The only team to make two picks in the first phase of Major League Soccer’s Re-Entry Draft, D.C. United double-dipped to help a defense that allowed the league’s second-most goals. With the day’s first pick, the U.S. Open Cup champions took Sean Franklin from the LA Galaxy, and once their second pick came around, the Black and Red brought back one their down, tabbing now-former Houston Dynamo Bobby Boswell for a return to RFK Stadium.
Franklin was one of the most notable names on the Re-Entry Draft’s list, the 28-year-old’s $248,333 salary ($225,000 against the cap) making him expendable on a team that can move A.J. DeLaGarza to right back. Also able to play in midfield, Franklin looks like the likely starter to Boswell’s right, allowing Chris Korb to return to left back. For the first time in his MLS career, Franklin will be playing with someone other than the Galaxy, a team with whom he won two MLS Cups.
[MORE: MLS Re-Entry Draft: As predicted, Portland find a way to get Steve Zakuani]
Boswell started his career in D.C., where he was Defender of the Year and Best XI selection in 2006. The three-time U.S. international moved to Houston in 2008, eventually making 177 regular season appearances for the Dynamo. In 2011 and 2012, Boswell anchored defenses that helped Dom Kinnears’ sides to MLS Cup finals.
Together, the duo made$445,000 against the cap last season, prompting us to ask: What is D.C. getting for their money? With Franklin, they may not be getting the type of player who will challenge for All-Star (and national team) spots again, but they’ve picked up a consistent presence at right back – somebody who can fill the void created when D.C. sold Andy Najar. Franklin’s not the same kind of player, but he is somebody who can contribute in both facets of the game, something that will give his new, attack-starved team more options.
Boswell’s impact wil depend on which version D.C.’s acquired. If they get the player who was a standout in 2012, key to a defense en rout to a second straight appearance at MLS Cup, United will has addressed one of the team’s greatest lingering concerns. If, however, 2013 was a hint of what’s to come for the 30-year-old, Boswell’s return to D.C. will prove two years too late, his name adding to a growing list of solutions which really aren’t.
With only three wins last year, there’s lots of room for improvement in D.C., but for a team that only scored 22 goals in the regular season, it was interesting to see United go defense, defense. While there are number of other holes throughout Ben Olsen’s team, defense is often a place you can coach your way into solutions once you hit a talent threshold.
Today, D.C. United’s thrown at least $445,000 of their cap room at the problem. Whether the money would have been better used in attack will depend on what else happens this offseason.
Here are the full, first stage results of the Re-Entry Draft:
Round One
1. D.C. United – Sean Franklin, RB, LA Galaxy
2. Portland Timbers (from Chivas USA) – Steve Zakuani, LW, Seattle
6. Philadelphia Union – Corben Bone, M, Chicago
13. Colorado Rapids – Marc Burch, D/M, Seattle
Round Two
20. D.C. United – Bobby Boswell, D, Houston Dynamo
