How does a team that set historic records for futility in 2013, and looked every bit the disappointing part, turn things around just one season later, finding themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference playing for the Supporters Shield? The DC United turnaround season has been spearheaded by a link to the team’s winning ways.
This year’s DC United team has looked like a completely different team from the one seen in 2013. There are a lot of reasons for the unlikely turnaround, including better play on the field from an influx of new veteran players, the growth and maturity from some of the team’s younger players, and one key piece….the return of center back Bobby Boswell. Boswell’s return to DC United after spending the past 6 seasons with the Houston Dynamo isn’t the main and only reason for DC’s incredible turnaround, however, it is a very important part of the team’s on field production this season.
Boswell fell in DC’s lap in 2005 when he went undrafted out of Florida International University and was signed as a discovery player by the team. His first season with the team was filled with a lot of ups and downs, typically expected from any first year player. His defensive prowess was certainly noticed, however, he also had the dubious honor of setting the MLS record for most own goals scored in a season with three. One season later, Boswell’s play improved to the point of becoming the MLS defensive player of the year while contributing to a team that would go on to win the first of two straight Supporters Shields. After the 2007 season, DC traded Boswell to the defending MLS Cup champions at the time, Houston, for backup goalkeeper Zach Wells. In his six seasons in Houston, the defender went to the playoffs five times, reaching the MLS Cup Final in 2011, only to lose to the David Beckham and Landon Donovan led LA Galaxy.
Boswell returned to the team this season and has led the team’s turnaround as the DC United captain. He is the only player on the team to have played in all of the team’s league games (27) and leads the team in minutes played (2,415). Outside of providing stability on the backline and keeping teammates organized, he has also provided one goal and two assists this season. His lone goal was an important one, as it was the go ahead goal at home v. FC Dallas in an eventual 4-1 win on April 26. It is hard to argue that one player, who is not a striker or goalie, can be the difference between a good team or a bad team, however, a quick look at DC’s record in the years that Boswell was on the team versus years he wasn’t are quite telling:
| Season | Place | Record | Points | GF | GA | GD |
| 2005 | 2nd Place in East | 17-7-8 | 59 | 55 | 37 | 18 |
| 2006 | Supporters Shield | 15-7-10 | 55 | 52 | 38 | 14 |
| 2007 | Supporters Shield | 16-7-7 | 55 | 56 | 34 | 22 |
| 2008 | 6th Place in East | 11-15-4 | 37 | 43 | 51 | -8 |
| 2009 | 4th Place in East | 9-8-13 | 40 | 43 | 44 | -1 |
| 2010 | Last Place in East | 6-20-4 | 22 | 21 | 47 | -26 |
| 2011 | 7th Place in East | 9-13-12 | 39 | 46 | 45 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2nd Place in East | 17-10-7 | 58 | 53 | 43 | 10 |
| 2013 | Last Place in East | 3-24-7 | 16 | 22 | 59 | -37 |
| 2014* | 1st Place in East | 14-8-5 | 47 | 42 | 30 | 12 |
The seasons in bold are the years without Boswell.
*Current season as of 9/7/14
The team gave up less than 40 goals in each of Boswell’s first three seasons with the team, when he was gone, the team allowed over 40 goals per season, including two seasons of allowing over 50 goals. While one player doesn’t a whole team make, let alone a defender, it is unquestionable that Boswell’s presence on the back line does give DC a more formidable looking back line than when he is not in it.
New players such as forwards Fabian Espindola and Eddie Johnson, along with midfield additions of Chris Rolfe and Davy Arnaud have certainly helped bring life back the team but Bobby Boswell has provided the heart.
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