The season isn't really over (yet). But the issues that were pretty evident before the break were mostly on display again tonight at Seattle, and I feel like there are some clear-cut questions that Ben Olsen and his staff need to get answered. Soon, ideally, but certainly by the end of the season.

1. Who plays Defensive Mid, because Marecelo can't keep being the answer. I know Chris Durkin is suposed to be the long-term answer to this question, but DCU seems content to play him in Richmond until he goes to India for the U-17 WC in October, and it will be kind of late to be making a major change since he'll only be back for the last few regular season games if any. And next season he'll still only be 18 or 19 years old. D-Mid is a position where being full-grown phyiscally and a bit more developed mentally are both important in MLS. So who is the answer? Is it Rob Vincent? Is it Jared Jeffery (probably not)? Is it Eryk Williamson (assuming he's ready to sign a Home Grown Deal) Am I under-estimating Durkin, is it him? Is it someone else? It can't be Marcelo.

2. Who is the best partner for Birnbaum? Kofi Opare has looked good at times and is certainly an upgrade over Boswell at this point, but I can't tell if the number of goals DCU is shipping is a back line problem or more of a not defending well in the mid-field problem or both.

3. What to do about Lloyd Sam? He's getting old, he's expensive, and he really doesn't put in enough defensive work given his position and our shape. You could forgive that last fall when the offense was clicking and the D was solid, but the last 30 or so minutes tonight it was REALLY evident that he's a serious liability defensively. I've been assuming he won't be back next year, but I'm also assuming that about Sebastien LeToux and possibly Lamar Neagle, so who is the answer at Right Mid? Is it a hopefully healthy Nick DeLeon? Is it Deshorn Brown once Mullins is healthy? If it's Brown, what does that mean for our depth at striker?

3a. Mostly the same question about Nyarko. He's showing a bit more defensively, but not quite enough, and he's fragile. Where's the heir apparent? Where's the depth?

4. Where is the leadership on the field? Since Boswell has gotten (rightfully) banished to the bench, DCU has looked listless and lost too much. Too much marking space not men. Too much not hustling back to defend when we need it. Too disconnected and too flat. Where is the on-filed leadership? Who will take up the mantle worn in their times by Ben Olsen, by Ryan Nelson? We can't go into another season with this lack of identity and focus on the field.

Basically, this season is looking kind of lost. I'm ready to start driving the "play the kids, trade or sit anyone we don't think is back next season" band wagon so the Coaching Staff can figure as much out as possible going into what will probably need to be a very busy off season.