These suggestions are not club altering, nor will they fix many of the problems DC United has, but they will improve the depth of the team, and maybe in conjunction with a bigger move when the transfer window opens up in January, help push DC United into the top echelon of MLS teams.
1) Grab a young player in the MLS End-of-Year Waiver Draft
Because DC United now has Loudoun United as a place to stockpile new talent, I think DC United should take a flyer on one of the following:
Lamar Batista - Centerback from LAFC
Tomas Hilliard-Arce - Centerback from LA Galaxy
Ebenezer Ofori - Center Midfield from NYCFC
Danilo Acosta - Leftback from Real Salt Lake
All of these are young players, who could continue to develop into players for DC United, and potential assets in the future.
2) Draft someone in the Re-Entry Process.
Stage 1 is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26, and there is a bit of talent to be found there. My first choice would be
Juan Agudelo - Center forward for the New England Revolution
Miguel Ibarra - Midfielder for the Minnesota Loons
Juan Agudelo has never lived up to his potential, but he is athletic and has a lot of talent. Bruce Arenas used him further back in the attack as more of a box to box midfielder this last year, with some pretty good results. I could see Agudelo being a jack-of-all-trades reserve off the bench.
Miguel Ibarra is tireless, and a total hustle player. He too would be a jack-of-all-trades reserve off the bench. Both Ibarra and Agudelo are Americans, so no need to worry about International roster spots, and could provide more options for the US Cup games.
3) Grab someone from the MLS Free Agency List
Again, not looking for someone who is a world beater, but looking to improve the depth and skill level of the team. Someone like:
Kelyn Rowe - Midfielder for Real Salt Lake
I still remember the 2017 Gold Cup when Rowe was tearing it up for the US Men's team. He is another excellent utility man, that DC United for use on either wing, as a No. 8, and as a number 10. I totally see Rowe as a Ben Olsen type of player, and someone backing up our DP number 10 while also keeping Arriola out on the wing where he belongs.
Sacha Kljestan - CAM for Orlando
Yes Kljestan is 34 years old, so we're not talking loads of minutes, but he is a true attacking center mid, who might provide nice minutes off the bench and the occasional start.
Benny Feilhaber - Midfielder for Sporting KC
See Sacha Kljestan above. Another player who is going to provide experience, and some grit off the bench.
Justin Meram - Left Wing for Atlanta
A few years younger than Kljestan and Feilhaber, he can play either wing position, and was pressed into service as a fullback for Atlanta. Still has really good pace, and again could be an ultimate utility man, and a potential back up for the right fullback.
What do you think?
Do any of these players interest you?
Who would you go after?