When push comes to shove, DC United dabbles in the transfer market, but are these transfers really the solution for a team that seems to be falling apart from within? When looking at DC United’s recent additions, one can’t help but wonder: will these new faces turn the tide or are they just temporary solutions to much bigger problems?

Take Boris Enow, a defensive midfielder from Maccabi Netanya. He’s young, promising and built for the physical demands of midfield play. But is he the miracle DC United desperately needs? Frankly, that sounds a bit overly optimistic. The reality tells a different story. The fact that Enow could end up in the starting lineup, especially if Matti Peltola moves to the back line, says more about the fragility of the squad than the player’s ability. When a supposed reserve suddenly becomes a contender for a starting position, it’s a clear warning sign that something has gone terribly wrong.

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Don’t get me wrong. Enow’s arrival could be seen as a serious attempt to stabilize the midfield, but let’s face it – he is not the one who is going to turn this team around. Enow is one of those players who quietly slips in through the back door and is brought in to solve short-term problems. He might hold things together for a while, but he is not the backbone this team desperately needs.

Moving on to the other new signings: David Schnegg from Sturm Graz and Dom Badji, who was signed on a free transfer. Sure, they’re good players, but what do we really expect from them? Once again, it feels like DC United is playing the “putting things on the back burner” game, where the idea is to delay solving core problems until it’s too late. The truth is, these guys were brought in to fill out the roster rather than revolutionize the style of play or have a major impact. What DC United needed were targeted reinforcements, but instead they’ve added depth in areas that probably didn’t need it as much.

And then there’s the retirement of Steve Birnbaum, one of the defensive cornerstones of this team. Birnbaum wasn’t the most flashy goal scorer or one to collect assists, but he did what was needed: commanded respect at the back and kept the defense organized. His departure leaves a gaping hole, and let’s face it, none of the recent additions are going to fill that void.

Upon closer inspection, it’s obvious that DC United’s management is trying to patch up a structure that’s already full of cracks. And the million-dollar question remains: How long will those patches last before everything finally falls apart? Instead of making hasty signings without a clear plan, perhaps DC United should focus on developing the talent they already have, fixing the tactical errors that have plagued them, and giving those new players time to integrate naturally into the team.

Expecting deep-rooted structural problems to be fixed with quick and makeshift solutions is wishful thinking at best. Unfortunately, DC United appears to be falling into that trap. Sure, Boris Enow could use his physicality and defensive skills to stop the bleeding in midfield. But soccer is a team sport – it can’t do everything alone. Without a solid defense, a creative attack, and management with strategic vision, DC United is in for another frustrating season.