New academy signings could help D.C. United in the long run

By now, there's practically nothing to smile about regarding the D.C. United's horrendous year. Sure there's a handful of meaningless friendlies they won, as well as a couple of U.S. Open Cup matches that they were expected to win.

Apart from those exceptions, the only bright spots have come from the United's youth players, primarily the Academy Players. These include the likes of Andy Najar and Bill Hamid, the first two academy players that signed contracts with the club.

The latest announcement is the signing of the towering 6'4'' Conor Shanosky, an 18-year-old DCU Academy prospect who has had experience with the United States U-20 squad, including be apart of the club's roster in the Milk Cup. 

While, he will not be eligible to play until the 2011 Major League Soccer campaign, given the track records of Hamid and Najar, this could be an extremely affordable benefit for an MLS club that's traditionally a top-notch club, and the position they're in is rather foreign to the club.

Shanosky can be beneficial because of the success of Najar and Hamid. Evidentially it's not that they're astounding world-class players, but both of them have broken into the starting XI for the club and have been making imidiate impact. Najar leads the club with three goals (with a club that only has tallied 13, that's not too bad). And Hamid's debut start was a 2-1 victory for the Black-and-Red.

Say that Shanosky breaks the first XI, he could help solve the midfield problem, and add more attacking for the club (which is practically nonexistent this season). 

That's hypothetical though, but this is good for the club, they're developing young, talented players that can help DCU become a strong force once again in MLS.