What are Hernan Losada’s next steps for DC United?
After a winding, prolonged, head coaching search, DC United has, at last, found their guy Hernán Losada. It was an up and down search that had many names thrown into the hat. Many of those names vanished and new names sprang up in their place. Eventually, DC found their successor to Ben Olsen and chose the 38-year-old Argentinian from Belgiums Beerschot Wilrijk.
What to do with Paul?
Losada’s most pressing task will be to find out what to do with star-player and USMNT, Paul Arriola. Recent talks have been ongoing between championship side Swansea City and DC United over a potential move for the winger. Arriola is arguably the best player on DC United’s roster and one of their two designated players. Losing Arriola would be rough for the already depleted team.
There are pros and cons for both moves but it appears Arriola is keen on the move. There are options to sell, short term loan and then sell, or loan with a return to DC United. There are many routes to go down, Losada will need to think short term and long term what’s best for DC.
Add some firepower
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Losana will want to make an impression early but this is still basically the same team that finished 13th in the eastern conference last year, that fact gets even worse if you send away your star DP Arriola. DC needs new blood and they need it fast. Losada wasn’t too open on which areas he felt had the most need, but we can play psychic here and guess that’s its most areas.
Unfortunately, there are slim Pickens in free agency right now and the clock is winding down. Losana will need to get what he can in free agency then look inwards and focus on how to best incorporate the potential that already exists on the roster.
Get Flores going
Edison Flores was DC United’s big signing for the 2020 season, taking the second of the 3 DP spots. The season however didn’t pan out too well for Flores. He put in some poor showings and then was out for much of the season with a head injury. It will be a big priority for Losada to get him going.
Flores, a first-teamer for the Peruvian national team, plays winger and attacking midfield. For DC he played attacking midfielder, the number 10. Flores is still only 26 and early into his stint with DC, he has a lot to prove, and If Arriola leaves, he’ll be the only DP and will have even more responsibility.
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Now fully healthy again, Flores has the team on his shoulders, look for him to step up in a big way. Losada will need his number 10 to get back to high-level football if he’s wanting to get out of the cellar of the Eastern Conference.