2023 Loudoun United FC season
| 2023 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Ryan Martin | ||
| Stadium | Segra Field | ||
| USL Championship | Conference: TBD Overall: TBD | ||
| USL Cup | To be determined | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | ||
|
| |||
The 2023 season was Loudoun United FC's fifth season of existence, their fifth in the second-division of American soccer, and their fifth in the USL Championship.
The club had originally planned to begin the season playing in MLS Next Pro, the reserve league for Major League Soccer, however due to a legal agreement for leasing Segra Field, United is required to play in the second division, requiring the club to remain in USL Championship.
On February 2, 2023, Loudoun United FC was sold to Attain Sports and Entertainment, which owns minor league baseball teams Bowie Baysox and Frederick Keys.[1] D.C. United will continue to own a minority stake in Loudoun United.[2] Furthermore, the change of ownership also means that Loudoun United will become eligible to participate in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup.
Background
Only four players from the previous year's squad (not including those signed to the first team in DC or members of the D.C. United Academy) remained with the team in 2023: Dane Jacomen, Isaac Espinal, Landry Nanan Houssou, and Abdoul Zanne (whose loan from ASEC Mimosas was extended through 2023). All other players who signed with Loudoun in 2022 were recalled by their loaner teams, or were out of contract and signed elsewhere. To make up for the roster shortfall, the team signed a whopping 16 players to different deals to replace the ones who left. From players with experience on other USL teams or reserve sides for MLS teams, to former D.C. United draft picks, to young international stars who showed promise.
With new ownership in place, the team could focus on building a cohesive unit and winning games as opposed to prioritizing the development of players for the first team in D.C. However, D.C. United still held a minority stake in Loudoun, and used the squad to give some of its academy players and reserve squad members some playing time: Jeremy Garay and Gaoussou Samake, who had spent most of their previous years playing with Loudoun even as they were signed to DC, were sent back to Loudoun on season-long loans. In addition, multiple Academy players trained with Loudoun and a handful (including Ethan Pendleton and Xavier O'Neil) were later added to the full roster.
Having new ownership separate from D.C. United allowed Loudoun to participate in the US Open Cup for the first time in their short history. Loudoun entered the second round as the home team against North Carolina FC, and emerged victorious with a 2–1 win in Extra Time. The team managed to draw a home game in the third round as well, with Flower City Union chosen as the visiting side.
Transfers
Transfers in
| Date | Position | No. | Name | From | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 13, 2022 | DF | — | Thomas Williamson | Minnesota United 2 | Free | [3] |
| December 15, 2022 | DF | — | Daniel Chica | George Mason Patriots | Free | [4] |
| December 23, 2022 | MF | — | Juan Daniel Ramírez | AD Alcorcón | Free | [5] |
| January 10, 2023 | FW | — | Wesley Leggett | St. John's Red Storm | Free | [6] |
| January 12, 2023 | FW | — | Kalil ElMedkhar | FC Dallas | Free | [7] |
| January 13, 2023 | DF | — | Koa Santos | Charlotte FC | Free | [8] |
| January 14, 2023 | FW | — | Zach Ryan | New York Red Bulls | Free | [9] |
| January 17, 2023 | DF | — | Kwame Awuah | St. Louis City 2 | Free | [10] |
| January 18, 2023 | DF | — | Yanis Leerman | Pittsburgh Panthers | Free | [11] |
Transfers out
| Date | Position | No. | Name | To | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | DF | 3 | Jacob Greene | D.C. United | End of loan | |
| DF | 6 | Gaoussou Samaké | D.C. United | End of loan | ||
| MF | 14 | Jeremy Garay | D.C. United | End of loan | ||
| January 17, 2023 | DF | 4 | Carson Vom Steeg | Memphis 901 | Free | [12] |
Club
Roster
- As of October 4, 2023[13]
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | USA | Dane Jacomen |
| 2 | DF | USA | Koa Santos |
| 3 | DF | USA | Jake Morris (on loan from Columbus Crew) |
| 4 | MF | USA | Aidan Rocha |
| 5 | DF | FRA | Yanis Leerman |
| 6 | DF | CAN | Kwame Awuah |
| 7 | MF | CIV | Abdoul Zanne (on loan from ASEC Mimosas) |
| 8 | MF | CIV | Abdoul Koanda |
| 9 | FW | USA | Tommy Williamson |
| 10 | MF | USA | Chris Hegardt (on loan from Charlotte FC) |
| 11 | MF | SLV | Jeremy Garay ([A]) |
| 12 | DF | USA | Jacob Greene ([A]) |
| 13 | DF | USA | Nelson Martinez |
| 14 | FW | USA | Wesley Leggett |
| 15 | MF | USA | Alex Nagy |
| 16 | DF | USA | Cole Turner |
| 17 | MF | USA | Juan Ramírez |
| 18 | DF | IRL | Harvey Neville (on loan from Inter Miami CF) |
| 19 | MF | CIV | Landry Houssou |
| 20 | DF | USA | Daniel Chica |
| 22 | MF | USA | Isaac Espinal |
| 23 | MF | USA | Kalil ElMedkhar |
| 27 | DF | USA | Bryce Washington |
| 28 | FW | USA | Zach Ryan |
| 30 | GK | FRA | Hugo Fauroux |
| 31 | DF | USA | Graham Jones ([B]) |
| 32 | DF | USA | Dash Papez ([B]) |
| 34 | MF | USA | Brian Chavez ([B]) |
| 35 | DF | USA | Ethan Pendleton ([B]) |
| 36 | DF | USA | Jace Clark ([B]) |
| 37 | MF | USA | Ignacio Alem ([B]) |
| 46 | FW | TRI | Xavier O'Neil ([B]) |
| 53 | GK | USA | Drew Hartman ([B]) |
- ^ Signed to first team contract with D.C. United.
- ^ D.C. United Academy player.
Staff
- As of June 10, 2023[14]
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| Executive Business Officer | Doug Raftery |
| General Manager | Stewart Mairs |
| Assistant General Manager | Clarens Cheridieu |
| Technical staff | |
| Head Coach | Ryan Martin |
| Assistant Coach | Mattar M'Boge |
| Assistant Coach | Garland "GR" Cannon |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Jack Stefanowski |
| Head of Performance | Claudio Altieri |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Teresse Rehwoldt |
| Equipment Manager | TJ Salzberg |
Non-competitive
Preseason exhibitions
| February 11 | Richmond Kickers | 1–1 | Loudoun United | Midlothian, VA |
| 1:00 p.m. EDT | Gomiero 62' | Report | Williamson 54' | Stadium: River City Sportsplex Attendance: 100 |
| February 19 | Loudoun United | 2–1 | New York Red Bulls II | |
| 1:00 p.m. EDT | Report |
Midseason exhibitions
| August 5 | Loudoun United | 2–4 | Ethiopia | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 1:00 p.m. EDT | Report | Dagnachew 30' Bekele 54' Tamene 63' (pen.) Endeshaw 76' |
Stadium: Segra Field |
Competitive
USL Championship
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Detroit City FC | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 30 | 39 | −9 | 41 | Playoffs |
| 9 | Miami FC | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 43 | 44 | −1 | 41 | |
| 10 | FC Tulsa | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 43 | 55 | −12 | 39 | |
| 11 | Loudoun United FC | 34 | 7 | 23 | 4 | 36 | 61 | −25 | 25 | |
| 12 | Hartford Athletic | 34 | 4 | 24 | 6 | 40 | 79 | −39 | 18 |
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
Match results
| March 11 1 | Memphis 901 | 1–3 | Loudoun United | Memphis, TN |
| 5:00 pm EST | Kissiedou 37', 63' Ward 41' Nascimento 47' Smith 71' |
Report | Williamson 8' 27' Ryan 11', 90+4' Armenakas 49' Houssou 63' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 4,001 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| March 19 2 | Loudoun United | 1–1 | San Antonio FC | Leesburg, VA |
| 4:00 pm EDT | Ryan 35', 90+1' Turner 53' |
Report | Bailone 55' | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,411 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
| March 25 3 | FC Tulsa | 3–0 | Loudoun United | Tulsa, OK |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Dyer 28' Ferri 45+1' Yosef 46' Corrales 53' Bourgeois 90+3' Epps 90+5' |
Report | Turner 29' Williamson 36' |
Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 4,565 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| April 1 4 | Loudoun United | 0–1 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | Leesburg, VA |
| 4:00 pm EDT | Samaké 44' | Report | Williams 5' Herrera 19' |
Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,379 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
| April 15 5 | Loudoun United | 3–0 | Birmingham Legion | Leesburg, VA |
| 6:00 pm EDT | Leggett 32' ElMedkhar 42' Houssou 50' Ryan 69', 90+4' Rocha 81' |
Report | Rufe 54' | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,505 Referee: Luis Arroyo |
| April 23 6 | Loudoun United | 2–0 | Oakland Roots | Leesburg, VA |
| 4:00 pm EDT | Ryan 30' (pen.) Armenakas 58' Williamson 60' Leerman 64' Zanne 90+1' |
Report | Tamacas 27' Morad 29' Mfeka 39' Reid 75' Kohler 75' Murray 90+1' |
Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,061 Referee: Cristian Campo Hernández |
| April 29 7 | Phoenix Rising | 3–1 | Loudoun United | Phoenix, AZ |
| TBD EDT | Report | Stadium: Rising Soccer Stadium Attendance: 7,334 |
| May 6 8 | Loudoun United | 1–2 | Indy Eleven | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,214 |
| May 13 9 | El Paso Locomotive | 1–0 | Loudoun United | El Paso, TX |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 6,723 |
| May 17 10 | Loudoun United | 1–3 | New Mexico United | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 1,527 |
| May 20 11 | Hartford Athletic | 2–0 | Loudoun United | Hartford, CT |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium |
| May 28 12 | Loudoun United | 0–1 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,880 |
| June 3 13 | Monterey Bay FC | 4–1 | Loudoun United | Seaside, CA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 3,054 |
| June 9 14 | Loudoun United | 3–1 | FC Tulsa | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Referee: 4,007 |
| June 17 15 | Miami FC | 1–2 | Loudoun United | Miami, FL |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium Attendance: 1,357 |
| June 21 16 | Birmingham Legion | 2–0 | Loudoun United | Birmingham, AL |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 4,572 |
| June 24 17 | Loudoun United | 2–4 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,189 |
| June 30 18 | Charleston Battery | 3–0 | Loudoun United | |
| TBD EDT | Attendance: 3,359 |
| July 3 19 | Loudoun United | 2–1 | Hartford Athletic | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,907 |
| July 8 20 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Loudoun United | Louisville, KY |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,709 |
| July 12 21 | Detroit City FC | 1–1 | Loudoun United | Hamtramck, MI |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 5,291 |
| July 15 22 | Loudoun United | 1–3 | Orange County SC | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,458 |
| July 29 23 | Loudoun United | 1–2 | Miami FC | Leesburg, VA |
| TBD EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 1,992 |
| August 2 24 | Loudoun United | 0–0 | Memphis 901 FC | Leesburg, VA |
| 11:00 am EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,416 |
| August 9 25 | San Diego Loyal | 2–1 | Loudoun United | San Diego, CA |
| 10:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Torero Stadium Attendance: 3,214 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| August 12 26 | Las Vegas Lights | 0–3 | Loudoun United | Las Vegas, NV |
| 9:30 PM EDT | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,819 Referee: Lorenzo Hernandez |
| August 19 27 | Loudoun United | 1–3 | Sacramento Republic | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,665 Referee: Greg Dopka |
| August 26 28 | Indy Eleven | 2–1 | Loudoun United | Indianapolis, IN |
| 8:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Michael A. Carroll Stadium Attendance: 10,137 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| September 9 29 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 3–1 | Loudoun United | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 5,512 Referee: JC Griggs |
| September 16 30 | Loudoun United | 2–2 | Charleston Battery | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,017 Referee: Alex Billeter |
| September 23 31 | Loudoun United | 1–2 | Louisville City FC | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 1,271 Referee: Kyle Johnston |
| September 30 32 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 1–0 | Loudoun United | St. Petersburg, FL |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,345 Referee: Jonathan Bilinski |
| October 7 33 | Loudoun United | 0–3 | Detroit City FC | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 4,389 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
| October 14 34 | Rio Grande Valley FC | 2–1 | Loudoun United | Edinburg, TX |
| 9:00 PM EDT | Stadium: H-E-B Park Attendance: 4,843 Referee: Melvin Rivas |
U.S. Open Cup
Match results
| April 5 Second round | Loudoun United (USLC) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | North Carolina FC (USL1) | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 pm EDT | Ryan 8' ElMedkhar 72' Leggett 86', 117' Garay 120+1' |
Report | Servania 68' Lue Young 86' Garcia 93' Fernandes 120' |
Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 2,779 Referee: Kenneth Rojas |
| April 26 Third round | Loudoun United (USLC) | 5–0 | Flower City Union (NISA) | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 pm EDT | Williamson 6', 35' Garay 20' Ryan 39' Zanne 49' ElMedkhar 61' Leggett 89' |
Report | Calfo 12' | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 250 Referee: Melvin Rivas |
| May 10 Round of 32 | Loudoun United (USLC) | 1–5 | Columbus Crew (MLS) | Leesburg, VA |
| 7:00 pm EDT | Report | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,201 Referee: Luis Arroyo |
Statistics
Top scorers
| Rank | Position | No. | Name | USLC | US Open Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | 11 | Zach Ryan | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 2 | MF | 23 | Kalil ElMedkhar | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | FW | 9 | Tommy Williamson | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 4 | MF | 12 | Jackson Hopkins | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| FW | 14 | Wesley Leggett | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
| 6 | 4 players with 1 goal | |||||
| Total | 31 | 8 | 40 | |||
- Last updated: October 12, 2023
- Source: Team Stats
Top assists
| Rank | Position | No. | Name | USLC | USL Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
- Last updated: October 26, 2022
- Source: Team Stats
Disciplinary record
| No. | Pos. | Player | USLC | USL Cup | Total | ||||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Last updated: October 26, 2022
- Source: Team Stats
Clean sheets
| No. | Name | USLC | USL Cup | Total | Games |
|---|
See also
References
- ^ "D.C. United Ownership Group Partners with Attain Sports & Entertainment to Transfer Controlling Ownership at United Soccer League Championship Club Loudoun United FC". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "Loudoun United sold to minor league baseball owner". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ Bollinger, Vanessa (December 15, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Thomas Williamson". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Bollinger, Vanessa (December 15, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Defender Daniel Chica". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Bollinger, Vanessa (December 23, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Bollinger, Vanessa (January 10, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Campo, Josef (January 12, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Campo, Josef (January 13, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign MLS Defender Laukoa Santos". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Campo, Josef (January 14, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Zach Ryan". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Campo, Josef (January 17, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Canadian Kwame Awuah". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Campo, Josef (January 18, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Defender Yanis Leerman". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Memphis brings in defender Carson Vom Steeg". USL Championship. January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Roster". Loudoun United FC. USL Championship. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved February 21, 2023.