Explosive offense makes D.C. the favorite

Editor's note: This is the ninth of 13 MLS team previews by ESPNsoccernet for the 2007 season.

2006 record and finish: 15-7-10 (first in Eastern Conference).

Tony Quinn/WireImage

Luciano Emilio could lead MLS in scoring in 2007.

Key additions: F Luciano Emilio, F Kasali Yinka Casal, GK Jay Nolly

Key losses: M Freddy Adu, F Alecko Eskandarian, M Matias Donnet, GK Nick Rimando, D Brandon Prideaux

Key questions facing the team:

1. How will DC United adjust to first-year head coach Tom Soehn?

The departure of Peter Nowak to the U.S. national team could have led to a detrimental shakeup in D.C., but the club was lucky enough to still have the services of Soehn, one of the league's most well-respected assistant coaches. His appointment as head coach has already led to a smooth transition, as evidenced by the team's successful run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

So how different are Soehn and Nowak? From a tactical standpoint, their philosophies are very similar, preferring the stylish soccer D.C. has become known for rather than direct long-ball soccer. The coaches are different, however, in terms of their approach to handling players. Nowak was more of a taskmaster whose fiery temper could grate on the players when things weren't going well. Soehn is regarded as less rigid and more even-tempered. The change could prove invaluable to a veteran group of D.C. players that may have begun to tire of Nowak's regimented setup.

You can also expect Soehn to be hungry for vindication. After applying unsuccessfully for head coaching jobs with Real Salt Lake, Colorado, Toronto FC and Dallas the past two years, Soehn will be eager to make the teams that passed on him pay dearly, even though missing out on those jobs could wind up being a blessing in disguise.

2. How good can Luciano Emilio be?

Those who have seen Emilio play in Champions Cup action can already see the skill the big Brazilian brings to the forward position, giving D.C. the type of target forward it hasn't boasted in years. Emilio combines size with great vision for a target player and has already shown that his style fits in perfectly with D.C.

How much of an impact can we expect from him? Projecting him to have a similar impact to the impact Carlos Ruiz had with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2001, when Ruiz scored 24 goals and led the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title, wouldn't be that farfetched. A tally of somewhere between 16-18 goals is probably more reasonable.

3. Is the defense good enough?

There is no doubt that D.C. will boast one of the league's best attacks. If there is a cause for concern, it is in the back, where a lack of depth and the continued erratic play of Argentine defender Facundo Erpen has fans pining for the days of Ryan Nelsen.

Bobby Boswell anchors the back line while Bryan Namoff provides a steadying influence. Together, Boswell, Erpen and Namoff combined for 85 of a possible 90 starts. D.C. will need that level of reliability once again considering the team's lack of depth in the back, a weakness made worse by the departure of Brandon Prideaux.

That lack of depth is also going to force D.C. to endure Erpen's bouts of wild inconsistency. If Erpen ever straightens himself out and plays more like the player who joined D.C. in 2005, D.C. will be tough for any team in MLS to beat.

4. How much does Jaime Moreno have left?

This might sound like an odd question of a player who just posted 11 goals and 10 assists in 2006, but it must still be asked, especially considering the way Moreno faded late last season.

Moreno turned 33 in January and his history of back troubles make him closer to 35. That and the loss of speed he has endured haven't prevented him from being one of the league's most dangerous players the past two seasons, but he looked less effective as 2006 wound down and hasn't been overly impressive in Champions Cup action.

The moves the club made this offseason should help Moreno last a bit longer. The presence of Emilio means Moreno won't have to take the beating up front that he has taken in recent years. The addition of Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva (aka Fred) also gives D.C. the type of depth in the attack that should allow Soehn to rest the Bolivian maestro.

Could this be Moreno's last season? It very well could be, especially if D.C. can win its sixth MLS Cup at RFK Stadium in November.

Biggest X factor: Fred

His full name is Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva, but you can call him Fred. The versatile Brazilian attacker flourished in the Australian professional league a year ago and has D.C. teammates gushing about his skills and speed. He may not be as good as the Lyon striker and Brazilian national team player of the same name, but Fred just might be the perfect piece to complete D.C. United's attacking puzzle.

Boasting quick feet, good speed and a deft passing touch, Fred is comfortable playing as a withdrawn forward, an attacking midfielder or on the right flank, where he is likely to start once he settles in. His versatility should mean fewer minutes for Moreno and Gomez, who will need the rest in a year when D.C. will have a busy schedule. A double-digit assist total is within his grasp.

Breakout player to watch: Kasali Yinka Casal

A one-time leading scorer for the Fulham reserve team, this Nigerian international has shown blazing speed and a good finishing touch that could make him the perfect supersub to bring off the bench in games D.C. needs a second-half boost. Just 19, Casal can play on either wing and has a chance to become a long-term option for D.C.

Another player who merits watching is second-year midfielder Justin Moose. A first-round draft pick in 2006, Moose played just one minute for the senior team, but he showed enough in reserve-team action and during this preseason to merit more minutes in 2007.

Outlook:

With apologies to the defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo, D.C. United must be considered the favorite to win the title in 2007. No team in MLS boasts its wealth of attacking riches, and Boswell and goalkeeper Troy Perkins give D.C. a respectable defense. Winning the Eastern Conference title should be surprisingly easy, with New England dealing with the loss of Clint Dempsey (and potentially Shalrie Joseph) and Chicago failing to make any impact additions this offseason.

For all the high-profile additions D.C. made, one of the most important moves was re-signing defensive midfielder Brian Carroll. His partnership with Ben Olsen is one of the reasons Christian Gomez is so successful, because their defensive work gives Gomez the freedom to create. The understanding Olsen and Carroll have would have been impossible to duplicate if Carroll had succeeded in his quest for a European contract.

If Emilio and Fred are as good as advertised, and if Moreno can give D.C. one more good season, look for D.C. to be lifting its fifth championship in 12 years in front of its home fans at RFK Stadium in November.

Ives Galarcep covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He is a writer and columnist for the Herald News (N.J.) and writes a blog, Soccer By Ives. He can be reached at Ivespn79@aol.com.