Some people like to wait until the middle of December to exchange gifts with their friends. Not D.C. United. Although it might seem a bit premature United have started their off-season a bit early. On Tuesday it was reported that the club had made a trade with the Philadelphia Union, exchanging midfielder-forward Chris Pontius for allocation money. The club has also reportedly picked up Lamar Neagle from Seattle Sounders FC.
The Pontius trade was first reported by Goal.com while the Neagle move was first reported by Mike Standish. When asked about the Neagle move, D.C. United had no comment.
There are still some aspects of both deals that have yet to be revealed. First, the exact figure of how much allocation money will receive from the Union is unknown. It is also unknown what exactly United will have to give up to retain Neagle’s services.
Pontius, 28, was the longest-serving United player having played his entire professional career with the club. After having a promising start to his career Pontius suffered a series of devastating injuries that stunted his progress. Hamstring injuries and a broken tibia limited his playing time in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. His best season came in 2012 when he teamed up with Dwayne DeRosario to score 12 goals and tally four assists. He was also part of the United side that won the 2012 U.S. Open Cup. In 2015 he scored three goals in 23 matches.
Despite his injuries Pontius was perhaps D.C.’s most explosive offensive weapon. Capable of changing the field with just a simple pass or move Pontius was at times one of the most underrated attackers in Major League Soccer. In Philadelphia he will have the chance to work with midfielder Sebastian Le Toux to provide service into forward C.J. Sapong.
Lamar Neagle made a rare outing at undiluted forward
Neagle, 28, has played with the Sounders off and on since their inaugural MLS campaign in 2009. Since starting out on trial with the club, Neagle steadily rose through the ranks eventually becoming a starter for coach Sigi Schmid. Over the course of three terms with the Sounders (2009, 2011, 2013-2015), Neagle made 86 appearances with the club, scored 25 goals, and helped the club win two U.S. Open Cups and the 2014 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
In United coach Ben Olsen’s 4-2-3-1 Neagle will likely slot in at the left midfield spot, taking the place of Pontius at that position. He is very similar to Nick De Leon in that he likes to make long runs down the flank and can make the diagonal run when his team needs to disrupt a defense that is staying back. However, his first touch is a bit closer than De Leon’s which allows him to keep defenders at bay and help set up the counter-attack.
Aside from picking up a player who does not have an extensive medical history, there is an economic incentive for United with these two moves. With the club essentially trading Pontius for Neagle the club will end up saving money. Pontius’ base salary last season was $365,000 while Neagle’s was $165,000. That $200,000 difference in salaries could be used by the club to either shore up the defense or to help boost their efforts in re-signing midfielder Perry Kitchen.
