D.C. United will look vastly different in 2016 due to the reported departure of the club’s longest-tenured player.
Goal USA is reporting that D.C. United has agreed to a deal that would ship Chris Pontius to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for what is believed to be allocation money. The deal would put an end to Pontius’ seven-year tenure with D.C. United, for whom he contributed 31 goals and 17 assists in 152 matches.
Pontius, who fired three goals in 23 appearances this past season, was drafted seventh overall by D.C. United in the 2009 MLS Draft. However, the 28-year-old midfielder has seen his last two campaigns mired by injury, with the most devastating coming via a 2014 hamstring injury that limited the midfielder to just six appearances.
The change may not be the only one coming to the D.C. United midfield, which is also in danger of losing midfielder Perry Kitchen, who is currently out of contract. The club would maintain Kitchen’s rights should he remain in MLS, but the 23-year-old has reportedly received plenty of interest from European clubs.
What do you think of the reported deal? How will Pontius fare with the Union? What moves do you expect D.C. United to make this season?
Share your thoughts below.
I didn’t know this guy was still playing.
When Pontius is in-form, he’s a superb player…great at creating chances or finishing them. The problem is that for the past 5 years, he’s really only had one season where he was mostly healthy. If a team has the cap room to have him as a “possibly great player” but not rely on him to be a key part, then he’s a great asset. But if you’re a low budget team with no DPs and he’s supposed to be one of your 2-4 best attackers, than he’s a major gamble.
dc may “look vastly different” next year, but i can’t imagine the departure of pontius will have much to do with it. he’s a fan favorite, but it feels like he was off the field more than he was on it.
Union may need to sell the naming rights for their injury clinic too – Pontius will be in there a lot!
Get Magee, Larentowicz, and Dilly Duka. Look at the big Argentine from NYC Cosmos. Should probably get Robbie Findley too.