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DC United: The Losada Experiment Starts on a High Note

By Collin Allison

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: Chris Seitz #1 of D.C. United celebrates after a game between New York City FC and D.C. United at Audi Field on April 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: Chris Seitz #1 of D.C. United celebrates after a game between New York City FC and D.C. United at Audi Field on April 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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The new era for DC United is off to a hot start. They picked up a 2-1 win over NYCFC in their opening game of the season. With two incredible goals from Brendan Hines-Ike and Russel Canouse, DC made the comeback to get the first win under Head Coach Hernán Losada.

Even though it’s just the first game, it’s a big win for DC United and Losada. In an offseason of incredible change for DC United, a new club president, a new general manager, and a new head coach with a new system, the win is a great sign the team is heading in the right direction.

https://twitter.com/dcunited/status/1384159854600724482?s=21

After that win, DC is riding high, but it didn’t begin that way. Losada’s first days with DC were a bit rocky. He was coming into a situation where he knew he was going to ask a lot from the people around him. He was going to ask a lot from the people above him, and even more from his players.

Shortly after getting acclimated with the team, Losada indicated multiple times that the teams’ health was not up to his standard… not even close. In a sit down with Pablo Maurer of the Athletic, Losada said “We’ve been working a lot on many things that we want to change and that we want to update on the field and off the field. Nutrition is probably number one. The way the players are living off the field and what they’re doing, when the sessions are finished and they go home, it’s very important … That’s our number one priority.

It was sort of a wake-up call for DC United, one that brought some nervousness or maybe self-doubt, but also one that brought a lot of excitement and hunger. Regardless of many things, it’s an upgrade, a necessary first step in the right direction. It’s raising the bar for DC United on what is acceptable. More discipline, more organization, and more accountability. All qualities you find in the best clubs, and DC United wants to be that.

How long can the experiment last?

As we speak, players are working tirelessly to get back into top shape. But this rapid change In fitness comes with some warning signs as well. The human body can only get into top shape so fast, and the constant high workload can really wear it down. Losada has already turned United into an all-out high pressing, fast attacking team. He wants DC United and his players to be the fittest in the league. For a team that played the same way for the last decade, in a not-so-structured system, that’s a big switch.

United is already a depleted team and one that is very familiar with injury. The health of the players could throw a wrench into Losada’s experiment at any moment. But Losada won’t, and can’t waste time. If certain players go down, there need to be fresh legs ready to replace them. Losada may find himself reaching deeper and deeper into the roster as the season goes on.

DC United has got off to a great start getting one of only two wins in the eastern conference.  Losada is establishing DC United as a team with an identity and a team that’s about winning.

Follow Collin Allison from ‘MLSMultiplex‘ on Twitter @MLSnutmeg

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