Episode 308: Graham Zusi and Chris Pontius

It's the first ever solo show in Pitch Pass history!

Roche has some thoughts on D.C. United after two matches (and four points) in the MLS season, the new players, the DPs, the kids and their minutes, Troy and Ally, and more!

D.C. United is back and so is Pitch Pass. Roche is joined by journalist Charles Boehm to discuss the offseason of change around the club.
 
But first, the bad as DCU's preseason trip to Saudi Arabia has caused unease amongst the fanbase (3:06). Then, Charlie gives some additional insight on new coach, Troy Lesesne and new CSO Ally MacKay (15:28) before breaking down the roster, possible formations, key questions about the season, and the integration of the exciting young talent on the team (29:33).


You can follow Charlie on Twitter @cboehm.

Click here to read his article on the DCU supporters group situation. 

It's not "official" but D.C. United's season has unofficially come to an end without tangible success.

The Athletic's Pablo Maurer joins Roche to look back on another lost season for the club, what Wayne Rooney did (and didn't do) for the organization, and where the team goes from here.

They also discuss the Kasper situation, the ownership thought process, the DCU reputation in the global market, the tradition of United half measures, and the success of former DCU staff/players. 

Finally, the boys get surprisingly introspective on the changes in their personal lives in 2023.

Read Pablo's work on The Athletic. 

D.C. United Defender Brendan Hines-Ike has returned to full fitness after suffering two freak, long term injuries over the last three years. He joins Roche on this episode of Pitch Pass to discuss how his "foot exploded in his boot" and how he got back. He then addresses the team's response to the supporters' dissatisfaction with the disappointing match against Philadelphia before setting the stage for the last matches of the MLS season and why "playoff pressure" is not the same as "relegation pressure." Brendan also discusses his Swedish, his "memorable" time playing at America's Family Resort, and the inevitable double hyphen last name.

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As MLS season winds down, MLSNext season starts up so it's a good time to check in with the D.C. United Academy with TopDrawerSoccer.com 's Travis Clark. The club's investment in the Academy has been uneven over the years but that seems to be changing with DCU making a real commitment to the youth of the club and the DMV at large. Travis and Roche try to make sense of the US youth soccer scene (no easy task) and DCU's place in it. They also break down the current Academy set up, some players and age groups to monitor, and when/if the first team can expect reinforcements from the Academy. 

D.C. United has reached the home stretch of the MLS season and things are...meh.

Pro Soccer Wire's Jason Anderson joins Roche to answer three questions about the club as it makes its push to make the playoffs.

1. Are things better or worse now as opposed to the last 4 years?

2. Can #DCU make the playoffs?

3. Has the manager found a new formation for the last six weeks of the season?

Within these questions, Jason and Roche also hit on the "win now" mentality, Yamil Asad = Attacking Assistant, letting Teddy cook, and the harrowing drive home from Audi Field for Marylanders.

Follow Jason's work on X and at prosoccerwire.com. 

One of the pleasant surprises to the start D.C. United's  season has been the play of Ted Ku-DiPietro. The DCU Homegrown joins Roche on this edition of Pitch Pass to discuss his season thus far, his "traditional American sports" path to the first team,  Wayne Rooney's advice to the young players on the team, his "young veteran" advice to the teenagers on the team, and the (welcome) changes to the D.C. United Academy over the last few years.

Follow Teddy on Instagram here.

There's not just a different vibe for D.C. United on the field. Off the field, the club has raised their game in a number of areas, especially the digital team.

Claudia Pagan has been the face of DCU Digital for the last 4 years and joins Roche to discuss the process of creating content. Apple TV has played a role in the increase in content creation and Claudia explains how the Apple/MLS partnership has raised the game for creating content across the league. But it goes deeper than Apple. Claudia then points out other factors that have led to more content from the club including the hard work of the staff, relationships with business partners, and investment from the club.

Then, Claudia discusses the struggles of last season, the improvements to Audi Field, the excitement of MLS All Star, being a bilingual reporter, and gives us the story behind the now famous "unintelligible scouse" Wayne Rooney caption.

Subscribe to Claudia's YouTube page for even more behind the scenes looks at D.C. United. 

D.C. United's season is underway and the results thus far have been...encouraging? Pro Soccer Wire's Jason Anderson joins Roche to discuss the Black And Red's first two matches and if there is any long term takeaways from them.  Among the talking points:
-What youngster has the best long term outlook?
-Rooney's tactics
-The still wobbly defense
-Chris Durkin's "undroppable" status
-Durkin as the poster child of DCU's move to the "middle ground" of MLS

Plus, Jason and Roche discuss the ownership groups "good" offseason and the United's digital team's excellent start to the Apple era.

You can follow Jason for all things NWSL and American soccer on Twitter @JasonDCsoccer.

It's been an unsatisfying period for D.C. United for both the club and its supporters. But with rumors swirling of multiple additions incoming during the summer transfer window, there is a sense of excitement around the team. Roche spoke with DCU GM Lucy Rushton about potential reinforcements, the type of player the club is looking to add, and when we might see them on the pitch. Rushton also walks Roche through the recruitment process of Taxi Fountas and how the club identifies and tracks potential new signings. Finally, she gives insight on D.C. United's overall vision and how it is evolving post-Hernan Losada.