Intelligence Report: Orlando City vs. D.C. United

After spending two weeks away from home, Orlando City will return to the comfortable confines of Inter&Co Stadium as the team attempts to get back to winning ways. The next opponent on the schedule is D.C. United, a team which has undergone a whole bucketload of off-season changes.

Fortunately, I was able to pick the brain of Sarah Kallassy of The District Press. She was kind enough to help bring us up to speed on all of the changes that the team has undergone since the Lions last faced United.

Take me through D.C. United’s off-season transfer business. Who are some of the new names to know?

Sarah Kallassy: Ally Mackay and company have been very busy! What really stands out is that many players supporters were quite familiar with have either retired (Steve Birnbaum) or been moved on/traded (Chris Durkin, Mateusz Klich, Ted Ku-DiPietro). This season is already an exercise for fans in learning new players’ styles and strengths. We are really excited to see what Fidel Barajas brings to the pitch and have been impressed with Joao Peglow, Kye Rowles, and more of Mackay’s new signings.

Off-season and early season acquisitions:

• GK Jordan Farr | 11/20/24 – Signed from Tampa Bay Rowdies 
• GK Luis Barraza | 12/9/24 – Acquired from New York City FC 
• MF Hosei Kijima | 12/11/24 – Acquired from San Diego FC 
• F Joao Peglow | 12/16/24 – Signed from Radomiak Radom 
• D Lukas MacNaughton | 12/18/24 – Acquired from Nashville SC 
• D Derek Dodson | 12/31/24 – Signed after being selected in Stage 2 of Re-Entry Draft 
• F Hakim Karamoko | 1/8/25 – Drafted in MLS SuperDraft 
• GK Kim Joon-Hong | 1/9/25 – Signed from Jeonbuk Hyundia Motors FC 
• MF Randall Leal | 1/14/25 – Claimed of MLS waiver protocol 
• D Kye Rowles | 1/15/25 – Signed from Heart of Midlothian FC 
• MF Brandon Servania | 2/11/25 – Signed as a Free Agent 
• MF Gavin Turner | 2/21/25 – Signed as a Homegrown 
• MF Rida Zouhir | 2/21/25 – Signed as a Free Agent 
• F Fidel Barajas | 2/26/25 – Signed on Loan from Chivas Guadalajara 

Recent and notable outgoing players: 

• MF Chris Durkin | 12/12/23 – Traded to St. Louis City SC 
• D Ruan | 12/12/23 | Traded to CF Montreal 
• D Steven Birnbaum | 7/16/24 – Retired 
• MF Mateusz Klich | 12/20/24 – Traded to Atlanta United 
• D Matai Akinmboni | 1/3/25 – Transfered to A.F.C. Bournemouth 
• F Ted Ku-DiPietro | 2/10/25 – Traded to Colorado Rapids 

After barely missing out on the postseason last year, what does D.C. need to improve on in order to make the playoffs?

SK: We know there have been roster gaps that D.C. has looked to fill, but the real challenge for Troy Lesesne and the team is consistency. They’ve worked hard to build consistent performances with the acknowledgement that playoff spots are earned game over game, not just at crunch time. Both the head coach and captain, Christian Benteke, have stated this repeatedly this season. They know every match performance counts and there is no substitute for consistent performance, strength in possession, and creating and finishing chances.

What has stood out most to you (good or bad) about this team through the first four games?

SK: We’ve seen the Black-and-Red display a resilience that has been missing in previous seasons. When Lesesne came to D.C., he made it a point to shift the culture. D.C. is playing through the final whistle, and not giving up one moment of opportunity. Just look at Jacob Murrell’s stunner at the death that tied it up against Chicago on Matchday 2. 

Will any players be unavailable due to injury, suspension, international duty, etc.? What is your projected starting XI and score prediction?

SK: We’re waiting on the official word for availability but we expect know Kye Rowles and Matti Peltola will be out on international duty for Australia and Finland, respectively.

I think Lesesne will be going with a similar lineup to last week, potentially replacing Rowles with MacNaughton. Servania may also get a start in the midfield. 

As for scores, I hate predicting them! I will say that I am always pulling for a Black-and-Red win though. 

Thank you to Sarah for helping us get caught up on D.C. Vamos Orlando!