Head Coach Curt Onalfo was fired by D.C. United this morning, being relieved of his duties during what has become an awful season for the black and red. Onalfo has been replaced for the remainder of the season by the former United megastar, Ben Olsen.
When a team is 3-12-3 on a season in the beginning of August something has to change. Usually by that point the easiest thing for a team to do, and the "right" answer, is to swap out the coach for someone new. Usually the hope is that a new energy or a new vibe will spark things around the locker room and the team will be rejuvenated and ready to turn things around.
That will not be the case for this D.C. United team.
United have scored twelve goals this season. Twelve. In eighteen games a professional soccer team has only managed twelve goals while opponents have throttled them with 31 goals. That is not coaching. The simple answer, and the correct answer, is that DC does not have the players to compete at this level.
United's leading scorer in league play has three goals. But United is not losing solely because of offense (although it sure seems like it). The defense has been putrid. The back line for the black and red usually looks lost and can't keep up with even mediocre players. And while the defense has been shaky at best, Troy Perkins has to be better in goal. No team is going to compete for a playoff spot when the keeper has a save percentage of 66. Since coming in Perkins has only won one game. Not exactly what the team is looking for.
While a coaching change is a move that may look good on the surface, showing that management are trying to change something to win, in reality, it is a shallow move. The real answer will come this off-season. If the black and red want to compete in 2011 they will need to add or bring up players ready to make an impact.
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