This morning it was announced that United would trade their spot in the allocation order for a 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick and Galaxy center back Kofi Opare. He is a product of the NCAA Collegiate system, as well as several third- and fourth-tier teams, having played for the Michigan Bucks and Detroit City FC. He was also loaned to the LA Galaxy II squad by his former club where he made five appearances. Opare is a 23 year-old draftee from the 2013 SuperDraft class out of the University of Michigan. At Michigan he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and the All-Big Ten Second team.
This season Opare has helped LA keep the Western Conference’s lowest goals allowed average at 0.94 per match. He is eligible to play for the American, Canadian, and Ghanaian national teams, and has joined the US under-20 side in previous matches. He is known among LA Galaxy fans for his speed, positioning, and strength, all of which are valuable assets for United moving forward. D.C. United were hurting for depth at the center back position after Jeff Parke was injured earlier this summer. He will bring to United’s defense something that has sorely been missing: speed. Paired up with Bobby Boswell, the Black and Red’s defense is that much more formidable. This signing should allow the midfield and attack to be unleashed from what has customarily been a bunker this season. It will be an important change of pace heading into the August stretch which will decide if United earn a decent playoff seed or risk not even making the postseason. D.C. cannot continue their good form by sitting back and defending; Eddie Johnson needs to start doing what he came here to do, which is to score goals. It is entirely possible that a reinforced defense will be willing to take more risks moving forward, allowing Johnson, Espindola, and Rolfe the ability to surge into the box and create good chances.
He is also dangerous on set pieces given his 6’2″ frame and strength. He may not start for the team as Steve Birnbaum has performed admirably in Parke’s absence, but the added depth will be crucial heading into CONCACAF Champions’ League play later this summer and the final stretch of the MLS season thereafter.
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