D.C. United announced today that Lamar Neagle, who was the team’s leading scoring during the 2016 season, has been traded to the Seattle Sounders for 4th round draft pick in next year’s MLS SuperDraft. Neagle’s departure helps clear space on the senior roster for United, who look to remain busy for the remainder of the transfer window.
A source confirmed to Black and Red United that D.C. United will carry some of the cap hit for Neagle for the remainder of the season.
Neagle originally joined United in December 2015, leaving Seattle in exchange for general allocation money and targeted allocation money. Neagle scored minutes into his competitive debut for the Black-and-Red, giving United an early lead to start the 2016 season against the LA Galaxy, a game which the Galaxy would eventually win 4-1.
Due to his usefulness at several positions, Neagle rotated between a winger and a forward for head coach Ben Olsen for most of 2016. He was a starter for most of the first half of the season, but the acquisition of Patrick Mullins, Lloyd Sam, and the return of Patrick Nyarko relegated Neagle to a reserve role. However, Neagle shined in that role, and even produced when he was given the occasional start. He ended the 2016 MLS season with nine goals and six assists across 31 appearances (21 starts).
Like just about every United player, 2017 has not gone as well for Neagle. He was never able to get back into a regular starting role, though he has appeared in all but one game for the Black-and-Red this season. In addition, Neagle’s production fell off, as he has only one goal and zero assists this season. His only goal came from a penalty kick against the Vancouver Whitecaps back in May, and he had another spot kick saved by Andre Blake against the Philadelphia Union back in June.
With the addition of Bruno Miranda, and the impending arrival of Zoltan Stieber, Neagle would have found playing time even harder to come by. Instead, now the native Washingtonian heads back home to the club where he spent five seasons.