DC United have truly hit rock bottom with another loss in Nashville
DC United continued its downward spiral on Wednesday night, losing to Nashville at Nissan Stadium in a 1-0 defeat. Going into the game DC had some optimism, they welcomed back starting center-back and USMNT Steve Birnbaum, as well as midfielder Russell Canouse. Unfortunately for Canouse, he got his second yellow card in the 45th minute and was removed from the game.
Playing with only 10 men for the entire second half DC United couldn’t hold out and gave up what would go onto be the deciding goal to Daniel Rios in the 70th minute. The defeat dropped DC United to dead last in the eastern conference at 14th place, with ten games to go.
November can’t come fast enough for DC as this continues to be a season to forget. But as disappointing as the season is, there’s still time left on the calendar and games to be played. DC United still have moves they can make to get the most out of this lost season and put themselves in a better position going forward.
Embracing the youth during rock bottom
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Another bright spot for DC has been its recent push for youth contribution. The severely depleted DC side has forced Olsen to reach deeper into his roster to give the kids some playing time. And it has gone great.
Kevin Paredes, Griffin Yow, Moses Nyeman have all seen a lot of playing time where they would have otherwise not. In that time the kids not only proved that they belong, but they can be difference makers.
In only his 6th appearance Griffin Yow got his first goal, and it was an 80th-minute game-tying volley. At only 16, Nyeman made his third appearance for the DC first team against Nashville coming on at the start of the second half.
If DC continues this trend if will be very beneficial to the kids’ growth and set them up to be better players and more prepared when the 2021 season starts.
A managerial change needs to happen
The most obvious one and the one that’s been on the table for a very long time. Letting go of Ben Olsen. Olsen is currently the longest-tenured coach in the league, and his track record does not reflect that statement.
The same year Olsen was hired, President Obama was finishing his first year in office. The same year Olsen was hired, the first iPad was released. The same year Olsen was hired, a very public apology from Tiger Woods rocked the country. Needless to say, Ben Olsen has been coaching DC united a long time.
In that time DC has been good and bad, but mostly bad. They made just 4 playoff appearances and won the U.S. Open cup in 2013. They went through an exciting period with Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta not too long ago but times have changed and those players are gone. It’s time for DC United to find a new manager.