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 the upcoming year for DCU and everyone gives their predictions for the season.

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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 winning at the youth level, and the DCU Academy outlook for 2025.

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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 changes announced by MLS on Tuesday.

What is the state of DCU's finances?
What kind of players can DCU add and when can/should they add players?
What being "responsible" means to the club?
How much does the club have to spend?

These are just some of the questions Marc addresses on the show.

 Let's roll up our sleeves and get into the weeds!
 
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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.

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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, who stays and who goes this offseason, sports fandom, the club's on field needs, and so much more.

And, as always, great Pablo stories delivered in a way only he can.

It's the first of many DCU offseason musings. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. 

*WARNING: this episode contains some minorly explicit conversation*

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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 discussion

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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 he recruited to help him lock in his fantasy football draft pick. 

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As the European transfer window closed, there was a number of D.C. United players rumored to be leaving the club. Charles Boehm of MLSsoccer.com joins the show to updates on those players, as well as Ted Ku-DiPietro's extension, if supporter's should be surprised at the international interest for DCU young players, and how much trust should a fan have in the Troy/Ally project.


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With the summer additions of David Schnegg and Boris Enow, it feels like D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne has enough of "his guys" to trot out a preferred formation.

What is the formation? How does it work in attack? How problematic is it in transition defending? How married to this formation is he? Are their missing pieces that DC can add during the offseason to make this formation really click?

These are the questions Roche has for Jason Anderson of Pro Soccer Wire to address on this episode of Pitch Pass.

If you love talking tactics, this episode is your catnip.

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