Headed into 2023, Loudoun United was full of optimism and new horizons, on the heels of D.C. United’s selling an ownership share to Attain Sports, and with a roster possessing more of a veteran slant, injuries to key players exposed some depth issues the squad had, ultimately resulting in a season with less wins (7) than in 2022 (8). The team attempted to remedy the depth issue with some new signings, and infrastructure continued to be built out both onfield (the infamous Segra Field turf underwent a resurfacing) and off-field (the team hired analytics head Oliver Gage as its first Director of Soccer), and the team is wrapping up a nearly two-month long preseason before kicking off their 2024 season on the road against San Antonio. With that, and as always, let’s try to answer some pressing questions of this year’s bunch.

So, who did they add?

Well, a lot! Through the spine of the field, Drew Skundrich returns, following a 2021 signing with Loudoun before D.C. United grabbed him. Tommy McCabe comes in from Tulsa. Along with those two signings, pseudo new signing and former D.C. draft pick Alex Nagy returns after missing 2023 to a torn ACL, Kwame Awuah hustled to return back to the team to play at the end of 2023 after missing 99% of the season to an achilles issue. In back, Jacob Erlandson and Keegan Hughes come in as a signee and loanee, respectively, both from the Columbus Crew. Keegan Tingey arrives from the San Jose Earthquakes and Robby Dambrot rejoins Loudoun for his second tour after playing in 2020 and 2021. They join Yanis Leerman and Cole Turner. Up front, former D.C. homegrown Christiano Francois returns to the area, joined by Florian Valot (late of Miami FC). Zach Ryan and Kalil Elmedkhar return as the two biggest weapons in attack.

That does sound like a lot! Will they add players from D.C. on a loan basis?

Possibly? D.C.’s share of Loudoun has reportedly gone from around 50% last year to around 20ish this year. That plus the reduction in season-long loans, I would maybe expect occasional spot loandowns from D.C. Additionally, the hire of Troy Lesesne has the opportunity for short-term loans should the need come for it; the dynamic seems to be different again this year, but never say never.

Will there be some Academy players that get a look or two? If so, who?

Again, possibly? Kids like defenders Graham Jones, Ethan Pendleton and Brian Chavez look to be on the radar, Gavin Turner went to Florida with the team following injuries that derailed his 2023, and Nino Maldonado may rise up the charts for the organization as well.

What are they going to line up in?

Assuming all things equal and nobody’s hurt? With apologies to Isaac Espinal, my guess, which could very well be a 4-3-3:

What’s the expectation?

Last year they were more sure about getting into the playoffs than I was, and look how that happened! They’ve made their roster fuller, included a good amount of talent that has been around a trophy and/or the League for a little while, and the potential for the Crew centerbacks seems decent. They get to find out about themselves early this season; their first six games include two against recent former Championship winners in San Antonio (2022) and Louisville City (2017, 2018), their home debut is against last year’s League One Champions North Carolina FC. If they can stay healthy and the veterans can keep the team composed when the chips are down, they can certainly make a run for the franchise’s first postseason appearance.

One last thing.

The team announced a local broadcast and streaming deal with DC News Now recently, designed to include broadcasting and pregame content of their home games over the next three years. I may or may not be appearing on the channel to provide some of that content, starting with tonight’s broadcast of Game Night, the channel’s nightly sports recap. So in case you don’t want to read my ramblings and want to see me on a screen and wonder what the hell’s going on with me, you’ll have your chance.