Denver NWSL has FC name choice, DC United season predictions, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. We’re just 2 days from the start of the season for DC United, so as we prepare for Saturday, here’s a look back at yesterday.
Denver NWSL team reveals six potential names. They’re all FC. (PSW)
Denver’s NWSL team has a public vote including 6 names. All of them are FC names, including Denver FC. Fans can also offer other suggestions, so have at it!
Ranking all 30 MLS teams by tier for 2025 (MLS)
D.C. United is listed on the 5th and final tier that’s designated as “Rebuilding A Foundation.” In the first MLS Power Rankings of the year, they list the Black-and-Red at #24 and, as they put it, “No. 24 feels… maybe a little high.” And in the season predictions, they think DC United will finish 14th in the Eastern Conference out of 15 teams. Time to let us know…do you think it will be a struggle this season, or will the team make it back to the playoffs?
If you’re headed to the season opener this weekend, DC United is giving out winter beanies. Someone grab me one and throw it up to me in the press box!
MLS Fantasy Focus: We’re back, baby! (DP)
After a hiatus, Rick is back with MLS Fantasy! Time to get in it before the season starts!
Ex-USWNT captain Sauerbrunn joins TNT Sports as studio analyst (PSW)
The SheBelieves Cup kicks off today, and when the USWNT take on Colombia tonight, you’ll see Becky Sauerbrunn in the studio as an analyst!
Which teams are in the Champions League round of 16 and when is the draw? (The Athletic)
Real Madrid humbled Manchester City to storm into the Round of 16. PSV needed extra time to beat Juventus, and those two results were the most notable of a flurry of matches the past few days. The draw for the Round of 16 is on Friday.
Sarasota Paradise to join USL League One (USL)
Sarasota Paradise will move from USL League Two to League One beginning in 2026, adding to the league’s expansion. And, they got a pretty cool crest too!
Report: U.S. travel system not ready for World Cup, Olympics
Looks like the United States might need to get busy to prepare for the influx of travelers during the World Cup, Olympics, and other major sporting events to hit our shores in the next few years.
Don’t forget: The District Press Stimulus Store is open for your shopping needs! And, if you’re purchasing the new DCU jersey or any new apparel, consider using our affiliate link to the MLS Store to get what you desire and help support this site’s coverage!
Opening weekend of MLS is upon us.
I have almost no idea of what DC will do in 2025 but share the general skepticism prevalent. Based solely on the law of averages, I expect Benteke to score less than last season but that other players on the team will chip in a few more goals over the 34 game season. The defense, based on the concept that they have a year together under Lesesne, should be better but will probably still be subpar. So a 10% improvement in defense measured in the goals against column, combined with a team whose overall offensive output is about the same, COULD yield something like a 9th place finish in the East. Or a 15th place finish. But overall, I expect slight improvement. (all results and opinions will vary…)
Meanwhile, like them or hate them, the Pink Team got it done on the frozen tundra in Kansas last night. Messi and other famous old vets DID indeed make the trip to the frigid plains and Mascherano did use them in the game as they did enough to come back home with a 0-1 win in their ConcaChampions matchup.
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/yes-lionel-messi-can-do-it-on-a-freezing-cold-night-in-kansas-025810132.html
That assessment makes sense. My hope is that we’re on pace for mid-table, then pick up the modern equivalent of Christian Gomez (not in position, but in impact) in the summer window to give us the nudge into the playoffs. One can hope!
Yeah, that’s kind of the best case scenario. We should be making at least two impactful signings though. We had said that we were going to be a 2 DP/4 U-22/$2 million GAM, but the rules now let us switch back to a 3 DP/3 U-22 version. Either way, we’re only at 2 U-22 players and (cough) 2 DPs. If we do sign another DP, we would have to not use that extra $2 million in GAM, but looking at the roster, it’s hard to see where that $2 million would have gone. Plus we have a little bit more than that from selling Akinmboni and Ku-DiPietro.
So either way, we can add 1 DP and 1 U-22, or two more U-22 players. We would probably need to pick up at least one international slot, but that’s a bridge for when we get to it.
Yeah, crazy to think DC’s playing in two days, sorta snuck up after the wait, didn’t it? Likely to be closer to 30 degrees, so hope it’s a good match for the attendees’ sake.
Don’t know bout y’all, but my eyes will be glued to Peglow and Pirani, as well as our new goalie when he’s called into action. Our season seems to rest on how effective the two Ps are, though.
Btw, if we had had a better offseason, I’d be looking at the first stretch of games and hoping for maximum points. Toronto at home, then Chicago, KC, and Montreal would be a good chance to get some momentum before facing Columbus. As is, I worry that we’ll end up playing catch up by the time Columbus likely cleans our clock.
Matt Doyle made a good point that we should start off pretty strongly as high press teams can do well as other teams are still learning to gel together. It can help make up for any talent deficits we might have.
This is what has me hopeful that we can grab some points early on. Chicago and SKC I think will likely get better over the course of the season, but between all the new guys and Berhalter’s system taking time to implement, we’re not getting them at their toughest.
Tom Bogert reporting that DC is signing Fidel Barajas on loan from Chivas. He’s a dual Mexican/US youth national, used to play for RSL before transferring to Chivas, currently 18 years old. Transfermarkt lists him as primarily a right winger, but he can also play on the left
I like this move. Barajas has plenty of potential and was sold for $4 million by RSL last year. That makes me think that a permanent transfer cost could be prohibitive, but if we’re going to be leaning on youth players, then it’s a good idea to be going out and getting talented young players.
Does seem like a fortuitous move. RSL cashed in on his potential with the sale to Chivas last year. Now, I guess he wants to get back to MLS and get more playing time.
It may be expensive to pick up his option, but it’s also possible that Chivas is now willing to sell him on, on the cheap.
Showed tremendous potential at Charleston and especially with the Mexican U17s.
Intriguing profile, though I don’t know much about him. 18 years old, so eager to prove himself, no doubt. I’m always in favor of doubling CBs for depth, and dynamic competition on the wing, so yeah, let’s go
Looking at some highlights, he seems pretty comfortable on the ball, and seems to have good shot placement. He had 11 assists for Charleston in 2023. I think that his USL success and history in Charleston probably have had him on Troy Lesesne’s radar for awhile.
I’m guessing he’ll be a sub, but he seems like a talent.
Here’s an analysis of his game from 2023: https://www.usltactics.com/p/barajas-breakdown
Some things that stand out are his propensity for crossing (he’s taken some corner kicks in MLS for RSL) and his ability to interplay with overlapping fullbacks. He can also play on either wing. He’s mature, and decent in defensive transition.
All that seems to fit pretty well with DC’s philosophy. This could end up being a really nice pickup.
Bottom line, good or bad, we had to pick up a breathing human.
That said, I like this move.
Once Akinmboni and Teddy KDP were moved on, it seemed a bit like maybe DC wasn’t really focused on youth. But with Barajas and the rumored Zouhir and Turner signings, we’d have plenty of players 23 or younger.
Kim Joon Hong
Matti Peltola
Joao Peglow
Gabriel Pirani
Garrison Tubbs
Jacob Murrell
Jackson Hopkins
Hosei Kijima
Hakim Karamoko
Fidel Barajas
Rida Zouhir
Gavin Turner
and Kristian Fletcher if he ever returns.
That would be 12 out of 27 players (13 out of 28 with Fletcher) that are under 23, and up to two more open U-22 slots. I’d say at least four of those players, and maybe five (depending on how Kijima does) are starters this year. So that’s looking like a better bet on youth, potentially setting up a strong year in 2026, if they can nail their DP signings. This is largely what I was advocating for in 2024, but it’s happening this year instead.
RSL fans have good things to say about him. Good guy to have off the bench if and when someone in the starting XI goes down or away.
What’s that? Jared Stroud has an injury that might keep him out of the opener? Here we go!
I know most people have been pretty pessimistic about our chances, but I actually think we have a good shot at being competitive this year. The players we’ve brought in seem to fit the system that Lesesne wants to run and he’s not really dealing with any dead weight this year.
The concern, of course, is that our roster isn’t very deep. And while I think that’s true in some areas, we’re miles ahead of where we were last season and we started pretty well then. One thing I really like is that now we have the option to bring on/play Leal when we know teams will be sitting deeper against us. I also am hopeful that this is going to be Murrells breakout season. Last year he kept getting into good positions and wasn’t afraid to shoot. If it starts clicking for him then he could be very effective.
All of this is certainly possible. Leal seems to have a pretty decent shot, as does Brandon Servania (and Rida Zouhir if they ever actually do sign him). I think that Lesesne intends to use that to prevent teams from dropping back and double teaming Benteke as much. And maybe like Peglow and Pirani can swoop in and put away any rebounds.
Here’s the thing. Your starting lineup can be solid. You do all the right things, keep it an even score. Then Carles Gil does something ridiculous, and we get sunk.
DPs are a factor, and in a game of marginal squads, sometimes the main one. Benteke will be relied upon, but I’m furious at the owners for not fully buying off Klich and getting someone great. I also think them going with the 2 DP, 4 u22 model is a cop out.
So, I think we’ll try hard, and still not be competitive because of this dynamic.
“Then [insert high-priced player] does something ridiculous, and we get sunk.” Definitely a familiar and infuriating experience. Who will be the next Chucho/Zelarayan/Higuaín to ruin our season?
For those that may have missed it, Axios reported that DC United is apparently looking into both expanding and enclosing Audi Field. Sounds like they’re looking to expand towards 30k seats, and add a retractable roof so that the stadium could be used during winter more easily. Here is the link:
https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/02/20/dc-united-audi-field-expansion-stadium-arena
I’m mainly interested in this development cuz it may mean they calculated polishing the stadium is the last step before selling. I want better, less negligent owners.
Big potential news, but very tricky expansion given site limitations. I hope that Michele Kang becomes a co- investor to anchor Spirit at Buzzard Point long term.
I have problem envisioning how this would be done.
Yeah. I think the only person involved – who’s not currently involved it should be noted – that I’d trust to figure this out (let alone do it correctly) is Michele Kang.
This actually hit the radio on WTOP. I still cannot see it. Maybe a second deck above the Fort McNair side? A retractable roof, HVAC year round? This seems absurd. I note Fischy below this post. Fantastical nonsense.
We don’t sell out and Messi will never set foot on this field.
Fantastical nonsense. The most laughable part about the article is this.
“D.C. United regularly sells out games — and expects to at its season opener this Saturday versus Toronto FC.”
I can see why they’d like a roof and given how sh***y the field condition is, I guess they’re conditioning us to look forward to a plastic field.
As long as we’re fantasizing here about big crowds and a roof over the stadium, maybe they could build out the system to swap out the field. Slide in the plastic for concerts and when the football team or lacrosse is playing…and then slide back in the grass for soccer.
Goff is reporting that Benteke is captain this year (no surprise) and Kye Rowles is vice-captain (a little surprising – might have thought Bartlett or Stroud would get the nod). Good for Rowles, though. Only two captains this year, rather than four.
Stroud is out for the opener but could be back for Game 2. Peglow is questionable. If Peglow can’t go, I’d guess that Randall Leal or Hosei Kijima if he’s not in the middle would start on the left.
Antley, Hopkins, and Karamoko are out.
Actually encouraged Rowles is deemed worthy so quickly, we could use more leadership.
A central defender from Oceania that has captaincy abilities, and a demonstrated ability to play in Britain? This has worked for DC before.
Goff also reports that United has traded $100,000 in GAM to the Galaxy for $125,000 in GAM next year.
First, just CLASSIC MLS. Second, I’m a sicko for thinking this is a really nice deal to basically get an extra $25,000 for free in the year in which United has said they’re going to get serious about competing (really, guys!).
Ha, yeah, if your enemy wants to sell you tomorrow, even a little bit, buy
It may not at all, but part of me wonders if this ends up being related to DC getting Sean Davis, given that the Galaxy are on the other end of the deal
This kind of like a GAM CD. Finally something I can relate to!