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By John Haydon

After D.C. United lost to Toronto FC in early May, the team's outlook was bleak. Coach Tom Soehn's job seemed to be in jeopardy, and fans were pleading for the team to trade striker Luciano Emilio, who managed to score only once in seven games.

But players didn't give up on Soehn, who kept his cool despite the 2-7 start, and now United finds itself in a respectable position at the midpoint of the 30-game MLS season.

United (7-7-1, 22 points), which doesn't play another MLS game until July 22, turns its focus to its U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal game against the Chicago Fire on Tuesday night and the upcoming SuperLiga tournament, which pits the best American teams against Mexico's finest.

Early on, when the club couldn't win on the road and was allowing easy goals from traditionally weaker teams, Soehn didn't flinch. He could see the finished product.

"When this team gets it together I wouldn't want to play against us," Soehn said after the loss to Toronto.

It seemed just talk at the time.

But after a six-game unbeaten streak that included an impressive 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy, United looks like one of the better teams in the league.

Instead of seeking to trade Emilio, the club raised his salary and made him a designated player. The move paid off. Emilio is on a six-game scoring streak and was named MLS player of the month for June.

"We are creating lots of opportunities, and that's important," Soehn said. "We've also made progress defensively, and we're letting in less but still haven't got that shutout, which is discouraging for me. It's important that the last stretch of the season is when you are at your sharpest, and we still have room to improve."

The chemistry that escaped the club in April and May because of roster upheaval in the offseason is finally there. Veteran striker Jaime Moreno, playmaker Marcelo Gallardo and Emilio have combined for 20 of the team's 28 goals.