Editor’s Note: We welcome guest contributor Adam Davis from Loudoun Stampede to help us wrap up the….well, it was a season for Loudoun United. That’s for sure. Enjoy!
It probably goes without saying that the 2020 Season was one that Loudoun United fans wished they could forget, but perhaps will never be able to. It consisted of lows across the board to include Loudoun taking home the worst record of any team in the USL Championship and being awarded “The USL Wooden Spoon.” That, coupled with the lack of an actual USL Championship Final due of COVID-19 (joint winners just seems icky), and it’s fair to say that we’re ready to move on. But before we box up the 2020 Season and tuck it away, we have to note that there were plenty of highs to the season as well; Lefebvre’s USL record-breaking night, Kairou’s amazing journey to suit up in the red and white, the first sporting event in the DMV since the pandemic, and the countless “stars of tomorrow” further refining their craft in the sport we all love.
Now, with the 2020 Season far enough behind us to let it lay, we can finally turn our eyes to 2021 and several unanswered questions that will likely begin making the rounds in the coming months. Here’s an attempt at trying to answer, from my perspective, some of those glaring questions ahead of the 2021 Season.
- With a change at the managerial-spot for DC United, can we anticipate any changes for our own coaching staff at Loudoun?
- In short, the answer is, ‘probably?’ While I don’t see a change in the actual staff, one would have to be blind to not think there will be changes. Early on in Coach Martin’s tenure, it was obvious that his weekly formation-strategy was designed to mirror Coach Olsen’s lineup needs. As time went on it seemed that Coach Martin was afforded some more flexibility and independence that he could lose with DC’s new coach. Additionally, with the continued unknowns surrounding professional sports in 2021 and COVID-19, we have no idea if the regulations about moving players between MLS and ULS rosters will be lifted to allow that kind of free-play to resume. This isolationism between DC and Loudoun certainly impacted our team and roster in 2020 and could do so again in 2021 or under a different DC staff. But lastly, because of Coach Martin’s experience and relationships with the DC Academy Players, it would be a surprise to have him shown the door.
- What players are going to be returning for Loudoun in 2021?
- While most USL Teams have or are in the process of, announcing their “returning players” to fans, Loudoun has yet to do so. This is likely because of the nature and design of Loudoun’s structure to be a highly competitive proving-ground for youngsters that might be able to play at the MLS-level; something that has been proven effective for multiple names already (Griffin Yow, Donovan Pines, Kevin Paredes, and Moses Nyeman). So, while we shouldn’t anticipate much news here, we can share what rumors have been circulating.
- One unconfirmed rumor is that our speedy winger from Niger, Kairou Amoustapha, has expressed that he hopes to be back under the lights at Segra in 2021 a few weeks back on social media during his International Call-up.
- We can likely anticipate at the very least to see DC’s 2020 Draft Picks back (other than Andrew Verdi?). Josh Fawole proved that he can be lethal at times and Ndour’s departure could see his minutes increased. Simon Lefebvre demonstrated he is a massive talent that needs continued play-time but with Seitz & Edwards’ contracts in the works in DC, he could also be pulled up to back up Hamid at Audi Field.
- What players are confirmed to not be returning for Loudoun in 2021?
- Jacob Greene’s signing to DC’s Offseason roster means they see a future in him and he is resigning his NCAA Eligibility to stick around. But while DC’s fullback situation continues to get thinner, he might have seen the last of Greene in Loudoun colors.
- Alioune Ndour is a confirmed departure to Belenenses in Portugal, and leaves as a highly talented striker that never really seemed to find the form that showed him storm the league at the end of the 2019 Season.
- Gabi Gomez, son of DC Legend Christian Gomez, returned to his former team in Argentina. I’m unsure whether he was here on a loan or not.
- Lastly, Club Captain Peabo Doue retired from professional soccer and is likely going to continue to work in the industry (still not sure what that means so maybe he sticks around in some capacity?).
- I anticipate this list to grow in the coming months. Players that are moving overseas will likely be announced sooner as most pro-leagues across the world are underway and they’ll want to use free agent signings as soon as possible.
- What young DC Academy Players can we anticipate suiting up for Loudoun in 2021?
- This is a tough question to answer as there isn’t a lot to be found on Loudoun United contracts. Ted Ku-DiPietro opted out of NCAA eligibility to play pro-soccer so he’s a name we could probably anticipate being back. Nelson Martinez and Adam Lundegard are other names that could stick around to fight for league-highs in red cards (kidding, they’re both super talented!) but as of right now it looks like Lundegard has been claimed by Clemson for the upcoming NCAA D1 Season. Jeremy Garay was a player that started red-hot in 2020 and actually fizzled out a bit as the season went on but I’d like to see him pick back up with the right midfield partnership.
- What veteran players do YOU want to see back?
- Tyler Gabarra’s versatility proved invaluable in the later parts of 2020 and I would like to see him continue to deliver at Segra.
- Michael Gamble brought a veteran presence to the locker room that we never really got from our former captain, Kyle Murphy, and I’d love to see him continue with the armband.
- I think that Shane Wiedt and Tim Mehl were both talented and played well when starting together. I’d like to see that partnership continue and shore up what was a shaky defense at the start of the season.
- Brandon Williamson was a highly talented player that we’d be lucky to have back next season. He was an expected 2nd Round Draft pick that was overlooked, perhaps because of his size. As Coach Martin’s confidence grew in him, he became integral to our attack and could be a regular starter for us if he sticks around next season.
- Other notables that I think are super talented and I’d like to see them continue to write their stories with us: Sorto, Ferrin, and Miller.
- What are some upcoming names that we should be on the lookout for from the DC Academy?
- If there’s a mix-up between the sticks, then look to youngsters Johnny Mennell & Sebastian Conlon to be brought up into the first team. Both are promising youngsters that have trained with the team on multiple occasions and cut their teeth at the academy-level.
- On the defensive side, Issa Mudashiru was a name that nabbed a start against Pittsburgh mid-season. His performance showed he still had some work to do before he was ready for that level but his inclusion and start demonstrate a high level of confidence that the coaching staff has in him. Liam Moore and Juston Rainey were further names that had been added to the team-sheet previously and are likely next in line to get their shot at the professional level.
Thanks for reading and following along.