Trialists abound as D.C. United opens camp

As D.C. United moves their preseason from indoor training in Washington, D.C. to the warmer weather of Bradenton, Fla., there are a number of trialist who will be with team. Typically, these trialists are shed as the preseason wears on, but often one or two will stick. So, besides Diego Restrepo, who are these trialists?

• Matt Van Oekel (G, Minnesota Stars): Van Oekel has played in 32 games in three years for the Minnesota Stars of NASL and played with the Minnesota Thunder before that. He was signed when former D.C. United goalkeeper Louis Crayton went down with an injury.
• Ryan Richter (M/F, Charleston Battery): If Ryan Richter's name sounds familiar, then you were paying close attention to trialists last season. Our new fearless leader thought that Richter would "be that guy who surprises us with how many minutes he's seeing at various positions." Richter ended up being the last trialist cut from camp last preseason, with Lewis Neal beating him out for the final roster spot.
• Demitrius Omphroy (D/M, Global FC): Omphroy is currently a player for Global FC, the current champions of the Philippines, and is also a player on the Philippines' National Team. In his youth career, he played for the US U-17s and Panama's U-21 team. He earned one cap with Toronto FC in 2011, who tried to convert him from right back to forward.
• Kyle Altman (D, Minnesota Stars): Altman is a centerback and the captain of the Minnesota Stars. He had a trial with the Portland Timbers last offseason, but returned to the Stars. This past season he was a member of the NASL Best XI. He also represented the United States in the 2009 Maccabiah Games.
• Joseph Nane (M, Colorado Rapids): Nane has played with both the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC after graduating from Old Dominion University in 2009, playing in 30 games. He was traded to Colorado for a third round pick after the 2010 season, and was made available in the most recent Re-Entry Draft, but was not taken.