DC United 2022 Preview

Previous Year Recap

The Black and Red entered 2021 with a new manager and a stated commitment to playing a more attacking style of football. After beginning the campaign with a heap of injuries at key positions and questions about the squad’s overall fitness, Hernán Losada’s “Maximum Overdrive” system finally found its footing in the summer. United were solidly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture in August, but by October they were out of steam and sputtering their way into the offseason. As the 2022 season opens fans should continue to expect to see United practice an entertaining and high-octane brand of football. Whether that football translates into MLS Fantasy dividends or points in the standings is, however, an open question.

Fantasy Players to Watch

Goalkeeper

Bill Hamid ($7M) remains the first-choice keeper for the club. His profile in MLS Fantasy has waned a bit over the past few years, but he’s still someone fantasy managers should keep an eye on if the matchup and/or keeperoo situation looks right.

Defenders

Veteran center-back Fred Brillant is gone but the majority of United’s 2021 defensive unit is back and, hopefully, healthy. I’ll be keeping my Fantasy focus on three players: Julian Gressel ($8.5M), Andy Najar ($6M) and Brad Smith ($6M).

Gressel made up for a lackluster 2020 campaign with a paycheck earning campaign in 2021. He’s been reclassified as a defender in the game this year which, given his potential for offensive production plus clean sheet points, makes his high price point easier to stomach. Najar started his career with United, won MLS Rookie of the Year in 2010 and couldn’t have scripted a much better return to the club than the one he had last season. He technically played right center back in Losada’s 3 back system but he spent much of his time bombing up the wing on attacking forays. Outside of Gressel, Ola Kamara and Kevin Paredes no player contributed more to United’s attack last season than Najar. 

Fantasy managers are familiar with the resume that Smith is bringing to the District from his time with the Seattle Sounders. He’s classified as a defender in the game, but he’s expected to slot directly into the attacking left wing back spot occupied last season by Paredes.

Midfielders

The United midfield has seen lots of change in the offseason and I don’t see much to recommend to fantasy managers at this point . Paul Arriola was sent to FC Dallas via a league-record $2 million GAM deal. Homegrown Paredes was transferred to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg for $7.35 million. Felipe Martins joined Austin FC as a free agent. Yamil Asad and Yordy Reyna have also moved on. The perpetually underrated Russell Canouse is back but he plays defensive midfield and is, therefore, useless to fantasy managers (except maybe on a double game week). DP Edison Flores also returns but his time in MLS has been underwhelming, at best. 

Forwards

United have spent a big chunk of offseason cash bolstering the attack with two high profile-ish signings. Greek international Taxi Fountas has been brought on as a DP, but he won’t join the club until the summer. Ecuadorian international Michael Estrada has arrived on a loan with option to purchase deal from Toluca and he scored a goal in the team’s final preseason tune up match against LA Galaxy on February 19. Golden Boot runner-up Ola Kamara ($9M) is set to return but he has been training on his own and hasn’t featured in preseason, reportedly because of health and safety protocol issues. Adrien Perez and Nigel Robertha are lurking further down the depth chart, but I don’t see either of them racking up consistent fantasy points any time soon.

Fantasy Expectations

Estrada is joining late in preseason so it’s uncertain how soon he’ll be making an impact in the attack. Smith has proven his Fantasy potential during his time in Seattle but I wouldn’t count on that potential materializing straight away in DC. Gressel and Najar both had strong seasons last year but I’m not yet convinced they’ll be able to carry that form forward in 2022. Flores is a wild card. Much of his time in DC has been impacted by COVID and injuries, but he’s reportedly been having a strong preseason. I’m going to be taking a wait and see attitude on the entire squad and encourage other fantasy managers to do the same. 

That being said, United’s first three matches of the season are against MLS newcomers Charlotte FC (home), reigning Wooden Spoon holders FC Cincinnati (away) and the underwhelming for over a decade Chicago Fire (home). On paper those all look like matchups where the Black and Red should come out on top so it might be wise to have a bit of United cover in your line up for those games, even if it’s only some bench/keeperoo plays.One final note: Keep your eyes on homegrowns Griffin Yow, Moses Nyeman and Theodore Ku-Dipietro (aka Teddy KDP). It wouldn’t surprise me at all if one of them had a Kevin Paredes-like breakout year this season. My money (and Matt Doyle’s) is on Nyeman.

Potential Starting XI