D.C. United Squad 2025

As D.C. United embarks on its 30th season in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Black-and-Red are poised for a transformative year. Under the leadership of Head Coach Troy Lesesne and General Manager Ally Mackay, the team has undergone significant changes, aiming to return to playoff contention after a five-year absence. A fresh blend of youth and experience, strategic transfers, and a dynamic playing philosophy define the vision for 2025.

Table of Contents

Leadership and Vision

Troy Lesesne enters his second season at the helm, bringing a renewed focus on youth development, tactical flexibility, and mental toughness. His approach emphasizes high-tempo play and resilience, core values reflected in the squad’s construction. Partnering with General Manager Ally Mackay, who brings an eye for scouting undervalued talent, D.C. United has built a team that’s not only competitive today but also well-prepared for the seasons ahead.

Squad Composition

Goalkeepers

Kim Joon-Hong (21, South Korea)
A promising talent signed from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kim brings lightning reflexes and confident distribution. He’s expected to compete seriously for the No. 1 spot.
Luis Barraza (28, USA)
Barraza adds MLS experience and stability to the position. His shot-stopping abilities and calm demeanor make him a reliable backup or even a starter in certain systems.
Jordan Farr (30, USA)
With a wealth of experience from USL and MLS stints, Farr offers veteran leadership and adds depth to the goalkeeping corps.

Defenders

Kye Rowles (26, Australia)
A solid central defender with a strong international resume, Rowles offers defensive intelligence, composure, and leadership. He’s likely to anchor the backline.
Lucas Bartlett (27, USA)
Known for his size and aerial presence, Bartlett provides muscle in the center of defense and is a threat on set pieces.
Matti Peltola (22, Finland)
Peltola adds versatility and a modern defensive profile—comfortable carrying the ball forward and breaking lines with passes.
Lukas MacNaughton (30, Canada)
MacNaughton brings consistency and experience. As one of the team’s veterans, his leadership both on and off the field is invaluable.
Conner Antley (30, USA)
A dependable fullback who can fill multiple roles across the backline, Antley brings work ethic and positional awareness.
Derek Dodson (26, USA)
Recently added to the squad, Dodson offers depth and adaptability. His ability to play as both a fullback and winger provides tactical flexibility.

Midfielders

Brandon Servania (25, USA)
Creative, tenacious, and technically sound, Servania is expected to be a linchpin in the middle of the park. He thrives under pressure and contributes on both ends.
Rida Zouhir (21, Canada/Morocco)
A rising talent, Zouhir brings flair, vision, and dribbling ability. He’s likely to rotate in as a box-to-box midfielder or attacking option.
Randall Leal (28, Costa Rica)
An experienced international, Leal offers pinpoint passing and an eye for goal. He’s expected to take charge of orchestrating the attack from wide or central positions.
Gabriel Pirani (23, Brazil)
With his creative instincts and strong passing range, Pirani is the playmaker-in-chief. Expect him to thread key passes and dictate the tempo of the attack.
Boris Enow (25, Cameroon)
A classic ball-winning midfielder, Enow will provide the much-needed steel and balance, allowing more attacking-minded players to roam freely.
Hosei Kijima (22, Japan)
Intelligent and tactically disciplined, Kijima adds versatility. Whether deployed as a deep-lying playmaker or a shuttler, he plays with maturity beyond his years.

Forwards

Christian Benteke (34, Belgium)
The focal point of the attack, Benteke remains a premier target man in MLS. After netting 19 goals last season, he enters 2025 as one of the league’s top scorers. His combination of physicality and experience makes him a constant menace to defenders.
Dominique Badji (31, Senegal)
A hardworking and pacey forward, Badji complements Benteke’s style. He can stretch defenses and play wide when needed.
Fidel Barajas (18, Mexico)
The young winger is an exciting prospect who brings flair, pace, and vision. Expected to be a game-changer off the bench or even in a starting role, Barajas adds a creative spark.
Hakim Karamoko (19, USA)
A bright academy product, Karamoko brings youthful energy and raw potential. While still developing, he could earn meaningful minutes as the season progresses.

Transfer Highlights

Key Signings

Kye Rowles – Strengthens the core of defense with experience and leadership.
Fidel Barajas (Loan) – High-upside attacking talent with an option to extend through the end of the year.
Brandon Servania & Rida Zouhir – Young midfielders brought in to energize the engine room.
Kim Joon-Hong – A high-upside goalkeeping investment.

Notable Departures

Matai Akinmboni – Transferred to the Premier League, showcasing the club’s success in youth development.
Ted Ku-DiPietro – Moved to Colorado Rapids for a substantial fee, a move that reflects the club’s ability to develop and profit from homegrown talent.
Mateusz Klich & Cristian Dájome – Veteran midfielders who moved on, freeing space for the next generation.
Alex Bono & Russell Canouse – Long-time squad members whose exits mark the start of a new era.

Tactical Approach

Troy Lesesne prefers a high-pressing, possession-based style. The 4-2-3-1 formation is expected to be the default setup, with Benteke leading the line, supported by dynamic creators like Pirani, Leal, and Barajas.

The midfield pivot, possibly Enow and Servania, offers a balance of creativity and control. The backline will benefit from the structure and communication brought by Rowles and MacNaughton, while Kim Joon-Hong or Barraza will aim to organize from behind.

Expect D.C. United to focus on quick transitions, fluid positional play, and aggressive wing attacks. Lesesne’s tactical fluidity also allows the team to shift to a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 when chasing games or protecting leads.

Youth Movement and Development

The 2025 roster reflects a clear shift toward youth. Players like Barajas, Zouhir, Kijima, and Karamoko represent the next generation of D.C. United stars. The club has re-emphasized its academy and scouting network, signaling a long-term commitment to building from within.

This emphasis on young, hungry players not only rejuvenates the squad but also creates resale value—something the club can leverage to reinvest in talent or facilities.

Season Goals and Expectations

After missing the playoffs for five straight years, expectations are rising in the nation’s capital. The primary goal for 2025 is clear: qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Secondary objectives include:

A strong U.S. Open Cup run, with the team entering in the Round of 32.
Development of young players and integration into the starting lineup.
Defensive improvement—particularly reducing the number of goals conceded from set pieces.
Continued evolution of the team’s playing identity under Lesesne.

Challenges

Despite optimism, D.C. United faces challenges:

Squad Cohesion: With many new faces, building chemistry quickly will be key.
Injury Management: Depth has improved, but injuries to key players like Benteke or Pirani could derail momentum.
Consistency: Maintaining form over the grueling MLS calendar is never easy, especially with a younger squad.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 season is more than just another year for D.C. United—it marks a cultural and tactical shift. The roster rebuild emphasizes youth, energy, and flexibility, while also retaining veterans who can guide the next generation.

With a passionate fan base, a fresh kit, and a squad ready to compete, D.C. United is no longer just rebuilding—they’re reemerging. If the new pieces fall into place and Lesesne’s vision takes hold, expect the Black-and-Red to be in the playoff conversation—and perhaps even make a deeper run.

This is a team on the rise. And 2025 might just be the year the capital city makes its mark again in MLS.