Cake or Death? Working up the coaching ladder with D.C. United top assistant Chad Ashton

Chad Ashton joined the coaching staff of D.C. United back in 2007, during the reign of Tom Soehn. When Soehn's contract was allowed to expire following the 2009 season, Ashton stayed onboard under the short term of Curt Onalfo and then under Ben Olsen. Before coming to RFK, Ashton was the head coach at the University of Denver, a position he actually held briefly in 1995 before deciding to rekindle his playing career with the fledgling Dallas Burn and ultimately returning to again lead the Pioneers after his retirement as a player.

I think the general public understanding is that Ashton is Olsen's chief assistant, acting as stand-in head coach when Olsen is suspended and helping to devise the tactical game plans for each game. Having watched a few training sessions in person, I can vouch that Ashton is very involved in the instruction side of things, working with players to help them understand where they should be on the field and what they should be looking for in the team's system.

So now we decide whether we, as fans of D.C. United, think Ashton should return for an eighth season on the RFK sideline. If you think he should be back for 2014, give him cake. If not, then death. And, of course, share your thoughts down in the comments, too.