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It is trialist season in the District, with a number who have come and gone, and O'Brian Woodbine has come and gone and then come back again. In the past few days two new names have been added to the list of potential trialists: Kevin Osei and Syed Rahim Nabi.
Kevin Osei is a 22 year old midfielder who currently plays for Marseille in Ligue 1, but with only one cap so far for the senior team. He comes to D.C. United after a trial with C.S. Maritimo of the Portuguese first division and seems to be a right winger that can also play on the inside. Our need for him was higher before the signings of Collin Martin and Luis Silva, so even if he does come on trial he is unlikely to be signed. If Dave Kasper and Ben Olsen want to concentrate on young American players, that is fine, but then they cannot continue to sign young internationals as well; save those spots for veteran leadership in specific positions.
The other potential trialist is Syed Rahim Nabi, an Indian international wingback with over 60 caps. This trial is rumored to be coming in September and is reported to be a prospect for next season, not for this current one. Nabi was named the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year in December 2012. One reason he may be trying to go abroad is the current tumult in which the Indian soccer leagues find themselves; remember that players such as Robbie Fowler, Robert Pires, Fabio Cannavaro, and Santino Quaranta were signed to play in India before their league collapsed before a game was played.