Julian Buescher says goodbye to D.C. United

Yesterday we talked about whether D.C. United should retain the services of Julian Buescher for a third season. Today in an Instagram post the 24 year old midfielder made it sure sound like the decision’s already been made:

Buescher was taken 11th in the 2016 MLS Superdraft after the Black-and-Red acquired the pick from Sporting Kansas City for Targeted Allocation Money, and the Generation Adidas member appeared in 20 games for D.C. in 2016, starting 3, with a goal and 4 assists to his name.

This season found his playing time drop dramatically, appearing in 7 games and starting 2, before an August loan to the USL Rochester Rhinos was made both to free up an international roster spot to accommodate Zoltan Stieber and to give Buescher some minutes, and he appeared in 12 of the Rhinos’ final 16 matches, starting 5.

Assuming this is correct, this move gives D.C. the chance to do several things. First, Buescher’s spot on the supplemental roster opens up, allowing D.C. the chance to add it with another Generation Adidas member or draft pick (they are slated to pick third in the 2018 draft). Second, with the return of 3 international roster spots at the end of the year (1 goes to Houston for the 2018 season) it gives D.C. additional versatility for any international signing; currently D.C. has 2 senior roster spots they can use before decisions on expiring contracts and/or contract options for Patrick Nyarko, Sean Franklin, Lloyd Sam, Marcelo Sarvas, Jared Jeffrey, Deshorn Brown and Chris Rolfe are made. Third, with a pending expansion draft, D.C. would not have to include Buescher on its protected list due to his GA status, but this post seems to make it moot.

Nevertheless, if this is true we wish Julian well and hope we see him again in the future.