Pitch Pass

After a productive week D.C. United is trending up. But how much stock can we put in the last two matches after a month of disappointment that proceeded it? 

To give some perspective, Roche checks in with former MLS great and current Apple TV broadcaster, Dax McCarty.

McCarty recently called DCU's match vs RBNY and saw firsthand what the Black and Red are doing right, what still needs to improve, and where the club should be loo...

It's been a solid (not spectacular) start to D.C. United's season and one of the standouts through the first two matches has been Matti Peltola. Roche sits down with the DCU midfielder about his strong start, what he attributes it to, Finnish weather, set piece defending, Kurokawa's fitness, and Silvan Hefti's blatant copping of Matti's style. 

Come for Matti's thoughts on the Black and Red's early...

Was Roche thinking of not doing a D.C. United season preview? Yes.

But, this is a D.C. United podcast, so here we are. Roche is joined by Jason Anderson of the newly created Green Line Soccer, to discuss what we should be looking for as the Black and Red begin their 2026 season. Can the guys sell you on why being boring is better than being awful? Listen and find out. Also, where is Aaron Herrera and Gabi Pirani, who is going to pla...

Another day, another change in leadership at D.C. United. Ally Mackay is out as Chief Soccer Officer of DCU and with rumors swirling of a new CSO already in place, it's a good time to reset (again) where the club stands as another disappointing season draws to a close. Pablo Maurer joins the pod to discuss where it all went wrong between the club and Mackay, what we know about the rumored replacement for him, and how the first...

With the summer transfer window in MLS opening, what options does D.C. United have with regards to their roster flexibility? 

Marc Machado knows MLS numbers as well as anyone and he joins Roche to discuss the pivots DCU has made in the last six months, where all the preseason GAM went, how much is left, and how their current resources can be deployed.

Then, Marc and Gregory go over the latest MLSPA salary info. 

Marc's Subst...

There's been a lot of conversation around a recent report stating that D.C. United's Academy is no longer free. 

MLSsoccer.com's Charles Boehm joins Roche to help clarify the situation as well as discuss DCU's transfer plans for the summer, the club's roster profile, and, why  Gavin Turner hasn't debuted with the first team yet.

Read Charlie's excellent piece on the Philadelphia Union Academy here.

F...

With D.C. United's season slowly going off the rails, this is a good time to see how their off the field year is going.

Washington Post journo, Steven Goff, joins the show to discuss the "weird time" the club is going through, the likelihood of on field reinforcements before the end of the season (and when to expect them), and if the owners are aware of the restlessness of the fanbase. 

Then, Roche and Steven reminisce...

After a solid (but not spectacular) start, D.C. United stumbled badly in their first big test of the season. 

What went wrong? 

Can it be corrected? 

Does this team have the talent to make the playoffs?

To get some answers, DCU head coach Troy Lesesne joins Roche to discuss the state of the team, why "win now" has to be the mantra, why the club switched player models during the preseason, and how bought in ownership is. 

...

Eight years ago, David Schnegg was 19, a full time construction worker, and a part time soccer player in a semi-pro league. 

Today, he is the starting left back for D.C. United and someone who is being counted on to return the club to glory. 

He joins Roche to discuss his unusual path to professional soccer, how he fits into Troy Lesesne's system, why he's always wanted to play in the United States, what Liechtenstein is li...

Roche kicks off the show with a player by player recap of D.C. United's season opening draw against Toronto FC at Buzzard Point. He was in the house for the match and gives his thoughts on the new fan experiences at Audi Field. 

Then, Pro Soccer Wire's Jason Anderson joins the show to break down the new wrinkles in DCU's tactics. What worked, what didn't, what needs more time, and what's Troy Lesesne's ...

D.C. United's regular season kicks off Saturday against Toronto FC and, to set the stage, it's very special episode of Pitch Pass...a crossover event with the Soccerwise podcast!

Roche and David Gass review the Black and Red's offseason, who came, who went, what to expect from the club this year, as well as some of the more interesting storylines heading into the season.

Then, Matt Doyle checks in with his thoughts on ...

D.C. United is keeping things under wrap this preseason, including what Academy players have joined the first team in Florida. After some digging, we have a rough idea of what two youth players are there. Travis Clark of Top Drawer Soccer joins the show to discuss those players as well as a few Academy players who are not there and why?

Travis also breaks down the pros and cons of college vs MLSNext Pro, the value of winni...

Keeping track of MLS' roster building mechanism is HARD! To help make sense of it all and to get a break down of D.C. United's salary cap situation, Roche brings Marc Machado on the first Pitch Pass of 2025.

Marc has made MLS roster building his main focus and gives Roche an idea of DCU's current GAM numbers as well as what they can add over the next few months He also gives an overview of the latest rule ch...

In a departure from years past, D.C. United announced their end of season roster decision in October rather than November/December.

There were some surprises.

Charles Boehm joins the show to discuss the surprises, the timing of the roster announcement, and what it says about Ally Mackay's vision.

Plus,  Troy Lesesne's growth as a coach, possible free agent options, and more.

Follow Cha...

D.C. United's season has ended with a whimper. So why is there optimism about the club? And is it warranted?

The Athletic's Pablo Maurer joins Roche to discuss the general state of the club at the end of another season without a playoff match and the beginning of one of the most important offseasons in club history.

The boys chop it up over DCU's front office and ownership, Benteke's vibes, wh...

D.C. United recently announced that their Academy is adding a residency component to it's program. What does that entail? How does it impact the first team? Why is it important for the long term health of the club? 

To get answers, Roche welcomes DCU CSO Ally Mackay to the show to discuss the Academy, the Residency Program, and where he feels the first team is now, and moving forward. 

 (23:22): First team di...

NEW CONCEPT!

Roche curates D.C. United news from around the internet and delivers it to you in one place.

This week's topics include:

-DCU's playoff picture
-Kristian Fletcher at Nottingham Forrest
-A DCU Academy snapshot



Matt Doyle's piece on DCU is here.
Pablo Maurer's piece on Benteke is here.
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Life is good if you are a D.C. United supporter. The team is coming off back to back road wins and finds itself in a playoff spot heading into the fall. 

But, bigger than that, the club welcomed Russell Canouse back after missing six months due to Ulcerative colitis. 

Russ joins the show to discuss his reintegration into the first team, the important role his wife and Troy Lesesne played in his recovery, and who h...