Today’s marks the start of the Suncoast Invitational preseason tournament, as D.C. United will take on the USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies. It’s the start of a stretch of three games in a week, as United once again wrap up preseason preparation in Florida. With just two weeks left until the start of the MLS season, there’s already a pretty good sense of what United will look like for 2019.

There was little turnover in the starting lineup for the Black-and-Red, while Lucas Rodriguez and Leonardo Jara joined on loan to make up for the departure of Yamil Asad and Nick DeLeon. Otherwise, United should line up on March 3 against Atlanta United just as they did at the end of the 2018 season.

Of course, there’s still plenty to pay attention for while United are in Florida. Here’s what we have our eye on ahead of the games against the Rowdies, Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact.

Getting Lucas Rodriguez Back Healthy

Titi, as he as known as, missed the last game of the first preseason trip against FC Cincinnati. Head coach Ben Olsen told FloFC on Friday that the Argentine attacker had picked up a strain in the first camp and would not play against the Rowdies. Rodriguez though, will resume full training on Monday and should see some playing time in the last two friendlies. 

That timing will give Rodriguez two full weeks to work with his new team in hopes of getting a start to open the season. But while he has been sidelined from fully participating in practice, it hasn’t stopped Titi from continuously integrating with his teammates.

“Even though he has picked up a knock, he’s here with the team, he’s still processing who we are, getting through the meetings,” Olsen told FloFC. “So when he does get back, we feel that it will be a fairly smooth transition.”

The biggest question surrounding a new player to the league, whether they are coming from abroad, or from college or a lower league in the U.S., is always how well and how quickly that player can adapt to playing in MLS. There are certain aspects of MLS, just as there are with every league around the world, that present unique challenges to players. There’s no certain way of predicting how a player can adapt, but from what Olsen has seen, Rodriguez has all the tools to make a quick impression in MLS.

“He’s a very good soccer player, his instincts are great,” added Olsen. “I don’t think he’s going to have that much trouble adapting to the league.”

Where Chris McCann fits in

United announced during the week that the veteran McCann had been claimed off of waivers from Atlanta United. Not a bad pickup, when you take McCann’s overall experience into account, to go along with his usefulness at several different positions on the field. But where will he fit in with United? Olsen had a little insight when he spoke to FloFC on Friday.

“He’s spent most of his career in the center of the park. So we know he understands that position. Fortunately for us, he’s also gotten some significant time at left back, which is a place where we need depth and competition.”

Joseph Mora is the returning starter for the Black-and-Red, having slowly come along after joining the club last March. There wasn’t a natural backup at the left back position though, so it looks like that might be where McCann is needed most. But with time also as a defensive midfielder and a center back, there’s a good chance that the Irishman could fill into either role reliably should he be called into action.

United have a lot of experience at most positions in the starting lineup, but it’s never a bad idea to bring in more experience for a locker room presence. And as Olsen noted, there’s the added benefit of acquiring a player who just won MLS Cup with the Five Stripes.

“He knows our league, and he has experience in other leagues. Another guy that has been around the block in the locker room helps,” said Olsen. “He’s also a winner. He’s coming from a team that just won the championship, that’s always a bonus.”

Any More Additions?

Olsen believes that his team is mostly set depth-wise heading into the season, but at the same time, there is still plenty of time to add players in the primary transfer window. That window lasts until May, so the wheeling and dealing of MLS clubs is far from over.

The rumor this past week was that Quincy Amarikwa would be brought in as the backup striker, a position that is not currently filled otherwise. Amarikwa was with the team training in the D.C. area, ahead of United making the deal. That move has not been made official yet, but if it comes to fruition, it would help United sort out the striker role beyond Wayne Rooney. 

What are the odds that United might continue to acquire players to fill out their roster?

“You never know,” Olsen said when asked if any more signings could happen. “There’s always a chance to pick up a player or two in the next couple of weeks, or even into the season. We like the group we have, we like our depth. We are looking forward in the next two weeks to fine-tuning who we are, and how we are going to go about this season.”