DC United lost 0-1 to the New England Revolution in Week 6 of the 2026 MLS season. Louis Munteanu still has not started a game. Jon has a theory.
“Maybe he hates him. It’s entirely possible.”
Jon and Ted broke it all down on the latest RFK Refugees — the loss, the Munteanu situation, Aaron Herrera’s return, and whether this team should go all in on Wednesday’s Open Cup match against One Knoxville SC.
Watch the Full Episode
The Louis Munteanu Situation
Seven million dollars. Six weeks into the season. Zero starts.
Jon and Ted spent a significant portion of this episode trying to make sense of why Renée Wilder continues to not start his most expensive signing. The injury excuse has run its course — Munteanu is healthy and playing 30-minute cameos off the bench. He came on in the 60th minute against New England, logged 13 touches in 30 minutes, and by Ted’s assessment looked more mobile and better linked to the attack than Gabriel Pirani.
Jon’s theories: either Wilder genuinely believes the team around Munteanu isn’t good enough yet to support him, or he is making him earn it on principle regardless of salary. Ted’s theory: Wilder is saving him for when the roster improves in the summer window so his first extended run isn’t spent trying to create chances in a vacuum. Neither theory is fully satisfying. Both are possible.
What isn’t in question: Pirani is not the answer. Jon and Ted noted that of DC United’s four goals on the season, only two have come from open play. The attack is broken and has been broken all season. Munteanu is the most obvious lever to pull. He still isn’t being pulled.
Ted plans to ask Wilder directly on Thursday’s press conference. Expect a Swiss answer.
The Game
The lineup was essentially the same as every other week — Tai Baribo absent with injury, with Jackson Hopkins sliding into a false 9 role that neither host thought suited him. Too close to goal, not enough space to operate in, not his best. Wilder’s postgame was characteristically measured: this team cannot score right now, that is the reality, he is working with what he has.
The goal came from a rare poor moment from Silvan Hefti — standing up trying to play the ball, getting pushed off it, the defense freezing collectively, and a New England attacker pouncing. Not a systemic breakdown, just one of those moments. Sean Johnson was solid throughout, making saves that would have kept the score respectable even if the team had been more adventurous going forward.
The Bright Spots
Kye Rowles was back and both hosts agreed the Rowles-Lucas Bartlett partnership is the best defensive pairing DC United have had in years. Rowles’ heat map tells the story — he’s the more dynamic of the two, pushing into midfield to break up passes and start attacks, while Bartlett provides the physical presence alongside him.
Matti Peltola hit the post again. It is becoming his signature move. Renée Wilder has publicly noted that finishing from distance is not really his game, which makes it funnier every time it nearly goes in.
Gavin Turner came off the bench and played like a man with 10 seconds to make an impression. Both hosts appreciated the energy. Aaron Herrera returned and was solid — not flashy, five of five on crosses, but a noticeable improvement in width and service on the right side. His presence pushed Hefti into a more disciplined right back role, which is the intended dynamic.
Open Cup Wednesday
DC United host one Knocks in the Open Cup on Wednesday — a USL League One side that is competitive in their division and beat the Richmond Kickers 1-0. Jon’s position: full squad rotation, give Munteanu a start, let the fringe players make their case. The bench against New England — Stroud, Kijima, Markovic, Antley, Bono, Murrell, Clark, Turner, and Munteanu — is basically a full starting lineup on its own.
Ted argued a cup run could generate momentum and get the fanbase excited. Jon is skeptical this team has the attacking output to go deep. Both agreed Wednesday is the right time to find out.
Wilder’s Future
A listener question prompted Jon and Ted to address the elephant in the room: does Wilder get fired, or does he walk away first? Jon thinks dismissal is unlikely given the contract structure — paying out a highly paid manager is not something this ownership does lightly. Ted agrees Wilder seems measured and realistic enough to see the project through, but noted there have been reports of frustration behind the scenes after the 4-0 Dallas loss. Both hosts said they want to see him given the summer window and the winter window before any judgment is passed. He has talked about three transfer windows. He has had one.
The Eastern Conference being genuinely bad is the one thing keeping DC United in the playoff picture. They are still there. That matters.
Listen & Subscribe
📻 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rfk-refugees-podcast/id1352182194 📻 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73rjFEIH0cBScIuH6QFtSW
Extended analysis and full Patreon listener Q&A at the $5 tier 👉 patreon.com/rfkrefugees
RFK Refugees is a DC United and Washington Spirit podcast hosted by Jon Hoffman and Ted Meyer.