Going into the first game of the season against Queretaro, the biggest questions about D.C. United's roster focused on the center of the midfield. Despite numerous overtures from the club, Perry Kitchen decided during the winter that it was time for him to move on in hopes of advancing his career, while Davy Arnaud is seemingly on the verge of retirement due to lingering issues with a concussion.
Markus Halsti seemed poised to start in Mexico against Los Gallos in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal, so it was somewhat of a surprise when manager Ben Olsen trotted out Marcelo Sarvas and Nick DeLeon as his midfield pair.