For D.C. United defender Jalen Robinson, his season was similar to that of another lesser used player in midfielder Jared Jeffrey, with the slight difference where Jeffrey had played some first team minutes during the 2015 regular season, Robinson played none at all, and has not appeared in a regular season game since signing a Homegrown contract in January of 2014.
So like Jeffrey, the bulk of Robinson's minutes have been through other competitions. He played 16 games with the USL affiliate Richmond Kickers, starting 15, and had a goal and an assist to his campaign. He started both U.S. Open Cup games for the Black and Red, almost scoring in the first one against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and started all four CONCACAF Champions League games in the 2015-16 group play, with performances that were a mix of convincing and disappointing, punctuated by a turn at center back in the last match, a 3-3 draw against Montego Bay United. He appeared in this year's Homegrown Game at All-Star festivities in Denver and appeared in this year's Toulon Tournament in France for the United States U-23 squad.
While he's been playing elsewhere and getting minutes, that he's yet to appear for the Black and Red in the most superficial appearance does add to Ben Olsen's detriment when it comes to the discussion of playing one's kids. When the depth chart at right back for the first team appear to be Sean Franklin, Chris Korb, an out of position Steve Birnbaum and undrafted rookie Luke Mishu, that doesn't help matters, though whether Robinson is forcing the issue admittedly remains to be seen.
So, with all this in mind, let's ask the question: