D.C. United Season Review: Jared Jeffrey

Jared Jeffrey played 10 games in 2014, and he played 10 in 2014, too. The difference, besides all the many, many differences between 2013 and 2014, is that Jeffrey started all 10 of those games in 2013 (even though he didn't join D.C. United until July), and he only started two of them this season.

With Perry Kitchen and Davy Arnaud locks in Ben Olsen's defensive midfield throughout 2014, it was tough for Jeffrey to break into the lineup for more than a few minutes (as a sub he never played more than a half). Jeffrey did see the field in CONCACAF Champions League play, though—he started three of DCU's four group stage games, all of which the Black-and-Red won. This brings us to Jeffrey's current, but useful, status on the roster: depth.

Jeffrey is a solid option to have on the bench and bring out for matches when some of the A-team is resting (hello, CCL). At 24, he's still young—which is more than can be said for Arnaud, who, should he return, is 34-going-on-35-going-on-retirement. There's time yet to develop a strong partnership between Kitchen and Jeffrey, if Olsen were to invest in that direction.

It wouldn't be a particularly costly investment, anyway. Jeffrey's base salary was $65,000 in 2014 ($71,200 guaranteed), which might seem a bit much considering how little he played, but it would be an absolute steal if he does start stepping into the starting lineup and making a difference. He's capable of it. If you want to entertain the idea of a young, all-American D.C. United, Jeffrey slots in nicely alongside Hamid, Birnbaum, Kemp, Kitchen, DeLeon, Doyle...I don't hate it.

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