DC United did not waste much time in preparing for the 2025 MLS season. Coming from a resounding 10th place in the Eastern Conference after the 2024 campaign, the club seems very determined to turn around its fortune in this field. The latest signing is Randall Leal, a midfielder from Costa Rica, and he will be injected into the team's creative core to revive it. Signed through 2025 with an option for 2026, Leal promises versatility, experience, and the touch of class the Black-and-Red desperately need.
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A midfielder with something to prove
Released by Nashville SC after five seasons, Leal joins DC United with a track record of 17 goals and 21 assists in 117 games. He can play centrally or out wide, using his vision and technical skill to break down opposing defenses.
The signing of Leal does beg an interesting question: why would Nashville part ways with such a productive player? That may be the very fuel Leal needs to prove his worth in a new environment, and that feels like he has something to prove, which could spell good news for DC United.
Why did DC United bet on Leal?
General Manager Ally Mackay was not shy with his thoughts on bringing on the Costa Rican: "Randall is a talented midfielder with league and international experience. He has great passing range and an eye for goal."
Also, Leal is that kind of player who raises the overall technical level in this team, one that opens different possibilities and variations in a game while having a coherent approach to play.
Roster overhaul
Leal's arrival is just one of several offseason moves. DC United has already made nine signings, signaling a significant roster overhaul. So, the question remains: is this a strategic plan or an attempt to desperately fix past mistakes?
It might not be, of course-the real answer likely comes out in the balancing of those signings. There are some, for sure, like a youth with upside or some rebuilding careers that make certain signings more dicey, while Leal's adds that stability and experience. And maybe that is precisely what DC United does to find some real consistency, as they haven't often enjoyed over the past few seasons.