Pitch Pass

D.C. United's Jackson Hopkins: Rene Weiler's Direct Communication Style Is What I Need

It's been a cautious optimism regarding D.C. United's first half of the season. As they head into the World Cup break, the team sits firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot. As they prepare for their last match before the WC break, Roche spoke with homegrown midfielder Jackson Hopkins about the vibes in the locker room, Rene Weiler's direct approach to communication, his best position, his role as a marketing face for the club, and so much more.  Follow Jackson on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/hopkinsjacks0n/] Follow Pitch Pass on X [https://twitter.com/PitchPass] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/gregoryroche.bsky.social]

Apple TV's Dax McCarty on D.C. United's Needs

After a productive week D.C. United is trending up. But how much stock can we put in the last two matches after a month of disappointment that proceeded it?  To give some perspective, Roche checks in with former MLS great and current Apple TV broadcaster, Dax McCarty. McCarty recently called DCU's match vs RBNY and saw firsthand what the Black and Red are doing right, what still needs to improve, and where the club should be looking to upgrade.  Follow Dax on X [https://x.com/DaxMcCarty11] and tune in to Apple TV's coverage of MLS all season long.  Follow Pitch Pass on X [https://twitter.com/PitchPass] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/gregoryroche.bsky.social]

Matti Peltola: I've Stepped Up My Game Since Weiler's Arrival

It's been a solid (not spectacular) start to D.C. United's season and one of the standouts through the first two matches has been Matti Peltola. Roche sits down with the DCU midfielder about his strong start, what he attributes it to, Finnish weather, set piece defending, Kurokawa's fitness, and Silvan Hefti's blatant copping of Matti's style.  Come for Matti's thoughts on the Black and Red's early season form, stay for Roche hopelessly trying to justify thinking Peltola was left footed.  Follow Pitch Pass on X [https://twitter.com/PitchPass] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/gregoryroche.bsky.social]

D.C. United 2026 Season Is Here! Yay?

Was Roche thinking of not doing a D.C. United season preview? Yes. But, this is a D.C. United podcast, so here we are. Roche is joined by Jason Anderson of the newly created Green Line Soccer, to discuss what we should be looking for as the Black and Red begin their 2026 season. Can the guys sell you on why being boring is better than being awful? Listen and find out. Also, where is Aaron Herrera and Gabi Pirani, who is going to play in central midfield, and why is there not a third DP?  Then, Roche joins David Gass on Soccerwise to discuss DCU's prospects for this year.  Finally, Jason rejoins the show to discuss Green Line Soccer and his vision for how he will cover soccer in the DMV.  Subscribe to Green Line Soccer here. [https://green-line-soccer.ghost.io/] Subscribe to Soccerwise here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccerwise/id1752138229] Follow Jason on Bluesky. [https://bsky.app/profile/jasondcsoccer.bsky.social] Follow Pitch Pass on X [https://twitter.com/PitchPass] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/gregoryroche.bsky.social]

Ally Mackay is OUT at D.C. United

Another day, another change in leadership at D.C. United. Ally Mackay is out as Chief Soccer Officer of DCU and with rumors swirling of a new CSO already in place, it's a good time to reset (again) where the club stands as another disappointing season draws to a close. Pablo Maurer joins the pod to discuss where it all went wrong between the club and Mackay, what we know about the rumored replacement for him, and how the first month of Weiler ball has looked. Then, Roche laments the lack of an MLSNext Pro team and what it means for the club and the DMV.  Here is the full Fox5 interview with Kaplan and Levien.  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktHycdboaXM] Here is the conversation they had with The District Press.  [https://thedistrictpress.com/2025/09/16/dc-united-owners-jason-levien-steve-kaplan-speak-candidly-on-team-struggles-need-to-rebuild-support/] Follow Pablo on Bluesky.  [https://bsky.app/profile/mlsist.bsky.social] Follow Pitch Pass on X [https://twitter.com/PitchPass] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/gregoryroche.bsky.social]