Gregory Roche
@gregoryroche.bsky.social
Former Radio Personality. Current Podcaster, soccer dad, and raconteur. I'll mostly be posting about D.C. United.
Usually clubs will bring ~3 Academy players to preseason but I'll give DC a pass here as they have a ton of new players to evaluate as well as a new ish coach who is implementing a new system.
Not the environment to have extra players along.
But Avilez and Turner are there so that's 3 kids.
Not the environment to have extra players along.
But Avilez and Turner are there so that's 3 kids.
Is it odd that the GK is the only Academy kid going?
January 31, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Usually clubs will bring ~3 Academy players to preseason but I'll give DC a pass here as they have a ton of new players to evaluate as well as a new ish coach who is implementing a new system.
Not the environment to have extra players along.
But Avilez and Turner are there so that's 3 kids.
Not the environment to have extra players along.
But Avilez and Turner are there so that's 3 kids.
DCU is a hilarious club if you don't care about their success.
DC, the club that signed a 14 year old, does not want minors' names out there.
DC, the club whose feed (and Academy feed), was wall to wall trumpeting the signing of a 15 year old...THIS FALL... doesn't want to put pressure on minors.
DC, the club that signed a 14 year old, does not want minors' names out there.
DC, the club whose feed (and Academy feed), was wall to wall trumpeting the signing of a 15 year old...THIS FALL... doesn't want to put pressure on minors.
The reasons we were told over the years included that and a general "the club doesn't want minors' names out there to add pressure."
Obviously on this side of things it was frustrating, especially since the names would get out anyway. Hopefully an indicator of more openness.
Obviously on this side of things it was frustrating, especially since the names would get out anyway. Hopefully an indicator of more openness.
January 31, 2026 at 4:41 AM
DCU is a hilarious club if you don't care about their success.
DC, the club that signed a 14 year old, does not want minors' names out there.
DC, the club whose feed (and Academy feed), was wall to wall trumpeting the signing of a 15 year old...THIS FALL... doesn't want to put pressure on minors.
DC, the club that signed a 14 year old, does not want minors' names out there.
DC, the club whose feed (and Academy feed), was wall to wall trumpeting the signing of a 15 year old...THIS FALL... doesn't want to put pressure on minors.
It was a dumb policy.
There is no downside to letting everyone know who is on a preseason roster.
If you are so scared that you could lose a player because they got exposure during preseason, do a better job of getting them signed.
There is no downside to letting everyone know who is on a preseason roster.
If you are so scared that you could lose a player because they got exposure during preseason, do a better job of getting them signed.
For years & years, under a long list of coaches & a less-long list of GMs, DCU's policy was to not identify academy players joining the team for preseason.
This year, they listed 17 y.o. goalkeeper Grant Leveillé, a Haitian-American academy player who has played for Haiti's u17s.
This year, they listed 17 y.o. goalkeeper Grant Leveillé, a Haitian-American academy player who has played for Haiti's u17s.
#DCU has announced their preseason roster ahead of the start of the Coachella Valley Invitational next weekend.
January 31, 2026 at 3:28 AM
It was a dumb policy.
There is no downside to letting everyone know who is on a preseason roster.
If you are so scared that you could lose a player because they got exposure during preseason, do a better job of getting them signed.
There is no downside to letting everyone know who is on a preseason roster.
If you are so scared that you could lose a player because they got exposure during preseason, do a better job of getting them signed.
Took an 0fer on this as the only Academy player in Cali is GK Grant Leveille.
Interesting as he only played a handful of minutes for the U18s this fall while Cielewich played the bulk of the games.
Leveille is a legitimate prospect though.
Interesting as he only played a handful of minutes for the U18s this fall while Cielewich played the bulk of the games.
Leveille is a legitimate prospect though.
I'll list some academy kids I think will be with the club for some part of preseason just to see how close I get.
Judah Pritchett (CB)
Nico Banks (CB)
Zach Cielewich (GK)
Mayson Barillas (CAM)
Judah Pritchett (CB)
Nico Banks (CB)
Zach Cielewich (GK)
Mayson Barillas (CAM)
January 31, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Took an 0fer on this as the only Academy player in Cali is GK Grant Leveille.
Interesting as he only played a handful of minutes for the U18s this fall while Cielewich played the bulk of the games.
Leveille is a legitimate prospect though.
Interesting as he only played a handful of minutes for the U18s this fall while Cielewich played the bulk of the games.
Leveille is a legitimate prospect though.
Europe has figured out they can get MLS talent at discount prices.
If Freeman were from, say, Argentina, the fee would be double.
If Freeman were from, say, Argentina, the fee would be double.
💣🇺🇸 BREAKING: Villarreal has agreed to a deal to sign USMNT right back Alex Freeman from Orlando City, per sources.
Deal worth north of $4m plus another $3m in add-ons + sell-on clause.
Freeman was set to leave for free when contract expired end of year. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Deal worth north of $4m plus another $3m in add-ons + sell-on clause.
Freeman was set to leave for free when contract expired end of year. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Sources: USMNT, Orlando breakout talent Freeman seals move to Villarreal
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Europe has figured out they can get MLS talent at discount prices.
If Freeman were from, say, Argentina, the fee would be double.
If Freeman were from, say, Argentina, the fee would be double.
A literal TEAM of Doctors working on making D.C. United healthy again.
www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-uni...
www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-uni...
D.C. United Appoint Dr. Orbay Ünsoy as Head of Recruitment | DC United
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 26, 2026) - D.C. United has appointed Dr. Orbay Ünsoy as Head of Recruitment, overseeing the club's player identification and recruitment strategy in collaboration with football...
www.dcunited.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:09 PM
A literal TEAM of Doctors working on making D.C. United healthy again.
www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-uni...
www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-uni...
Good personality to have within the club.
This has been my analysis of this deal.
This has been my analysis of this deal.
Sources: DC United has acquired Alex Bono in a trade from the New England Revolution in exchange for a small amount of GAM 🧤
The 31-year-old returns to DC, joining a goalkeeping room headlined by free agent signing Sean Johnson.
The 31-year-old returns to DC, joining a goalkeeping room headlined by free agent signing Sean Johnson.
January 23, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Good personality to have within the club.
This has been my analysis of this deal.
This has been my analysis of this deal.
GAM is so confusing. All I've been hearing is how little GAM DCU has and it turns out...they have about the same as everyone else.
MLS announces offseason GAM count for all 30 clubs
GAM is a valuable tool for MLS roster building. Can acquire players/assets, but most used to buy down non-DP salary cap hits to fit under roster rules
GAM is a valuable tool for MLS roster building. Can acquire players/assets, but most used to buy down non-DP salary cap hits to fit under roster rules
January 21, 2026 at 6:09 PM
GAM is so confusing. All I've been hearing is how little GAM DCU has and it turns out...they have about the same as everyone else.
No shade to the Dynamo (my club can't be bothered to be on Bluesky) but how bout we save the "honor the legacy of Dr. King" posts today and actually speak out against injustices going on right now.
Today, and every day.
Today, and every day.
"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." - MLK
Let us all continue to honor the teachings and sacrifices of Dr. King today, and every day.
Let us all continue to honor the teachings and sacrifices of Dr. King today, and every day.
January 19, 2026 at 3:35 PM
No shade to the Dynamo (my club can't be bothered to be on Bluesky) but how bout we save the "honor the legacy of Dr. King" posts today and actually speak out against injustices going on right now.
Today, and every day.
Today, and every day.
Reposted by Gregory Roche
Can't fault the current regime for needing to find a place for Kim and doing so. The only way to break the cycle is to do this kind of basic, obviously needed thing correctly, and stick to it if/when the team is in 12th come May 1st. Lots of rubble to clear before building really gets underway.
January 19, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Can't fault the current regime for needing to find a place for Kim and doing so. The only way to break the cycle is to do this kind of basic, obviously needed thing correctly, and stick to it if/when the team is in 12th come May 1st. Lots of rubble to clear before building really gets underway.
This is DC.
Remember when 2025 was supposed to be the start of a rebuild and then the business department ran a special refunding money to new STMs if the team didn't make the playoffs?
Remember when 2025 was supposed to be the start of a rebuild and then the business department ran a special refunding money to new STMs if the team didn't make the playoffs?
There are a lot of these, but it's another symptom that perfectly describes the Audi Field era for DCU: an attempt at trying to do something modern clubs do that gets steamrolled by the demand that the team to, via an unknown process, turn into a contender inside of a couple of months.
January 19, 2026 at 3:28 PM
This is DC.
Remember when 2025 was supposed to be the start of a rebuild and then the business department ran a special refunding money to new STMs if the team didn't make the playoffs?
Remember when 2025 was supposed to be the start of a rebuild and then the business department ran a special refunding money to new STMs if the team didn't make the playoffs?
Reposted by Gregory Roche
My read on Kim's time with DCU was that he pretty obviously struggled, but also that Lesesne dropped him too quickly (after 7 games!) and a one-game tryout once Weiler arrived didn't offer much info for anyone.
Decent move to (hopefully) get him playing again, re-evaluate later this year.
Decent move to (hopefully) get him playing again, re-evaluate later this year.
Looks Kim Joon Hong's loan back to South Korea is official. #DCU
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
My read on Kim's time with DCU was that he pretty obviously struggled, but also that Lesesne dropped him too quickly (after 7 games!) and a one-game tryout once Weiler arrived didn't offer much info for anyone.
Decent move to (hopefully) get him playing again, re-evaluate later this year.
Decent move to (hopefully) get him playing again, re-evaluate later this year.
"D.C. United is a serious club."
January 18, 2026 at 2:21 AM
"D.C. United is a serious club."
"LOUIS! My man! Great seeing you! Listen, I'm actually here to catch a flight back to Cali so let's touch base when the team is there in preseason and again when <checks notes, sees DC have 0 matches in Cali this year>...well let's get a Zoom call on the calendar for the summer! Keep grinding!"
January 17, 2026 at 3:26 PM
"LOUIS! My man! Great seeing you! Listen, I'm actually here to catch a flight back to Cali so let's touch base when the team is there in preseason and again when <checks notes, sees DC have 0 matches in Cali this year>...well let's get a Zoom call on the calendar for the summer! Keep grinding!"
I know @thedkinphl.bsky.social pulled this one line from a highly motivational LinkedIn post to dunk on The Doctor but I think Doc is right.
The easier option would be to do your not virtual job from the city it's in.
Grindset mentality challenges him to do it from 3000 miles away.
Winner.
The easier option would be to do your not virtual job from the city it's in.
Grindset mentality challenges him to do it from 3000 miles away.
Winner.
January 17, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I know @thedkinphl.bsky.social pulled this one line from a highly motivational LinkedIn post to dunk on The Doctor but I think Doc is right.
The easier option would be to do your not virtual job from the city it's in.
Grindset mentality challenges him to do it from 3000 miles away.
Winner.
The easier option would be to do your not virtual job from the city it's in.
Grindset mentality challenges him to do it from 3000 miles away.
Winner.
Love the dedication from The Doctor to jump on a cross country flight to be there when his new signing touches down in DC.
Someone at the club had to meet him at the airport to get him a winter coat. Social media pics kill two birds with one stone.
Club's working smarter not harder.
Grindset.
Someone at the club had to meet him at the airport to get him a winter coat. Social media pics kill two birds with one stone.
Club's working smarter not harder.
Grindset.
January 17, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Love the dedication from The Doctor to jump on a cross country flight to be there when his new signing touches down in DC.
Someone at the club had to meet him at the airport to get him a winter coat. Social media pics kill two birds with one stone.
Club's working smarter not harder.
Grindset.
Someone at the club had to meet him at the airport to get him a winter coat. Social media pics kill two birds with one stone.
Club's working smarter not harder.
Grindset.
Some notes:
-Was the Doctor on the same flight as Munteanu or did they both time their arrival in DC really well while booking their flights?
-How long will the Doctor be visiting the US this time?
-Don't the airport arrival post if no supporters are there.
-Was the Doctor on the same flight as Munteanu or did they both time their arrival in DC really well while booking their flights?
-How long will the Doctor be visiting the US this time?
-Don't the airport arrival post if no supporters are there.
January 17, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Some notes:
-Was the Doctor on the same flight as Munteanu or did they both time their arrival in DC really well while booking their flights?
-How long will the Doctor be visiting the US this time?
-Don't the airport arrival post if no supporters are there.
-Was the Doctor on the same flight as Munteanu or did they both time their arrival in DC really well while booking their flights?
-How long will the Doctor be visiting the US this time?
-Don't the airport arrival post if no supporters are there.
Discussed this at length on the podcast (and here) in real time.
Troy/Ally were in over their heads but the owners completely knifed them with their random decisions.
Again, not cheap.
They spend money!
Just dumb.
They waste millions in addition to leaving millions on the table.
Troy/Ally were in over their heads but the owners completely knifed them with their random decisions.
Again, not cheap.
They spend money!
Just dumb.
They waste millions in addition to leaving millions on the table.
Never forget this: Mackay told @stevengoff.bsky.social they were going 2+4 but the club went 3+3. Seems like there was a clear disconnect between the sporting staff and ownership because why else would he say this and then go opposite?
That move potentially set them back over $1M in GAM carryover.
That move potentially set them back over $1M in GAM carryover.
January 16, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Discussed this at length on the podcast (and here) in real time.
Troy/Ally were in over their heads but the owners completely knifed them with their random decisions.
Again, not cheap.
They spend money!
Just dumb.
They waste millions in addition to leaving millions on the table.
Troy/Ally were in over their heads but the owners completely knifed them with their random decisions.
Again, not cheap.
They spend money!
Just dumb.
They waste millions in addition to leaving millions on the table.
Knew he wouldn't be on the waiver wire long.
He wasn't perfect but he has real qualities that play well in the League.
I enjoyed watching him play the position.
He wasn't perfect but he has real qualities that play well in the League.
I enjoyed watching him play the position.
January 15, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Knew he wouldn't be on the waiver wire long.
He wasn't perfect but he has real qualities that play well in the League.
I enjoyed watching him play the position.
He wasn't perfect but he has real qualities that play well in the League.
I enjoyed watching him play the position.
As for training, the club Insta has some footage of who is there, including the 2010 born winger below. Also saw Gavin Turner in the background.
Be interested to find out what Academy kids are there.
Be interested to find out what Academy kids are there.
January 12, 2026 at 9:12 PM
As for training, the club Insta has some footage of who is there, including the 2010 born winger below. Also saw Gavin Turner in the background.
Be interested to find out what Academy kids are there.
Be interested to find out what Academy kids are there.
DC will get a cut off that transfer fee.
Yow is good but didn't get a move to another Euro club when his value was highest.
This stings but is way down the list of things DCU supporters should be aggrieved about.
Yow is good but didn't get a move to another Euro club when his value was highest.
This stings but is way down the list of things DCU supporters should be aggrieved about.
🇺🇸 Sources: New England Revolution closing in on a deal to acquire USYNT winger Griffin Yow from Westerlo.
Fee just over $400k I'm told. Deal agreed but needs to be finalized.
Yow, 23, is a product of D.C. United's academy. Blossomed at Westerlo.
Fee just over $400k I'm told. Deal agreed but needs to be finalized.
Yow, 23, is a product of D.C. United's academy. Blossomed at Westerlo.
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
DC will get a cut off that transfer fee.
Yow is good but didn't get a move to another Euro club when his value was highest.
This stings but is way down the list of things DCU supporters should be aggrieved about.
Yow is good but didn't get a move to another Euro club when his value was highest.
This stings but is way down the list of things DCU supporters should be aggrieved about.
DCU has its workout of 2026 today.
Yay.
Yay.
January 12, 2026 at 4:11 PM
DCU has its workout of 2026 today.
Yay.
Yay.
That's lack of vision. Not cheapness.
They need someone to tell them exactly what to do and how to do it...then tell them how much to put on the check.
Look at their socials. Danita basically runs the club because she took the ball and ran and is good at it.
They need a sporting Danita
They need someone to tell them exactly what to do and how to do it...then tell them how much to put on the check.
Look at their socials. Danita basically runs the club because she took the ball and ran and is good at it.
They need a sporting Danita
“Our owners are not cheap.”
Took them years to finish what little roof they put on the stadium. They are cheap AF.
Took them years to finish what little roof they put on the stadium. They are cheap AF.
January 10, 2026 at 8:06 PM
That's lack of vision. Not cheapness.
They need someone to tell them exactly what to do and how to do it...then tell them how much to put on the check.
Look at their socials. Danita basically runs the club because she took the ball and ran and is good at it.
They need a sporting Danita
They need someone to tell them exactly what to do and how to do it...then tell them how much to put on the check.
Look at their socials. Danita basically runs the club because she took the ball and ran and is good at it.
They need a sporting Danita
Never confuse dumb with cheap.
Our owners are not cheap.
Just dumb.
Anyway, I really don't care since it's not my money and clearing the salary slot is the big win in this.
But man are they dumb.
Our owners are not cheap.
Just dumb.
Anyway, I really don't care since it's not my money and clearing the salary slot is the big win in this.
But man are they dumb.
Ok yeah, our owners are terrible, but Mackay was also a really bad GM. Dude was really confident he could make the palyoffs with Benteke and bunch of these guys, huh...
Boris Enow's departure from D.C. United was a free transfer triggered by the club's failure to make the MLS playoffs, per source. Beitar Jerusalem announced his signing Dec. 24. DCU had paid $2 million+ for him 18 months ago.
January 10, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Never confuse dumb with cheap.
Our owners are not cheap.
Just dumb.
Anyway, I really don't care since it's not my money and clearing the salary slot is the big win in this.
But man are they dumb.
Our owners are not cheap.
Just dumb.
Anyway, I really don't care since it's not my money and clearing the salary slot is the big win in this.
But man are they dumb.
Reposted by Gregory Roche
Ok yeah, our owners are terrible, but Mackay was also a really bad GM. Dude was really confident he could make the palyoffs with Benteke and bunch of these guys, huh...
Boris Enow's departure from D.C. United was a free transfer triggered by the club's failure to make the MLS playoffs, per source. Beitar Jerusalem announced his signing Dec. 24. DCU had paid $2 million+ for him 18 months ago.
January 10, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Ok yeah, our owners are terrible, but Mackay was also a really bad GM. Dude was really confident he could make the palyoffs with Benteke and bunch of these guys, huh...