DC United Looks to Rebuild with Youth

DC United has undergone a major retooling entering the 2025 season.  The roster to open the season, basically a solid group of journeymen with minimal personality players, foreshadows a difficult road to the playoffs for coach Troy Lesesne.  It appears that he has chosen to rebuild with an emphasis on youth and their potential.

Witness the sale of Mateusz Klich to Atlanta for essentially prime draft picks.  They are added to the continuing development of Jackson Hopkins, Gabriel Pirani, Jacob Murrell, and Kristian Fletcher from last year and the addition of Hosei Kijima, Hakim Karamoko, and young goalkeeper Kim Joon-Hong.  Clearly, Lesesne anticipates a developmental year.

After reasonably strong performances by Alex Bono and Tyler Miller last year Lesesne disposed of them both to bring in little used Luis Barraza from NYCFC and youthful Kim Joon-Hong.  One can only surmise that Joon-Hong is seen as having major potential.  Still, Barraza had a strong 2023 season with NYCFC and may hope for a rebirth as a starter with United.

He does have a reasonably able defense in front of him with experienced central defenders Conor Antley and Lucas Bartley flanked by exceptionally strong David Schnegg and Aaron Herrera.  Young Matai Akinmboni was sold to Bournemouth but there remains the youthful Garrison Tubbs and several journeymen to fill in.  The defense appears to be United’s most solid area.

Midfield will suffer from the loss of Klich whose calming presence will have to be taken up by the versatile Matti Peltola.  Lesesne will have to rely on Hopkins and Pirani to continue to grow into impact players.  Boris Enow entered the squad in late 2024 and may fit in more comfortably this year.  On so many teams, forwards and midfielders are sometimes interchanged.  On DC, a frequent mover has been Ted Ku-Pietro.  He has excelled at times in both areas of the field.

Forwards will be led by the still dangerous Christian Benteke who may be joined by rapidly developing Kristian Fletcher who has shown confidence and growth in spot appearances.  He is currently on loan but has promise for the future.  Seasoned Dominique Badji should be more comfortable than last season while fighting for starts with the now experienced Ku-DiPietro.

It is worth noting that the growth of the many MLS developmental programs has spawned a large group of future homegrown players throughout the league.  Witness the USMNT U17 squad which featured no one from United, a surprising and possibly concerning situation.  On the other hand, the performance of the developmental squad against a professional African team last summer foreshadows good things in the future.  The youngsters appeared rightfully confident and aggressive while maintaining outstanding shape.  They are clearly well coached.

Look for spotty performances from Lesesne’s charges as he follows what appears to be a long-term developmental process.  Saturday’s opener may provide a few surprises, but a better understanding of United’s prospects for making the playoffs awaits at least three or four games.