2023 Loudoun United FC season

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.

Loudoun United FC
2023 season
Head coachRyan Martin
StadiumSegra Field
USL ChampionshipConference: TBD
Overall: TBD
USL CupTo be determined
U.S. Open CupRound of 32

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
Main article: 2022 Loudoun United FC season

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, 2022DF— Thomas Williamson Minnesota United 2Free[3]
December 15, 2022DF— Daniel Chica George Mason PatriotsFree[4]
December 23, 2022MF— Juan Daniel Ramírez AD AlcorcónFree[5]
January 10, 2023FW— Wesley Leggett St. John's Red StormFree[6]
January 12, 2023FW— Kalil ElMedkhar FC DallasFree[7]
January 13, 2023DF— Koa Santos Charlotte FCFree[8]
January 14, 2023FW— Zach Ryan New York Red BullsFree[9]
January 17, 2023DF— Kwame Awuah St. Louis City 2Free[10]
January 18, 2023DF— Yanis Leerman Pittsburgh PanthersFree[11]

Transfers out
Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref.
December 31, 2022DF3 Jacob Greene D.C. UnitedEnd of loan
DF6 Gaoussou Samaké D.C. UnitedEnd of loan
MF14 Jeremy Garay D.C. UnitedEnd of loan
January 17, 2023DF4 Carson Vom Steeg Memphis 901Free[12]

Club

Roster
As of October 4, 2023[13]
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Dane Jacomen  United States
2 DF Koa Santos  United States
3 DF Jake Morris (on loan from Columbus Crew)  United States
4 MF Aidan Rocha  United States
5 DF Yanis Leerman  France
6 DF Kwame Awuah  Canada
7 MF Abdoul Zanne (on loan from ASEC Mimosas)  Ivory Coast
8 MF Abdoul Koanda  Ivory Coast
9 FW Tommy Williamson  United States
10 MF Chris Hegardt (on loan from Charlotte FC)  United States
11 MF Jeremy Garay ([A])  El Salvador
12 DF Jacob Greene ([A])  United States
13 DF Nelson Martinez  United States
14 FW Wesley Leggett  United States
15 MF Alex Nagy  United States
16 DF Cole Turner  United States
17 MF Juan Ramírez  United States
18 DF Harvey Neville (on loan from Inter Miami CF)  Republic of Ireland
19 MF Landry Houssou  Ivory Coast
20 DF Daniel Chica  United States
22 MF Isaac Espinal  United States
23 MF Kalil ElMedkhar  United States
27 DF Bryce Washington  United States
28 FW Zach Ryan  United States
30 GK Hugo Fauroux  France
31 DF Graham Jones ([B])  United States
32 DF Dash Papez ([B])  United States
34 MF Brian Chavez ([B])  United States
35 DF Ethan Pendleton ([B])  United States
36 DF Jace Clark ([B])  United States
37 MF Ignacio Alem ([B])  United States
46 FW Xavier O'Neil ([B])  Trinidad and Tobago
53 GK Drew Hartman ([B])  United States
  1. ^
    Signed to first team contract with D.C. United.
    2.
  2. ^
    D.C. United Academy player.
    3.

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
Main article: 2023 USL Championship season

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


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
May 6 8 Loudoun United 1–2 Indy Eleven Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
May 13 9 El Paso Locomotive 1–0 Loudoun United El Paso, TX
TBD EDT Stadium: Southwest University Park
May 17 10 Loudoun United 1–3 New Mexico United Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
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
June 3 13 Monterey Bay FC 4–1 Loudoun United Seaside, CA
TBD EDT Stadium: Cardinale Stadium
June 9 14 Loudoun United 3–1 FC Tulsa Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
June 17 15 Miami FC 1–2 Loudoun United Miami, FL
TBD EDT Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
June 21 16 Birmingham Legion 2–0 Loudoun United Birmingham, AL
TBD EDT Stadium: Protective Stadium
June 24 17 Loudoun United 2–4 Tampa Bay Rowdies Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
June 30 18 Charleston Battery 3–0 Loudoun United
TBD EDT
July 3 19 Loudoun United 2–1 Hartford Athletic Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
July 8 20 Louisville City FC 1–0 Loudoun United
TBD EDT
July 12 21 Detroit City FC 1–1 Loudoun United
TBD EDT
July 15 22 Loudoun United 1–3 Orange County SC Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
July 29 23 Loudoun United 1–2 Miami FC Leesburg, VA
TBD EDT Stadium: Segra Field
August 2 24 Loudoun United 0–0 Memphis 901 FC Leesburg, VA
11:00 am EDT Stadium: Segra Field
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: 3,214
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
Referee: Melvin Rivas

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2023 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
1FW11 Zach Ryan10212
2MF23 Kalil ElMedkhar8210
3FW9 Tommy Williamson527
4MF12 Jackson Hopkins404
FW14 Wesley Leggett314
64 players with 1 goal
Total 31840
  • Last updated: October 12, 2023
  • Source: Team Stats

Top assists
Rank Position No. Name USLC USL Cup Total
Total 000
  • Last updated: October 26, 2022
  • Source: Team Stats

Disciplinary record
No. Pos. Player USLC USL Cup Total
     
Total000000000
  • Last updated: October 26, 2022
  • Source: Team Stats

Clean sheets
No. Name USLC USL Cup Total Games

See also

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Loudoun United sold to minor league baseball owner". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  3. Bollinger, Vanessa (December 15, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Thomas Williamson". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  4. Bollinger, Vanessa (December 15, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Defender Daniel Chica". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. Bollinger, Vanessa (December 23, 2022). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. Bollinger, Vanessa (January 10, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  7. Campo, Josef (January 12, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Kalil ElMedkhar". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  8. Campo, Josef (January 13, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign MLS Defender Laukoa Santos". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  9. Campo, Josef (January 14, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Forward Zach Ryan". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  10. Campo, Josef (January 17, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Canadian Kwame Awuah". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  11. Campo, Josef (January 18, 2023). "Loudoun United FC Sign Defender Yanis Leerman". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  12. "Memphis brings in defender Carson Vom Steeg". USL Championship. January 17, 2023.
  13. "Roster". Loudoun United FC. USL Championship. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  14. "Technical Staff". Loudoun United FC. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
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