Until D.C. United becomes whole, until a long line of injured players return to active duty and settle into his system, Hernán Losada will continue mining his depth to fill gaps.
Points have been elusive since the stirring opener last month, and with United badly needing a lift Thursday, Losada turned to a reserve forward who filled in as an emergency defender this past weekend; to a midfielder making his MLS debut; and to a 17-year-old homegrown prospect who grows more comfortable as a professional by the week.
They provided the support for an undermanned squad and for an underperforming, marquee player in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Audi Field.