We look back on a lost season for United's homegrown playmaker.
One of the familiar refrains we've seen in the past few years regarding D.C. United is the idea that Ben Olsen is unwilling to give his youngsters enough playing time. I've never thought that was a completely valid argument. Perry Kitchen was installed as a starter immediately, and United has never wavered over whether Bill Hamid should be the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Nick DeLeon stepped into a starting role as a rookie under Olsen. Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp, and Conor Doyle also come to mind as young, inexperienced players that got time right away.