The 2023 preseason saw Loudoun United start a new chapter with the assumption of Attain Sports as the principal partner, and the addition of many new veterans to the lineup. While the team started strong the results and competition caught up, eventually resulting in the team finishing 11th in the 12 team Eastern Conference, punctuated by a two-month winless streak. The 2024 offseason saw the return of more than a dozen field players, and the addition of new veterans, including the club’s first signings of players 30 years of age or older. Some players are familiar while others not, and following a preseason friendly with North Carolina FC, we had the chance to catch up with several of them.

“This group has been forming over the course of the offseason, making new signings and inching toward a better understanding of what the group would actually look like,” Zach Ryan said. “We have a lot more experienced guys, so we have a leadership group together that has been communicating for over a month now, along with the feedback from other leaders in the group and other guys who are returning, of what we want this group to look like in terms of standards on and off the field. So we’re trying to be proactive with setting standards, identity, and communicating with the coaching staff of where we want to take this group because I think the sky’s the limit.”

“The offseason (was) good, a much needed rest for everyone,” Kalil El-Medkhar added. “I think everyone’s just really excited to get going.”

“For all of the guys coming back, we came back for a reason, (and) we believe that where we ended last year wasn’t what our potential was,” El-Medkhar continued. “Last year was about building relationships on and off the field with the guys that have stayed. Now this preseason is building relationships with the new guys (who) are going to step up into important roles this year.”

Following two seasons with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Indy Eleven, Robby Dambrot returns to Loudoun, where he spent two and a half seasons. Like other players, the 29-year-old put his playing time on hold due to Covid, but as the team held Zoom sessions to remain in contact, Dambrot (out for the season due to shoulder surgery at the time) maintained his presence among the team and was part of the players leadership group. Dambrot returns to a new group of players, and while his role among the veterans is more of re-assimilating, rather than establishing, there remains a common connection between then and now which lured him back.

“It just made sense for me,” he said. “Me and (coach) Ryan (Martin) have always had a good relationship and it seemed like the right time, (between) the new ownership coming in and the group they were able to maintain from last year and the new guys coming in, it just seemed like a really good project to join and be a part of.”

“I think the team has a plethora of leadership,” Dambrot said. “A lot of guys come from a lot of different places and have a lot of experience both in this league and other leagues around the world, Tommy (McCabe) has won the USL (with Orange County SC) and Florian (Valot) has won the USL (with New York Red Bulls II). So I think the biggest part of all of it is there’s a lot of humility flowing around this locker and we’re all in it together just trying to help each other.”

“Mainly the off the field stuff is night and day,” Dambrot continued. “The club overall has improved drastically from that standpoint. And I think now we’re going to hit the ground running and see just how far we can take this thing.”

Drew Skundrich was signed by Loudoun in the 2021 offseason before signing to the D.C. United first team, but after his release from Colorado Springs last offseason, understandably wished to return to the area, and he also feels the change from then to now. “We’re pushing ourselves to limits maybe some of us haven’t been before physically and mentally. We’re learning a lot, trying to grow as a group, trying to build a culture that will be the foundation of where we want to go. We’re putting in a lot of work (and) a lot of effort, but I think it’ll pay off in the long run.”

Ryan Martin has also noticed the change with the additional veterans. “That part’s been the biggest change, having veterans in even after the game, I didn’t have to make a message because Drew, Florian and Robby already chimed in on where we have to go with this, which is a learning lesson because we did really well. And we don’t want to be in May, perform well and lose a game 2-0 because of silly mistakes. It’s almost having extra coaches on the field. A true leadership group and leaders where they know where they want to go and the message is very clear, it makes my life way easier.”

With even more of a pronounced influx of veterans, Martin sees the tactical changes also. “(Most) every year I’m starting from square one in terms of teaching principles, whether it’s my game model or if I have to do a D.C. model. This year has been really fun, because last year I was able to start with my game model, but now I don’t have to start from square one, I can start from square four, build layers and nuances into what we’re trying to do. Having new starters in the group today was really reassuring because the Zach Ryans and the guys that have been here already know what the expectations are and that’s been a positive.”

“I think the principles are the same,” Ryan said. “With Ryan (Martin), looking to control the ball, dictate the tempo of the game and create a lot of chances, to play attacking football and then looking to press the heck out of teams to win the ball. We’re just trying to get everyone to understand their role, hone in on the principle, mastering that and then be flexible in terms of what sort of form we’ll have going into a game.”

With the addition of so many older voices, last year’s co-captain seems unthreatened by the additional gravitas his teammates bring. “Ryan hasn’t announced the captain yet and I don’t think that’s anyone’s main concern. I will speak for everyone when I say this, it’s an asset to have as many leaders in the group as possible. So we have a lot of experienced voices who I turn to in a lot of moments in training, whose feedback I really value and that’s just a great feeling to have in the locker room. So creating that energy of feedback and accountability in the locker room, (and) having experienced guy who have achieved a lot in their careers to do that is a massive asset.”

“I think that the club from the top down is putting in so much time and effort into making the entire organization positive, and kind of preaching excellence, preaching growth, “Skundrich added. “It’s just a massive turnover with identity because now it’s a place that wants to compete to be the best club in the USL not only on the field but off the field, behind the scenes stuff like that. So it’s just an exciting time to be involved.”