Pitch Pass

If you like a grown man whining about a sports team for 90 minutes, this episode of Pitch Pass is for you. Pablo Maurer joins Roche to discuss his latest articles on The Athletic including his column on the troubles with Audi Field. Then, the guys get into a hypothetical starting XI for D.C. United in 2020, Wayne Rooney's legacy, Lucho Acosta's legacy, who is to blame for DCU's meh...

Roche hates Felipe Martins! Whew! That felt good. Now, Roche and Felipe can move forward with an insightful conversation about Felipe's reputation amongst MLS (and especially DCU) fans, his incredible journey from Brazil to Europe to MLS, the difficulties he experienced in Vancouver, and the MLS urban legend featuring him and Frank Lampard. Pitch Pass is sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  ...

D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen joins Roche to discuss the life of a soccer dad and how/if to coach your kid, keeping an eye on the Academy, and the number 14 in DC history. Then, Roche compares Branko Boskovic and Zoltan Stieber and asks Olsen if Stieber is a luxury the team can afford. Plus, talk of DCU formations, Rooney's minutes, and transfer talk. It's a jam packed episode of Pitc...

New Loudoun United head coach Ryan Martin joins Roche to discuss his new role in the D.C. United organization, what Loudoun United means to the Black And Red, and, integrating youth players into the professional ranks. Then, Martin breaks down the homegrown signing process, the Pathway 2 Pro initiative, and the perception vs. reality of DCU. Listen and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Pitch...

D.C. United homegrown signing, Griffin Yow, joins Roche for this episode of Pitch Pass. The 16 year old has already made his first team debut for DCU and is a fixture in the Loudoun United starting XI. Hear when Yow knew he could compete with professionals, what Academy players could be following in his footsteps, and his excellent advice for players dreaming of a career as a professional soccer p...

Donovan Pines has had a fantastic start to his rookie season with D.C. United. In this episode of Pitch Pass, he gives his thoughts on his play thus far, the injury that has put his season on hold and how much time he'll miss, and the difference between USL and MLS. Plus, he explains why he's a Liverpool fan, how close he was to starting his career overseas, and why his teammates call hi...

Chris McCann joined D.C. United this season after winning the MLS Cup with Atlanta United last season, which was preceded by a long career in England. Now, the Irishman talks with Roche about his time in England, the Netflix documentary Sunderland Til I Die, the process of getting a green card, and whether he can still deal with cold weather now that he's in America.  Follow Pitch Pass on X a...

Orlando City hosts D.C. United and The Orlando Sentinel's Jordan Culver joins the show to discuss the Lions early season form, how they want to play, and the impact of Nani. Then, The Athletic's Pablo Maurer talks with Roche about Johan Cruyff, his worldwide and national legacy, why his "mixtapes" don't pop, and who would play Cruyff in the Netflix limited series about his...

Paul Arriola has been D.C. United's most in form player during the first two matches of the new MLS Season. He joins Roche to discuss his form, the cold, wet opener at Audi Field, USMNT Coach Gregg Berhalter's style, and more. Make sure you subscribe to Pitch Pass so you never miss an episode! Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

The new season of MLS is finally here! One of the marquee match ups during opening weekend is D.C. United hosting MLS Cup Champions, Atlanta United. Defender Steven Birnbaum joins Roche to discuss the #DCU preseason, the rash of weddings in the League this offseason, and Wayne Rooney's golf game. Then, The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas calls in to talk about Atlanta United's CONCACAF C...

D.C. United has a new Technical Director and he joins Roche on the latest episode of Pitch Pass. Dane Murphy has climbed the front office ladder at breakneck speed and discusses how he transitioned from player to exec so quickly. Then, he takes Roche behind the scenes at Loudoun United to talk roster building, establishing an organizational infrastructure, and how the Academy will play an importan...

The Athletic's Paul Tenorio joins Roche to discuss the Andrew Gutman loan saga and how MLS's "helicopter general managing" style escalated the situation. Will the owners address the League's meddling or will the players in the next CBA? Do either care enough to try and address it? Then, Paul and Roche discuss the future of solidarity payments in the U.S. as well as Russell...

D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper joins Roche to discuss DCU's eventful offseason. D.C. United is in a different reality now and Kasper explains what that means for the club in its negotiations with clubs in South America and throughout the world, how Loudoun United fits into the club's infrastructure, what it means for the Academy, and Dane Murphy's role in all of it. Plus, s...

Pitch Pass is back for a new MLS season! The Athletic's Pablo Maurer joins Roche in studio to go over a quietly eventful D.C. United offseason that included a new brodcast deal, contract negotiations with two key attackers, a Wayne Rooney kerfuffle, and more. Plus, what DIDN'T happen this offseason at Audi Field.  Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

D.C. United and Houston Dynamo legend Bobby Boswell joins Roche to discuss leg 2 of this round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Boswell gives his thoughts on why having the home match first is an advantage, the pressure Atlanta United players are constantly under, and how much stock to put in year end awards. He also discusses the upcoming CBA, what issues should and should not be important to the players...

The MLS Cup Playoffs are here! A preview of the Knockout Round match between D.C. United and Columbus Crew features Columbus Dispatch reporter, Andrew Erickson on #SavedTheCrew, the future of soccer in Columbus and Austin, winners and losers in the #SaveTheCrew drama, and if Crew SC has a chance against DCU. Then, Crew SC FW (and former D.C. United man) Patrick Mullins joins Roche to discuss how a...

D.C. United MF (and homegrown talent) Chris Durkin discusses his absence from the USMYNT U-20 squad, his growth during the season, his broken nose, his passing vision, and more. Then, ESPN's Sebastian "Hot Take Sebi" Salazar joins Roche to marvel at DCU's turnaround, their playoff chances, the future of Lucho Acosta, the rise of hot takes in sports, and more.  Follow Pitch Pass...

Two legends of D.C. United join Roche to share some memories and stories of RFK Stadium. Bobby Boswell and Chris Pontius give some career highlights on the field and tell Roche some of the strange things associated with working daily at RFK. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

Roche is joined by ESPN's Sebastian Salazar to discuss D.C. United's new stadium, Audi Field, the debut of global superstar, Wayne Rooney, and the supporters' groups controversy and how divisive it has become for all the fans of the club. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

MF Russell Canouse on his bond with Wayne Rooney, the injury that wiped out the first half of his season, his guitar playing ability, and his Spanish lessons. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

This week, D.C. United announced their Pathway 2 Pro initiative. Journalist Charles Boehm joins Roche to discuss what P2P is, how it will work, and what it means for the D.C. United Academy and youth soccer in the DMV. Then, DCU Academy grad Jalen Robinson discusses his path from the Academy to the first team. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

It's been a long road back for D.C. United's longest tenured player. But Nick DeLeon is back and ready to contribute to DCU's playoff push. Nick talks about his journey to get back on the pitch and the self pity that crept in. He also shares his excitement about playing at Audi Field, with Wayne Rooney, and the opportunity to jump into the attack from his RB position. Follow Pitch P...

We coach Thomas Rongen about MLS Cup Playoffs, the 4-3-3 formation in MLS (great insight here), Freddy Adu's future and much more. Don't miss this one. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

MLS Cup Preview Edition: We talk to Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri about his playoff beard, trash talking with Federico Higuain, craft beer drinker and MLS Cup. In the second segment, CSN-Washington anchor and reporter Sebastian Salazar joins us to breakdown MLS Cup. Don't miss this one! Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky

Columbus Crew SC winger Ethan Finlay calls in to talk about his Eye Of The Tiger compression shorts, his acting and directing skills, NY Red Bulls and more. Follow Pitch Pass on X and Bluesky