Pitch Pass

D.C. United has a new Technical Director and he joins Roche on the latest episode of Pitch Pass. Dane Murphy has climbed the front office ladder at breakneck speed and discusses how he transitioned from player to exec so quickly. Then, he takes Roche behind the scenes at Loudoun United to talk roster building, establishing an organizational infrastructure, and how the Academy will play an important role with the new USL team. 

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The Athletic's Paul Tenorio joins Roche to discuss the Andrew Gutman loan saga and how MLS's "helicopter general managing" style escalated the situation. Will the owners address the League's meddling or will the players in the next CBA? Do either care enough to try and address it? Then, Paul and Roche discuss the future of solidarity payments in the U.S. as well as Russell Canouse's USMNT future. Later, D.C. United rookie Akeem Ward talks about DCU's preseason thus far, Donovan Pines, his role with the team, and more. 

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D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper joins Roche to discuss DCU's eventful offseason. D.C. United is in a different reality now and Kasper explains what that means for the club in its negotiations with clubs in South America and throughout the world, how Loudoun United fits into the club's infrastructure, what it means for the Academy, and Dane Murphy's role in all of it. Plus, some updates on the training center in Leesburg and some roster news. Listen and subscribe! 

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Pitch Pass is back for a new MLS season! The Athletic's Pablo Maurer joins Roche in studio to go over a quietly eventful D.C. United offseason that included a new brodcast deal, contract negotiations with two key attackers, a Wayne Rooney kerfuffle, and more. Plus, what DIDN'T happen this offseason at Audi Field. 

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D.C. United and Houston Dynamo legend Bobby Boswell joins Roche to discuss leg 2 of this round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Boswell gives his thoughts on why having the home match first is an advantage, the pressure Atlanta United players are constantly under, and how much stock to put in year end awards. He also discusses the upcoming CBA, what issues should and should not be important to the players, how involved foreign players are in the union, and why players like Brandon Vincent retire so early. 

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The MLS Cup Playoffs are here! A preview of the Knockout Round match between D.C. United and Columbus Crew features Columbus Dispatch reporter, Andrew Erickson on #SavedTheCrew, the future of soccer in Columbus and Austin, winners and losers in the #SaveTheCrew drama, and if Crew SC has a chance against DCU. Then, Crew SC FW (and former D.C. United man) Patrick Mullins joins Roche to discuss how a player gains confidence (and form), Gregg Berhalter's coaching style, his time with DCU, and early morning wake up calls

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D.C. United MF (and homegrown talent) Chris Durkin discusses his absence from the USMYNT U-20 squad, his growth during the season, his broken nose, his passing vision, and more. Then, ESPN's Sebastian "Hot Take Sebi" Salazar joins Roche to marvel at DCU's turnaround, their playoff chances, the future of Lucho Acosta, the rise of hot takes in sports, and more. 

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It's been a long road back for D.C. United's longest tenured player. But Nick DeLeon is back and ready to contribute to DCU's playoff push. Nick talks about his journey to get back on the pitch and the self pity that crept in. He also shares his excitement about playing at Audi Field, with Wayne Rooney, and the opportunity to jump into the attack from his RB position.

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This week, D.C. United announced their Pathway 2 Pro initiative. Journalist Charles Boehm joins Roche to discuss what P2P is, how it will work, and what it means for the D.C. United Academy and youth soccer in the DMV. Then, DCU Academy grad Jalen Robinson discusses his path from the Academy to the first team.

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MF Russell Canouse on his bond with Wayne Rooney, the injury that wiped out the first half of his season, his guitar playing ability, and his Spanish lessons.

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