Halfway around the planet, D.C. United is engaged in training camp with a delegation that underwent more changes off the field than on it. But with the season opener four weeks away and gaps remaining on the roster, United seems poised to make its first move since Troy Lesesne’s hiring as coach this month.
From Saudi Arabia, where United will play four friendlies over two-plus weeks, Lesesne said Friday that he is “optimistic” about signing Finnish national team defender Matti Peltola.
“Once we finalize everything, I can speak a little bit more in depth, but right now we still have some paperwork to complete and he’s definitely someone we’re excited about,” Lesesne said. “I am optimistic.”
United acquired Peltola’s MLS rights from Minnesota two weeks ago for a small fee: $50,000 in general allocation money, plus an additional $25,000, should he sign.
If the deal is completed, Peltola would become a young designated player. Each team is allowed three designated players. As a young DP, Peltola would not impact the salary cap as severely as United’s other high-end players, striker Christian Benteke and midfielder Mateusz Klich.
Peltola, 21, is a free agent who most recently played for HJK Helsinki, Finland’s most decorated club. Over three years, he appeared in European competitions 29 times (Champions League qualifiers, Europa League and Europa Conference League).
Peltola made his national team debut last January and subsequently played in four European Championship qualifiers (two starts). He is a center back who is also adept in defensive midfield.
Captain Steven Birnbaum is United’s only experienced center back. The other candidates are Matai Akinmboni, 17; Lucas Bartlett (12 career starts); Hayden Sargis, 21; and rookie Garrison Tubbs.
Russell Canouse is the only holdover in defensive midfield following the trade of Chris Durkin to St. Louis.
Despite missing the playoffs, United has been quiet this winter. It traded for Bartlett, midfielder Jared Stroud and right back Aaron Herrera. United claimed Ethan Dobbelaere off waivers but didn’t offer the midfielder a contract. Two draft picks, Georgetown forward Jacob Murrell and Wisconsin goalkeeper Nate Crockford, signed with the team.
Eighteen players have returned from a 10-14-10 season in 2023, United’s fourth consecutive losing campaign.
Greater change happened behind the scenes: Lesesne, Ally Mackay (general manager), Caleb Shreve (assistant GM), Clarens Cheridieu (director of player personnel) and three assistant coaches were hired.
It’s unclear whether United will make many moves, aside from Peltola, before the Feb. 24 opener against New England at Audi Field. MLS’s transfer and trade deadline will remain open until April 23. The next window will run from July 18 to Aug. 14.
“I really like the makeup of the group,” Lesesne said. “We have the majority of our team in place. Are we looking to add still? Absolutely. Are we going to add before our first regular season match? That’s to be determined. But we definitely have a good core to work with and I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made so far.”
United will play its preseason opener Tuesday against the Sudanese national team, then face Saudi club Al Wehda on Feb. 3, Sudanese club Al Hilal on Feb. 6 and Saudi club Al Ettifaq on Feb. 9. The team will return to Washington on Feb. 10. The final tuneup will be Feb. 17 at FC Dallas, three people close to the plans said.
The Saudi camp is an enormous departure from United’s usual preseasons in Florida and California. Saudi organizers are covering the team’s expenses and paying an appearance fee, two people familiar with the arrangement said.
“It’s been obviously a different preseason,” said Canouse, whose team began workouts last week in snowy Leesburg, Va., before arriving in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
“This was a surprising one, but a different experience — something I probably would never visit the country for. To be here and utilize this as an opportunity to come here in the Middle East and train at the facilities — they are top-notch — we are just focused on what we’re doing,” he added.
The location has not caused distractions, Canouse said.
“Being in a different country, other side of the world, is, I wouldn’t say irrelevant, but we’re so focused on what we want to do,” he said. “It’s been nice having the new coaching staff, being able to get here, get situated, so we can really get to work.”
Without getting into details, Lesesne said he is beginning to incorporate his plans.
“It’s going to be piece by piece in regards to how we implement our principles of play,” he said. “The main focus right now is to make sure we have a good understanding of our structure. That just doesn’t mean system of play. I think we have to be a little bit fluid as we continue to have different guys come back” from international duty and unspecified injuries.
Playmaker Gabriel Pirani will miss the Saudi camp because he is with the Brazilian under-23 national team at the South American Olympic qualifiers in Venezuela.
Two non-contract players are in United’s camp: midfielder Brandon Parrish, a second-round draft pick from Clemson, and 18-year-old left back Graham Jones from D.C.'s youth academy.
