Sending Hopkins to Loudoun was really a very good thing for him. He's 18, he needs regular minutes. He was regressing badly in 2023 and was quickly heading towards the Griffin Yow/Moses Nyeman exit from the thruway to regular MLS minutes. That being said, I'm not sure he is MLS quality under any circumstance. He is glacially slow and regular minutes won't fix that.
He played against Redbull in the Open Cup match. Looked off the pace, but that's expected. Might be hard for him to get minutes, though.
Per sources, MLS has lifted Mohanad Jeahze's suspension, clearing him to resume team activities with D.C. United. He is recovering from quadriceps injury, still few weeks from playing. (Jeahze was accused of two assaults in native Sweden, never charged. Case was closed.) #dcu— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 23, 2023
Depth for the summer when he gets back. It’ll be interesting to see how much time he gets when healthy.
So Forbes says DCU is the 28th most valuable soccer franchise in the world, right behind AS Roma. The methodology: METHODOLOGY The revenue and operating income figures listed for European teams are for the 2021-2022 season, converted to U.S. dollars based on average exchange rates during that season (1 euro = $1.128, 1 GBP = $1.33, 1 GBP = 1.18 euro). For Major League Soccer teams, figures are for the 2022 season. Revenue figures reflect proceeds the soccer team generates from broadcasting, commercial and match-day events. Team values are enterprise values (equity plus net debt) and include the economics of the team’s stadium (but exclude the value of the real estate itself), based on comparable transactions. Operating income is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, player trading and disposal of player registrations. Debt is interest-bearing borrowings due in more than one year (including stadium debt). The exchange rates used to convert team values and debt to U.S. dollars were as of May 22, 2023 (1 euro = $1.08, 1 GBP = $1.24, 1 GBP = 1.15 euro). Sources include the teams’ annual reports and documents, team executives and investors, credit rating agency reports, sports bankers and the annual Deloitte Football Money League reports.
So we're the fifth most valuable MLS club... I wonder what relegation will do to Leicester's valuation, 5 slots ahead of us at $781M
Lewis O'Brien has generated a great deal of ink and interest. Initially, I was impressed because his arrival more or less coincided with Rooney's change of tactics. Cause and effect sometimes get blurred. Now, I'm beginning to move to the @revelation evaluation of O'Brien. His last two games have been poor. Last night he offered very little in the attack and, for the second game in a row, narrowly avoided getting a straight red for a stupid studs up tackle. Maybe if the loan can be extended for this season OK, but DCU shouldn't be spending big bucks to get the guy permanently. I think Durkin can adequately fill that role for the rest of the season if O'Brien leaves. What DCU desperately needs is competent speedy wingbacks. They have one, Najar, and his legs are made of glass. The remainder are kids, washed up journeymen and a big question mark in Jeahze (who really isn't a wingback and was brought in to play in a back 4 back when Rooney wanted to play the ball out of the back.) So, once again, DCU has a roster mismatched to the way it wants to play.
A couple of concerns. 1. Were playing 3cb's. So, theoretically, he's not that far from PT. Williams/BHI Palsson/Birmbaum Pines/matai Were playing in the Leagues Cup and MLS fixtures are pretty congested as it is. Our club seems to have a horrible injury record. He should be getting time unless the club all of a sudden dont think he's ready. 2. Why did it take half the season to send him on loan? BHI has been back for a month now, no? It just seems the club dont know which direction to take. We as fans already know this club is fumbling the ball when it comes to youth talent. Its frustrating knowing that as much of a hotbed this region is for soccer, this club cant seem to make it work consistently, if at all.
Absolutely. I assume BHI is at least 45 minutes fit, so Akinmboni is #6. He should be playing consistently to develop, similar to Hopkins. Also, Loudoun and DCU train at the same facility, so it's not like he's been sent to St. Helena.
Counterpoint - this is the best team in the league at managing expectations. They have me thankful they are no longer a complete embarrassment. A mediocre, up and down performance this season would be such a huge improvement over the hot garbage of last year that most casual fans (maybe even all twelve of them) would be pretty satisfied.