It’s different this time around.
In many ways, Bobby Boswell is the same player in 2015 that he was during his first MLS seasons with D.C. United from 2005-07. Now in his second spell with the Black-and-Red, he’s become much more, and is crucial to the Black-and-Red’s return to being a contender.
After his 300th appearance in Major League Soccer on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City, here’s a look at all the ways Boswell has helped to shape D.C. United since his return to Washington.
Team captain
General Manager Dave Kasper and head coach Ben Olsen did not hesitate after snagging Boswell in the first stage of the 2013 MLS Re-entry Draft. After six seasons in Houston, the veteran center back would return to his first club as team captain.
With a decade of MLS experience under his belt, Boswell has seen a lot. Now 32 years old, he’s won Supporter Shields with D.C. United and reached MLS Cup finals with the Dynamo.
As captain, Boswell is a liaison between the D.C. United coaching staff and the players. He weighs in during team meetings, and speaks up first after matches. He’s an organizer, but he can also be a confidant, a veteran who can help his teammates through whatever they’re dealing with, be it on or off the field.
When rookie goalkeeper Travis Worra made his MLS debut in an emergency appearance in the second half of United’s 2-1 victory at Vancouver on Apr. 25, Boswell didn’t immediately start yelling instructions at the 22-year-old. Instead, the first thing he said was, “Congrats.”
Team spokesman
As a defender, Boswell is often the first player the media looks for when things aren’t going well. Reporters are a predictable lot; they go for the goal scorers after a victory, and defenders following a loss.
It means that the private moments after the final whistle can be rare, but Boswell never shies away for defending his teammates in the press just as he keeps opponents off the score sheet on the field.
Mentor
The example that Boswell leads – along with other veterans on the squad like Davy Arnaud, Chris Pontius and Chris Rolfe – sets the tone for how D.C. United goes about its work every day.
Steven Birnbaum lauded the opportunity to play next to Boswell on the back line repeatedly during his first season en route to being named an MLS Rookie of the Year finalist.
Like Birnbaum, Kofi Opare is just 24 years old and has benefitted from playing next to Boswell while Birnbaum has been injured in the early part of the season.
Most durable player on the roster
Meanwhile, Boswell has almost never missed a match, playing 291 of a possible 320 matches in his first 10 seasons. In 2014, he was the only United player to appear in all 34 regular season games. He began the 2015 season with 54 consecutive starts to his name, the second-longest active streak in the league. He’s close to joining Arnaud in the of top ten list of all-time MLS starts (Boswell is 15th, Arnaud 10th).
One of the best defenders in the league
He’s always been a fierce competitor, and in his 11th season, Boswell hasn’t slowed down. After being selected to the MLS Best XI and named an MLS All-Star in 2014, he’s played an integral role in United’s historic 2015 start. His 10th-minute goal in Vancouver showed that the Black-and-Red weren’t going to back down despite giving up an early goal to the Western Conference leaders.
Boswell didn’t even celebrate. It’s early in the year, and he knows there’s plenty of work still to be done.
