Cake or Death? Turning our attention to the coaching staff with Preston Burpo

We've made it through the entire player roster that ended D.C. United's miserable 2013 campaign, but we're not done with Cake or Death. Not yet. We've still got five days of voting to go because - as requested very early in the process of evaluating the Black-and-Red roster this offseason - we've still got to have our say on the coaches. We're going to work our way up the ladder, starting today with goalkeepers coach Preston Burpo.

2013 was Burpo's first year with United, whom he joined from the staff of the Montreal Impact, where he spent 2012 after retiring from his playing days with the New England Revolution in 2010. He, of course, succeeded Pat Onstad, who left to return to his native Canada as a scout with Toronto FC. We aren't in practice every day, so we can't really judge Burpo's methods or demanor - all we can do is look at Bill Hamid, Joe Willis and Andrew Dykstra and glean Burpo's influence from their play. Dykstra, of course, was the best 'keeper in USL Pro this year, while Hamid and Willis each had standout performances of their own, mixed in with some less auspicious appearances.

So, what do we give Burpo? If you think he should keep his position going into next season, vote for cake. If not, death. I will say, don't make this about Onstad, who has earned much praise in this particular corner of the internet for the growth we saw from Hamid last year. He's gone, and we shouldn't expect him to come back. Vote only based on your perception of Burpo. And then have it out in the comments.