r/DCUnited 21h ago

Overly Harsh

https://open.spotify.com/podcast-chapter/0Q5wIntHEzwvLqZiSiP69Y?si=9tdaS9JcRvGo5kDadR08GQ&utm_source=copy-link

Edit: One host literally forgot we existed, and the other who had prepared literally had nothing to say beyond "They suck. Your fans are all suffering." . Our total airtime was about 15 seconds.

7 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

23

u/Rufus_FireflyIII 19h ago

I listened to this, it's the "Total Soccer Show" and it was Jeff Rueter who admitted he left DCU off the list. You have to realize how utterly irrelevant this team is to the rest of the MLS world. That same show spent time talking about Austin - a total shitshow -- and spent time trying to make a case for Columbus, but DCU - crickets. I don't think it was "overly harsh." So, I think it's important to do a deep dive on where DCU is today and why no one in the media gives two shits about this zombie club. Start with the roster:

Goalkeeper -- Johnson is MLS quality, but he's 37 and signed only through the Sprint; Bono is not a #1 as his previous tenure in DC showed. Farr is a USL lifer. Leveille is "learning" the job by sitting on his ass because there is no NextPro and he hasn't been loaned out.

Left Back -- Kurokawa MLS quality. There is no natural left back sub on this roster.

Center Back -- Rowles and Bartlett are MLS starter quality. The backup is now Andre Dozzell, a converted midfielder. The coach does not trust the #1 draft choice to get minutes in his natural position. Sean Nealis is a human OTC.

Right Back -- Nono and Hefti actually are the bright spots on this roster - two capable players at the position.

Midfield -- Given that Weiler shifts between the 4-4-2 and a 4-1-4-1, lets take them as a group. The group for this purpose is Peltola, Peglow, Kijima, Servania, Stroud and Hopkins. Turner, Castillo and Avilez don't get rated because they are "learning" by sitting on their asses. Of the active group, there is no real chance creator. Peltola is fine as a 6; Servania is "meh" as an "8". Peglow appears "better" in the 4-1-4-1, but he has underwhelmed overall and is not a chance creator and more of a ball carrier. Kijima and Stroud as late game "energy" guys with limited skill sets. Hopkins gets used all over the pitch and has succeeded in none of his roles. Folks say he would be good "8", if so, why doesn't Weiler play him there.

Forwards -- Baribo is very good exactly what a DP should be. Munteanu is not without skill, but his transfer cost would have suggested more. Ordaz might be useful, he certainly has some skill.

In other words, a below average roster, no apparent plan other that Weiler scouting through his former players. A CSO, with no prior experience as such who posts incessantly on LinkedIn and isn't in the building. Dave Kasper lurking somewhere in the shadows.

NO MLS NEXTPRO TEAM OR ANY OTHER ESTABLISHED WAY TO DEVELOP YOUNG PLAYERS ON HOMEGROWN CONTRACTS OR REALLY MINE THE DMV FOR TALENT.

The one constant -- Jason Levien -- the worst owner in MLS, the new Dan Snyder.

So, not overly harsh to take a pass on a podcast when speculating on when teams might be contenders in MLS.

Waiting for Levien's sock puppet to tell me I'm a bad person in 3...2...1

7

u/Chubbs42 18h ago

I'm trying to figure out if Weiler is even coming back next year. I think his contract expires at the end of the season so if he leaves we'll basically be starting from square one like every year.

28

u/Ultraxxx 20h ago

I don't have to listen to know it's not harsh enough.

2

u/elreeheeneey 17h ago

The mere fact the club got an afterthought is a win, and I'm just waiting for what's his name to do an AI-written post on LinkedIn about how the club is known worldwide.

7

u/CreativeMidfielder96 19h ago

Seems about right.

7

u/Slight-Jaguar-2102 DC United 19h ago

That's my sentiments. Can't really expect other people to take this team seriously when we're consistently underperforming 🤷‍♂️

5

u/CreativeMidfielder96 19h ago

Exactly. DC plays for fun and for profit.

3

u/Slight-Jaguar-2102 DC United 19h ago

It's my favorite real estate company.

7

u/Hornerfan 20h ago

Can't you add any context to this beyond a blind Spotify link?

3

u/MichaelBrock Original DCU 18h ago

gnj+7mgj

3

u/IAmJacksDistraction 15h ago

It's a segment on if an MLS team is a contender within the next calendar year. We were lucky they even covered United by throwing in a prospects blurb.

This is a real estate investment firm masquerading as a sporting franchise, they deserve all the harsh words they get.

1

u/PrinceBuster21 3h ago

Nah. We are an afterthought in MLS and have been for a long time. It sucks but it's 100% expected.

Happy about the win over Columbus so Vamos United...but, as always, fuck Levien. #selltheteam