D.C. United made its first move of the summer transfer window today, acquiring former Atlanta United and University of Maryland player Gordon Wild. A native of Germany, Wild has a green card and will not require an international roster spot. United also announced that they had waived Akeem Ward, their first round draft pick in 2019’s MLS SuperDraft. The Washington Post’s Steve Goff broke the news of both moves earlier today.
Wild, 23, made his name in college soccer after time in FC Mainz’s academy. Starting out at the University of South Carolina Upstate, Wild scored 16 goals in 15 games before transferring to Sasho Cirovski’s perennial powerhouse. In College Park, Wild continued his success, posting a 17 goal/5 assist season in 2016 (eventually finishing as a runner-up to former United homegrown signing Ian Harkes for the MAC Hermann Trophy).
Wild added 5 goals in an injury-plagued 2017 season before opting to accept a Generation Adidas offer from MLS, and Atlanta United picked him up with the 37th overall pick at the 2018 SuperDraft. With a stacked roster, Atlanta sent Wild on a season-long loan to the Charleston Battery in the USL, where he scored 7 goals. This year, playing for Atlanta United 2, the plan was to convert the athletic Wild into a wingback, and he played 8 times in the USL Championship.
Ward’s time with United ends with him making one MLS appearance (a start in a 0-0 draw at Toronto FC back in May). The former ballboy at RFK Stadium also made 6 appearances on the gameday 18, and played 630 minutes for Loudoun United in the USL Championship. Per the report from Goff, United may still offer Ward a USL deal with Loudoun if he clears MLS waivers.