D.C. United’s first foray south for the winter, two weeks in Bradenton, Florida, came to a close this week after three friendly games. There was a 6-0 cakewalk against the US under-17 national team, a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union, and a 3-2 win over Swedish club Jönköpings Södra. All in all, a good trip.
Head coach Ben Olsen used the first camp to try out different combinations around the field, and to give a couple of guys some new looks at different positions. That was an opportunity afforded to him based on the amount of continuity in the team from 2016 to 2017.