Senior roster (20 spots)
1.Burch
2.Crayton
3.Doe
4.Emilio
5.Fred
6.Gomez
7.Jacobson
8.Jakovic
9.Janicki
10.Khumalo
11.McTavish
12.Moreno
13.N’Silu
14.Namoff
15.Olsen
16.Peters
17.Pontius
18.Quaranta
19.Simms
20. ?

Developmentals
21.Wallace
22.Barklage
23.Miller
24.Kocic

Now, there is one final battlemodo to go on here. The choice is between James Thorpe and Nic Platter. The team has to decide if they think Thorpe is worth a senior roster spot (maybe), or if they’d rather go with Platter. The team appears destined to carry three keepers because of their uncertainty with Crayton’s contract situation. This team does not look like an MLS champion, but I would have said the same about Columbus last year.

What do you think of the way the roster has shaken out?

First, coming in. DCU has signed Dejan Jakovic from Red Star Belgrade, in a real, honest to god transfer. It’s like MLS is a real league and everything!
Some info about Mr. Jakovic:

All of this according to Wiki and Goff, Jakovic, who was born in Croatia, and has been capped by the Canadian National Team (as a side note, we’ve replaced our quota of one real National Team player since Guerrero was shown the exit). He made three appearances for Red Star, but following a coaching change, he had struggled to find any playing time. It appears that Kasper envisions him as the starting CB, with the commanding presence that the team missed last year. At 23, that’s a curious statement. But what it most certainly does is relegate either McTavish or Janecki to the bench. That’s something to watch for as the season draws closer.

A player that I enjoyed watching, Mike Zaher, was released. Largely a victim of the numbers game and the depth at left back, Zaher looks to find a USL team on the west coast to latch on to. I liked Zaher’s crossing ability, and general stability in the LB spot. He had some shaky moments last year, especially in CONCACAF, but it would have been nice to have had the luxury of having a player like him in the reserves. One can only hope that a new collective bargaining agreement will both increase the salary cap, as well as restore the roster sizes and reinstate the reserve division.

Apparently, Milos Kocic has received European offers and he is considering them. The team has decided that Nic Platter, from USL1 Minnesota, will be the backup, with Kocic and Thorpe battling it out for a poverty contract. Personally, if I were Kocic, I’d be outtie 5000. If he does, DC should keep an eye on him. What this also appears to state is that Crayton will be extended, because I have a hard time believing that Nic Platter will start for DC United in late season games.

Ryan Miller signed a developmental contract. He played in two CONCACAF games, and I don’t remember being impressed. He looks to be depth at RB and MF filler. Good luck to him.

This reminds me. After watching the Houston and Montreal CONCACAF games, it made me think about CONCACAF Champions League.

I really want to win it. Badly. I know its a new tournament with no history, but I gotta tell you, compared to the US Open Cup or Superliga, CONCACAF is a lot more exciting. Also, Montreal needs a team yesterday. That was phenomenal. I hope next year we aren’t playing our scrubs in these important games.

The beginning of the 2009 MLS Campaign begins today, with light jogging and some stretching. I couldn’t be happier.

Here’s the entire scoop on the preseason for DCU.

Today, they are practicing at the RFK turf field. A number of players are not in camp, most notably among them is Marcelo Gallardo. Gallardo was given permission by the team to stay in Argentina to continue to rehab until next week. Coincidentally, this is also when DC will leave cold Washington to head to Sunny Florida. Kind of a jerk move, Marcelo. You haven’t exactly earned these privileges yet.

Also not in camp, and not on the roster are Quavas Kirk (good riddance), Ryan Cordiero (that’s unfortunate), and Pat Carroll (ehh). Ivan Guerrero continues to train with the Honduras National team, and is reportedly in great shape.

Kyle Veris, a former Galaxy defender (an oxymoron if ever there was one) is on trial with DC, and draft pick Lyle Adams (who seems to be the shiz) is deciding whether or not he wants to play for a pittance.

That’s all the news I have for now. As I read new stuff, it shall appear here.

I’m pumped, people.

Best new ever alert? Ben Olsen is out on the field, and “moving around well” according to Goff. My soccer heart is atwitter.

Here from Behind the Badge is the schedule for the whole preseason.

D.C. United 2009 Preseason Schedule (all times EST):
January 22 – February 2: Washington, DC

February 3 – February 11: Bradenton, Fla.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Match vs. Columbus Crew

February 12 – February 17: Washington, DC

February 18 – February 25: TBD
February 25 – March 4: Washington, DC

March 5 – March 15: Charleston, SC
Saturday, March 7: Match vs. Real Salt Lake (5 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 11: Match vs. Toronto FC (5 p.m.)
Saturday, March 14: Match vs. Charleston (7:15 p.m.)

March 16-18: Washington, DC

March 22: DCU @ LA Galaxy