Striking Options

While Joseph Ngwenya is not a name to get D.C. United fans off their seats, it’s a solid pick-up in a value-per-money league. The Zimbabwean is still trying to restart his career after an attempt at moving his career into Europe saw his name tied more to legal battles than time on the field. When he returned to Houston, where he had previously won a MLS Cup, he failed to make the same impact that many Houston fans had remembered him for, with only brief glimpses of skill in the Open Cup and Superliga.

Ngwenya only commands a salary of $72,000 next year for D.C. United. Still 29, Ngwenya has the speed to stretch back-lines that the team has missed since the Boyzzz Khumalo has left. The club felt the pains of a lack of striking options last year, and has not had a striker that can run at defenders in a long time. Ngwenya for that price is certainly worth the risk of finding out if he can return to the form he found pre-Europe.

This certainly should not be the last piece up front for D.C. It would be a massive risk to assume Ngwenya is a first or second choice striker right now for the club. I still feel United must make a splash either in the Second Round or on the international market to bolster the attacking line or it may be another long season of hopelessness in front of goal.

Category: DC United Team News