Payne Leaving DC United

Everything happens for a reason right?  Today DC United announced that President and CEO Kevin Payne is stepping down to take a similar position with Toronto FC.  

So what is the reason for Payne leaving is the question that has to be asked.  I think the reason can be found in Payne's own quote for the release:

“For me, D.C. United has been like my child. We brought the team into the D.C. and national sports world 17 years ago and every day since – good and bad – has been a labor of love. This team has provided many great memories of championships and historic accomplishments, but I will best remember the people I've had the chance to meet, to work with, strive with, celebrate with, and sometimes to share disappointment with.

“To the players, coaches, co-workers and fans, I can only say thank you so much for the great privilege of having been part of the D.C. United family. It’s very difficult for me to express how I have felt, and still feel, about all of you."

When a child reaches a certain age, you have to let him or her go.  Payne can't exactly break DC United's dinner plate or throw its belongings into Lot 8 at RFK Stadium.  But I think he can step down, and let his child grow on its own.  

Looking back on Payne's tenure, perhaps there are only two things I would consider failures.  The first and most obvious is the lack of a stadium.  To be sure, navigating the shifting political grounds of the District of Columbia government is no easy feat, compounded by government personnel who may not be the "cleanest" shall we say.  But during a time when DC United was the most successful team in the DC sports landscape, it is hard to overlook the fact that DC is still playing in a 40 year old relic of a stadium and paying way too much money to do so.

Second failing of DC United is a little less noticeable.  Under Payne's watch, DC United has struggled with finding quality DP's and top tier veterans.  With the exception of Dwayne DeRosario, a very know quality player in the MLS, DC United has not been able to adequately find Designated Players worth the money being spent for their services.  The past five years have been largely a failure in that regard.  

But there have been some very good facets of DC United under Payne.  First, I think that the relationship between the front office and the fans is solid.  While the front office does not defer to fans in terms of decisions, the supporters groups have generally found at least an opportunity to be heard.  In the end, there is not much more that can be asked for.  

I know that all MLS clubs are active in their communities, but I just feel like DC United has gone above and beyond in such regard.  While players and clubs are contractually required to make public appearances and perform charitable work, the efforts made by the club and players appears genuine.  

Finally, I believe that DC United under Payne has done a wonderful job promoting the game of soccer in the area.  True, DC United has benefited with quality home grown players like Bill Hamid and Andy Najar.  But the club is expanding its Academy programs and I believe that the next logical step for the club will be a residency academy for players at the U16 and U 18 levels.  But Payne lead the effort to integrate the academy and the First Team in a farsighted effort that means that the club is starting to benefit from its academy system directly.  

So as Payne moves on to the troubled child of Toronto, I think he can fairly say that he leaves DC United poised for more success.  It may be hard to leave a child on its own, but Payne can take pride that he has done all he could do to prepare the club to succeed on its own.

So, as a former sailor, Fair Winds and Following Seas, Kevin.  Thanks for the memories.

In Defense of Mark Geiger

Referees are the participants in a soccer game that everyone loves to hate.  Let's face it, even the most experienced people in the game usually find something to criticize about referees.  Whether it was Graham Poll and his infamous three yellow card performance in the 2006 World Cup or Howard Webb's complete failure to see Nigel De Jong's kung fu kick to the chest in the 2010 World Cup final, fans, players, coaches, pundits and even other referees always find something to complain about when it comes to refereeing.

There has been a great deal written about the DC United-Philadelphia Union match from Sunday, I have had a chance to sit and think about a few things when it comes to the performance of referee Mark Geiger.  NCB Sports announcer Arlo White repeatedly said the this was Geiger's 100 match as a MLS referee.  Geiger was also the U.S. and CONCACAF representative to the London Olympic Games.  So, let's get one thing off the table right now--Geiger is an experienced referee.  He is not foolish, he is not a bad referee.  

Did Geiger have a bad night?  I would say yes and no.  Everyone is going to look at the final 10-15 minutes of the match and wonder what happened.  There have been all kinds of stats being thrown out regarding Geiger's penchant for reaching for the pocket and pulling the red card.  For example, the aforementioned Arlo White tweeted that Geiger has awarded 10 red cards in 12 MLS matches and two during the Olympics.  Now assuming that is accurate (and I have no reason to doubt White's statistical information) the question becomes what were the circumstances in which Geiger awarded red cards.  Just a couple of quick notes on some of those 10 red cards in 12 MLS games this year:

May 12, 2012--Chivas USA v. L.A. Galaxy--red card awarded to David Junior Lopes for denial of a goal scoring opportunity by use of hands (DOGSO-H).  That is a straight red card and was clearly warranted.

June 16, 2012--Montreal Impact v. Seattle Sounders--Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado received a straight red for a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity when Hurtado hacked down Montreal's Collen Warner as Warner was about to enter the penalty area for a strike on goal.  

July 7, 2012--Real Salt Lake v. Portland Timbers.  Portland's Diego Chara received a red card for DOGSO-H when he used his hands to prevent Alvarao Saborio's header from going in the goal in the 73rd minute.

So let's talk about Sunday night's three red card tally.  The scuffle that earned DC United's Branko Boskovic his marching orders was not shown on TV and I haven't seen other video.  But it seems to me that Gieger and his Assistant Referee did talk about it.  What is surprising is that Philadelphia's Roger Torres only got a yellow card.  However, if Boskovic threw a punch, whether he connected or not, is violent conduct and deserves a sending off.  The MLS Box score says that Boskovic got sent off for "Argument."  Dissent is not a red card offensive, but foul and abusive language is.  So perhaps that is what the card was for.  In either event, foul or abusive language or violent conduct, per the Laws of the Game, it is a red card offense.

United's Emilio Dudar was sent off for a harsh challenge late in the game.  Dudar came in from behind, with his studs up.  This was not a case of Dudar clattering into an opponent while on his feet or a reckless studs up challenge from the front or the side.  This "challenge" came from behind.  The Laws of the Game contain three levels of fouls.  

“Careless” means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution. No further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless

“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent. A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned

“Using excessive force” means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent. A player who uses excessive force must be sent off 

In the opinion of Geiger, Dudar's foul used excessive force and endangered the safety of his opponent.  Red card.

On commentator decided to pick apart Geiger's performance, casting doubt on Geiger's performance early in the game, particularly the 37th minute yellow card against Sheanon Williams for "Time wasting."  First there is no such think, it is called "Delaying the Restart of Play."  Now, Geiger is pretty good, but while he was correct within the laws of the game, I think he made a mistake here.  He was too quick with the yellow card, but DC United Coach Ben Olsen was standing right behind Williams complaining about it.  Williams was slowly walking down the pitch and took his sweet time take the throw in.  It was a call within the laws of the game. The problem was that the Williams yellow card probably weighed on Geiger's mind, which is probably what Union midfielder was still in the game after the about the 60th minute.  LaHoud committed a harsh tackle in the 44th minute and got booked for it.  But in the second half, Geiger gave LaHoud a number of talks after fouls which were yellow card worthy.  But Geiger kept him in the game.

People talk about common sense among referees and in fact in training, referees are called upon to rely on Law 18--common sense--when officiating games.  But really what Geiger's problem was not a lack of common sense but a lack of consistency.  He was not consistent in his application of the laws of the game.  He could have, and probably should have, sent off  players (LaHoud in particular) a lot sooner.

But here is the defense Geiger and all those people talking the performance of referees.  Unless you have refereed a game, you can have no idea how fast you have to make decisions.  A referee has at best two seconds to see a play, determine if there is a foul, what foul it is, whether to apply advantage, call a foul and whether circumstances warrant the issuance of a card.  A referee must do this dozens of times a game.  A referee does not have the luxury of instant replay, he must rely upon his eyes, his judgment and the assistance of his assistant referees and fourth official.

In all likelihood, the most critical review of Geiger's performance will come from Geiger himself.  He is a professional, he will examine his performance and look for ways to improve.    Before we line up to figuratively lynch Geiger, maybe we should take a long hard look at the players themselves.  In the end, no referee "gives" a red card, every player who is sent off "earned" that red card.

Baltimore and Maryland Take Next Step on Possible DC United Stadium in Charm City

via PressBox.

Hey D.C. City Council---you're gonna screw this up.  You are going to let one of the most successful sports teams in the DC Market go cause you can't get your head out of your a**.

High Risk-High Reward for Davies, MLS and DC United

The news that Charlie Davies was coming to the United States for a week long evaluation/trial with DC United was met with hope and excitment by this DC United Fan. There are other Black & Red Supporters who are less than thrilled, wondering if Davies has resolved his off-field problems. Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy, has a pretty good piece on the complications that DC United, MLS and Davies face in the potential deal. McCarthy sees a little more grey skies in the deal, but realistic grey, but this potential move is a high risk/high reward situation for Davies, DC United and Ben Olsen, and MLS.

Mostly Upside for Davies

It is not nearly as complicated for Davies. A number of people wonder about the wisdom of Davies coming to DC considering that RFK is about 4 miles (as the crow flies) from where his fatal car crash took place. While some people might flinch at the idea, I think Davies is playing this one pretty smart. Coming to DC United and playing well will allow him to put the ghosts of that night behind him. I don't think he will ever forget the impact it has had on his life and career (who would be able to), but confronting the problem head on shows a maturity about the incident that should be lauded.

That is not to say that he won't carry some risk. Failure at trial will pretty much end his thus far rising European career and he will have to suffer the ignominy of stepping down in stature and possible end his hopes of a national team career for the next year or so. It will also likely mean that he will, at best, be playing for the Sochaux reserves for the next six months as the European transfer window is closed, making a move now more difficult. He will also face some pretty intense media/fan scrutiny. But I believe that Davies is ready for that and has surely considered his options well.

The biggest risk for Davies is that if DC United, with their well-known striking woes, takes a pass on Davies the question becomes will any MLS side take a chance on him. I could see some teams willing to do so--Columbus for example.

But the reward is significant.  As for his playing and potentially resurgent national team career, a move to a "summer league" is all but necessary. Davies will not be getting playing time for Sochaux's first team anytime soon. With the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer and World Cup qualifying beginning next year, playing for an MLS side, and playing well, will get Davies back on Bob Bradley's radar screen. Given that MLSers comprised 50% of the strike force for the U.S. World Cup squad, Bradley clearly does not consider MLS strikers to be inferior. But also, playing regularly for an MLS side will be the best step to getting back in good graces with his primary employer, Sochaux or a Europoean side willing to pay Sochaux a modest transfer fee. While there is little risk for Davies, other than the media/fan cauldron, there is much reward possible for Davies. His desire to get back to the national team will ensure that he takes this chance well.

MLS' Risks are Structural

For everyone howling (and I hear you guys up in New England), DC United is tops in the allocation order for returning national team players so United has the right of first refusal. But the primary risk for MLS is that this potential loan move may break the rules that MLS has established for itself. Typically, MLS takes loans only with a potential for a buyout at the end of the loan. I don't know if Davies wants that or Sochaux for that matter. If Davies performs, Sochaux will want him back next January. The details of the loan move seem to indicate that there is no potential buyout clause, although almost certainly from a business standpoint that would be possible. The problem with that is that as a normal rule, MLS doesn't pay transfer fees or doesn't pay significant transfer fees and I believe Davies' Sochaux contract runs until 2013, which means if MLS wants Davies to stay, they will have to pay a more significant transfer fee.

While the paying of a transfer fee would be something new, it is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. MLS has visions of being a top league and that can't happen if MLS remains absolutely unwilling to bring world class players in on anything other than a free transfer. The possible change in policy clearly impacts the league's economic structure and Don Garber and the owners would have to be very careful and very, very judicious about setting the precedent and controlling the number of times a transfer fee is paid and the size of the transfer fee.

McCarthy does point out another problem. Davies wages are probably higher than the maximum non-DP salary in the league of $335,000 per year. Unless Sochaux is picking up part of the bill or Davies is taking a pay cut, MLS owners have got to be feeling a little worried about the precedent. I suspect that if Davies is truly committed to the idea, he might take the pay cut for a year. It is not like he is hurting on a $335,000 salary. By the way, I think DC United's salary cap can accommodate Davies max non-DP salary.

But at the same time, a successful Davies loan spell might entice a number of young American players who have suffered either career stagnation and/or long-term injury to return to the MLS, get some quality playing time and help revive their careers. From a league marketing perspective that is not a bad thing, having someone of Davies stature in the hearts and minds of American fans, if not as a player right now, can't help but get bodies in the buildings, if for nothing else but a chance to see the old Charlie work some magic.

DC United and Ben Olsen

Olsen and the United front office are in the midst of rebuilding the DC United squad. Olsen, Dave Kasper and Kevin Payne haven't called it that (at least not publicly) but that is what is happening. The signing of Jospeh Ngwenya and Josh Wolff, two veteran MLS strikers, should find DC United 15 to 20 goals, but not much more than that. A healthy Davies is a legitimate 15 goal striker if he works out. That is the risk for United. But Davies fits in with what Olsen & Co. have been building, a striker corps with some speed, unlike last year with Jaime Moreno's aging legs, Danny Allsop and Adam Christman--three strikers not know for any kind of pace.

Olsen is going to get something of a pass from the fans this year, given his history with the club, but too many risks like Davies that don't pan out is not going to help him any with the front office. Kasper and Payne must already be under scrutiny, as their off-season dealing this year has been much smarter than past years. But the attention that will come with a Davies signing might be truly intense, both from MLS who will want success, but also from the Black & Red faithful. The risk is that if Davies comes to United, and plays well in the early season, United could see Davies on national team duty during the Gold Cup, in the heart of the season. So United bring in a risky striker, get rewarded with Davies renaissance only to see him gone in the summer doldrums for National Team duty. That could be hard to swallow from a fan perspective.

So if United bring Davies on, he almost has to start or be the first off the bench given the financial investment, and that bears some potential resentment from other United players. United can't bring Davies in on that salary number and then have him riding the pine or playing with the reserves. Wolff might be professional enough to understand, but I could imagine Chris Pontius, Ngwenya or Andy Najar not seeing the situation is such a light. So there is the possibility of dressing room a club like United doesn't need this year. Four years out of the playoffs and there is pressure to make the post-season. Dressing room dissension is not going to help in that campaign and will test a young coach like Olsen.

But the potential reward for United is big. A return to the exciting soccer that electrified United fans previously, with goals being scored and a dynamic attack. The Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles and the casual fan would make the crumbling RFK the difficult place to play it used to be. After years of declining attendance, United could see its attendance numbers climb back up into the 20,000 per game range, making the demand for a stadium that much stronger. DC United would be back on the track that won them so many trophies so many years ago.

Yes, Davies to DC United is exciting news, but the deal is a high-risk, high-reward arrangement for all parties. Yet, despite the risk, I think if all parties are realistic about the potential to crash and burn, go into the deal with realistic expectations, then all could benefit. Ultimately though, the people who most benefit are MLS fans, who have a chance to see, week in and week out, a player who electrified us and is displaying a courage that few athletes could muster. In itself, that kind of drama is what we hope for in the beautiful game.

DC United Rebuilds--Even if They Don't Call It That

The Black and Red head into the 2011 season with a very different look than last year.  After the most dismal MLS season ever and three years removed from the playoffs, DC United appear to have stopped, taken a look around and decided that instead of trying to reload and shoot for the moon on a shaky foundation, it would be better to address the foundational problems.  So, even though you will not hear Ben Olsen, Dave Kasper or Kevin Payne say it, 2011 is a rebuilding year and any success that occurs this year will be gravy.

Some evidence of that is pretty obvious.  DC divested itself of some pretty old players, legend Jaime Moreno, and Luciano Emilio.  DC released players like Danny Alsop and  traded guys like Adam Christman.  It is not that these men were bad players, just not what DC United needed.

Just take a look at the average age of the current roster:  24.1 years.  There are six players age 20 or younger (Junior Carreiro, Bill Hamid, Perry Kitchen, Andy Najar, Conor Shanosky and Ethan White and just four players aged 28 and above (Branko Boskovic(30), Joseph Ngwenya (29), Clyde Simms(28) and Josh Wolff(33)).  There are another 8 players between the ages of 21 and 25.  DC United has gone younger, but in doing so, they have not necessarily sacrificed quality.

Even DC United themselves have stated they are looking for a new identity and it appears that young is that identity.  But looking deeper at the squad assembled thus far, there is something else that we have not seen in the past several years--more ball control players and more speed.

Players like Dax McCarty and Perry Kitchen excel at holding the ball and spraying around passes to spark something.  Guys like Andy Najar, Josh Wolff, Rodrigo Brasesco and Branko Boskovic excell at going at defenders and making them work.  You still have guys like Kitchen, Clyde Simms and Stephen King who can do the dirty work in the defensive midfield slot, protecting the defenders, but can also transition into attack with the ball.  It seems apparent that Olsen and the front office are looking to build a team that can be like DC United used to be, ball control, movement and passing.  DC United may never rival Barcelona in that department, but it is something that few MLS teams do with any kind of consistency.

But there are finally some smart moves by the DC United front office, or at least it looks that way.  The selection of Perry Kitchen with the 3rd pick overall is not only selecting a quality player, but also a Generation Adidas player who is going to be gone for long stretches this year and thus will not be graduating from the GA program, thus, Kitchen's salary won't count against the salary cap this year or next.  Kitchen will also be getting a lot of international experience in the U20 World Cup Qualifying and/or World Cup this year.  Assuming the US qualifies for the U20 World Cup, Kitchen will be mostly gone until August and may come back at a time when DC United will need some freshness.

The current unsigned draft picks, Blake Brettschneider, Chris Korb and Joe Willis are not quite flyers and might make the team and Willis is the most likely player of the three to make the squad, but they are low risk. If they work out, great, but if they don't DC United might have as many as two or three open spots.  Under MLS rules, if DC United starts the season with an open slot, they get $45,000 in allocation money per open slot and anyone signed after the roster deadline does not count fully against the salary cap.

So maybe DC United is playing a little smarter, going younger (and cheaper), maximizing the salary cap room and playing the rules.  DC United is likely looking at a second designated player to come in as a striker.  Olsen has hinted as much.  What DC United lack is a goal scorer.  Wolff might chip in with 8-10 goals and Ngwenya possible 3 or 4.  If Chris Pontius is healthy, he might be good for 4-5 and Andy Najar bagged five last year.  But that is not going to be enough in the long run.  A young scorer, something similar to Freddy Montero, is probably what DC is looking for.  With some salary cap room, DC United might be able to bag a DP quality player but pay down the salary for a smaller cap hit.

While optimism reigns in preseason, the only question I have to ask is: what formation and tactics is Olsen going to take and who will play where?  But that is a topic for another post.

To be sure, a younger, quicker, ball control team is what Olsen and Payne have been trying to put together.  I think they have succeeded in part.

Dax McCarty's Wicked Bicycle Kick in USMNT Training

DC United's new midfielder and USMNT captain (for one game) breaks out the bicycle kick during USMNT training in Carson, CA.




Suh- wwweeeeeetttt!!

D.C. United stadium update--some possible movement?

According to Steve Goff there are a couple of new sites that might be up for consideration as a location for a DC United Stadium, Buzzard's Point and Capital City Market.

Buzzard's Point a semi-industrial area just south and west of the Washington Nationals baseball stadium.  There appears a cement factory and other industrial spaces to be unused space sufficient to house a 20-25,000 seat stadium, at least one training field (perhaps 2) and some parking facilities.  It is not exactly mass transit friendly in the immediate area (the nearest Metro stations are about 6 blocks away, which is a fairly long walk.  But interestingly, across the Anacostia River is Anacostia park.  The space could also be re-developed to a "river front" space might bring some more money and could have some harbor facilities for water taxis and other water born traffic to the stadium.

Capital City Market is a area much closer to mass transit, two or three Metro stations nearby depending on how far you want to walk and the location and rail through Union Station, as well as general proximity to buses and major road transit.  DC has been slowing developing the area just north east of Union Station with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms putting a new headquarters building nearby, Galludet University, Fed Ex facility and other business/tourism sites not far away.  The more difficult problem the most likely space is currently in use and would require the condemnation of some already commercially used property, but the facility may be able to hold a 20-25,000 seat stadium (with room to expand) and a couple of training sites.

Given that the City of Baltimore has made a play to put a stadium in Charm City not far from M&T Bank Stadium (which has hosted some high profile international friendlies), DC has finally sat up and taken notice.  Baltimore hates the fact that they get ignored in the proximity of DC and the DC city council probably couldn't stand losing DC United to Baltimore (the suburbs maybe like Fed Ex Field), but not Baltimore City.  such a prospect might just gall DC United and the City Council to get a deal done.  But I am not holding my breath.

Baltimore Site for Possible DC United Stadium?

The Baltimore Sun reported on the stadium feasibility study conducted for Charm City to place a 25,000 seat stadium in the complex south of M&T Bank Stadium, which also happens to be just south of Camden Yards. According to the Sun:

The proposed Westport stadium and an adjacent hotel would be part of a $1.5 billion mixed-use project being developed on the waterfront. The study determined the stadium could host 49 to 54 events annually, including 17 D.C. United games. Annual attendance is estimated to be 584,750 to 695,100 with total spending between $65.7 and $78 million each year. Total jobs are estimated at 780 to 940 with annual state tax revenues of approximately $3 million to $3.5 million. This project is expected to generate between $2.3 million to $2.8 million in annual city taxes.

If I am accurate in my understanding, the Westport development that appears to be the contingency for the stadium would be on both public transit lines and with immediate access to I-95 and a short distance from other developments in Baltimore.

The question will be what will the DC government and counties around DC do with this news. DC United is bordering on being the only team in MLS without their own stadium. New England and DC United are the only MLS Original Clubs still playing without a soccer specific stadium either built or in the works and DC United and New England are the oldest teams, being original clubs, who are still playing in non-dedicated facilities.

The fact is that DC United has been treated as the red-headed step child of the DC sports scene. Despite the success of the club, even relatively recent success such as the Supporter's Shield in 2006 and 2007 (although their playoff performance those years left much to be desired), the DC City Council and to a lesser extent Congress, have been reluctant to put any effort into negotiating a deal for a stadium site. Understandably, DC United is looking elsewhere.

With two strong supporters groups, the Screaming Eagles and the Barra Brava, and even attendances still getting close to 18,000 a game despite the poor performance of the last two years, getting season tickets won't be a problem. But I believe DC United is right to be looking for an urban location, close to the heart of a city, mass transit and a relatively central location. The Baltimore site gives that location, but nothing that DC government has even hinted at getting anything started, although sites like Poplar Point have been discussed.

Perhaps it is time to get the Football Supporter In Chief, President Barack Obama on board while he still occupies the White House. Much is made of the President's daughters playing the game and even regular press shots of the President on the touchlines with Secret Service in the background. Instead of just championing the World Cup for 2022 (President Obama is now 0 for 2 in pitching big events in the U.S., having failed to also get the Chicago Olympics), the President should apply a little pressure on the DC government to find a site for DC United.

In the end, it may be unlikely that DC United move to Baltimore any time soon. But with Baltimore making a play for the Black and Red, it will not be long before DC United are the only MLS Original club playing in a non-specific stadium. That is not only a major slight by the DC government and sport community, but also a tragedy for DC United Supporters and the game in the Nation's Capital.

United Send Perkins to Portland For Cronin

The roster reshuffle continues for DC United as they send Goalkeeper Troy Perkins to Portland in exchange for Goalkeeper Steve Cronin and some allocation money.

Cronin has appeared for the Black and Red before in 2009 on a loan from Portland and started two games, ending one with a shutout.  Cronin spent last year with Portland in USSF-2.

Last season for Portland, Cronin racked up a lot of shutouts and have a pretty small goals against average.  Perkins on the other hand struggled mightily.  But in Perkins defense, not everything was his fault as he was playing behind a pretty poor back line.  The entire DC United defense leaked goals like a rusty freighter, so it is difficult to hang the fault on Perkins.  But when he is carrying a guaranteed salary of $200,000 (and Cronin sure to be less), the writing may have been on the wall to ship Perkins to clear some cap space.

Perkins, who is still young for a keeper, may find a resurgence in Portland--I hope so, he is a quality goalkeeper who just had a bad year.

The test for Cronin will be a) having a season in MLS as strong as his last season in Portland and b) fending off a challenge for the starting slot from young Bill Hamid, who impressed many people last season.  Cronin was a quality starter for the L.A. Galaxy in the past and probably fell victim to the dominance that is Donovan Ricketts.  I am glad to see Cronin return to DC on a permanent basis.