This time last year, none of us expected to hear the phrase "D.C. United forward Jairo Arrieta." But here we are. The Costa Rican joined the Black-and-Red last January via a surprise trade with Orlando City, who had taken the former Columbus Crew striker in the expansion draft. Despite our reasonable expectations that Arrieta would constitute nothing more than reasonable - if somewhat aged - depth, he hit the ground running, winning our player of the month award for March.
This hot start - netting two goals in the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals and an early-season game-winner against Montreal - was critical for United during Fabian Espindola's six-game suspension to start the season. But Arrieta would slow down, ending the season with five goals across all competitions. After starting the first six league games of the year, he didn't start a game after August 8 and didn't make it off the bench in United's final three regular season games.
But all that is prologue to the question at hand: Do we want Arrieta back in Black-and-Red for next year? We know that all of Fabian Espindola, Chris Rolfe and Alvaro Saborio will be returning for 2016, which probably leaves the 32-year-old no higher than fourth on the forward depth chart. This year, he earned $165,000 in guaranteed compensation.
So, what do we think? It's time to put on your GM hats and decide whether you'd like #19 back for next season. Vote in our poll, and let us know your thinking in the comments.