Experts and coaches often speak of the importance of the spine of a soccer team. Former USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann said "Our team is defined in its spine." He was referring to the four or five most important players on a team and they tend to play centrally. The goalkeeper, one or more center backs, one or more midfielders and the center forward make up the spine of a team.
As the Union meet to begin their 2017 campaign their spine looks more like a question mark. It does starts very well with the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in Andre Blake.