DC United fall 0-1 to the New England Revolution and Louis Munteanu still hasn't started a game. Jon has a theory. Renée Wilder won't say. Jon and Ted break down the loss, the Munteanu situation, Aaron Herrera's return, and whether this team should go all in on Wednesday's Open Cup match.

In this episode:

• DC United 0-1 New England Revolution: another clean sheet on the wrong side
• The Louis Munteanu situation: $7 million, still no start, Jon has questions
• Why does Renée Wilder keep starting the same lineup?
• Gabriel Pirani: grading on a curve per Jason Anderson, still not good enough per Jon
• Aaron Herrera returns: solid, five of five on crosses, right role in the system
• Kye Rowles back: DC's best defensive pairing in years
• Tai Baribo out injured — Foot Mob says mid-May
• Hakim Karamoko: still listed as illness, still no update
• Matti Peltola hits the post again — the brand is building
• Silvan Hefti and the goal conceded
• Jackson Hopkins as false 9: too close to goal, not his best
• Gavin Turner off the bench: flying around with something to prove
• Louis Munteanu's 30 minutes: what we saw
• Would Renée Wilder get fired or walk away first?
• Open Cup Wednesday vs one Knocks: full rotation? Jon says yes
• Listener Q&A: Atlanta transfers, Wilder's future, lineup questions

Extended analysis and full Patreon listener Q&A at the $5 tier: patreon.com/rfkrefugees

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Jon has a chat with Jason Anderson from Green Line Soccer (https://green-line-soccer.ghost.io/green-line-soccer-intro/) about DC United's season so far and touched briefly on the Washington Spirit's season that is much better than the standings would have you think.

Ted is here for a solo show to break down a bad loss to FC Dallas. He talks about what went wrong and what to look for from Rene moving forward. He answers listener questions and relays Cochella recomendations from Jon

DC United grind out a 0-0 draw in Atlanta and are somehow seven points from five games. The defense is excellent. The offense is not bringing anyone to the yard. Renée Wilder knows it, admits it, and is playing the hand he's been dealt. Jon and Ted break it all down — plus a full Washington Spirit recap after a 2-2 draw against Louisville Racing.

In this episode:

• DC United 0-0 Atlanta United: defensively stout, offensively anemic
• Renée Wilder admits the team can't score right now — and this is what he must do
• Silvan Hefti: early season MVP conversation
• Matti Peltola: another big game
• Brandon Servania: quietly his best performance of the season
• Gabriel Pirani: still the problem, still starting
• Peglow and the right wing situation — time for a change?
• Caden Clark and Hosei Kijima off the bench: immediate difference
• Jackson Hopkins as an eight — is Dax McCarty right?
• Gavin Turner's debut
• Aaron Herrera and Louis Munteanu: both back after the international break
• Hakim Karamoko: still listed as illness, still no update
• Is this the good version of Benny Ball?
• Would you rather be DC United or Atlanta right now?
• Listener Q&A: did we learn anything? Bunkering vs Dallas?
• Washington Spirit 2-2 Louisville Racing: so close, yet so far
• Sofia Cantore screamer from 25 yards
• Trinity Rodman concussion sub — will she start against Utah?
• Sandy McIver under the microscope
• Lucia de Guglielmo: the Silvan Hefti of the Spirit
• Hal Hirschfeld, Andy Sullivan's return, and the Croix Bethune discussion
• Claudia Martinez impressing early

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Vamos.

DC United pick up a fortuitous but very welcome 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. Jon and Ted break down the result, what it means for the season, and the rare good problem of having two right backs competing for a starting spot when Aaron Herrera returns from injury. Note: tonight's show was briefly interrupted by a storm in Fredericksburg — thanks for bearing with us.

In this episode:

• DC United 2-1 Chicago Fire: fortuitous but we'll take it
• Matti Peltola scores his first DC United goal — and was man of the match again
• Silvan Hefti continues to impress — early season MVP conversation
• Gabriel Pirani: nine to twelve listener questions can't be wrong
• Keisuke Kurokawa and set piece delivery looking sharper
• Jackson Hopkins' worst professional game — the handling call
• Louis Munteanu picks up an injury — Romanian media breaks the news
• Nikola Markovic late scratch — two keepers on the bench explained
• Aaron Herrera returning: does he start over Hefti?
• Caden Clark off the bench — still searching for impact
• Brandon Servania: a quietly better performance this week
• The racist/homophobic chant incident involving Tai Baribo — what happened and what should have happened
• Washington Spirit 0-1 Portland: opening day blues, Lucia de [confirm spelling] impresses, Gift Monday disconnected
• Trinity Rodman back healthy for a full 90
• Croix Bethune's absence felt in the attacking third

Extended analysis and full Patreon listener Q&A at the $5 tier: patreon.com/rfkrefugees

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Vamos.

70,000 fans in Baltimore. Lionel Messi. Wale at halftime. DC United falls 1-2 to Inter Miami, and the circus is officially over. Jon and Ted break down the spectacle, what it means for the club long-term, and whether the next two road games against Chicago and Atlanta are where this team finally finds its footing.

In this episode:

• DC United 1-2 Inter Miami: business success, soccer disappointment
• Renée Wilder's postgame: he's not rude, he's just Swiss
• Lucas Bartlett and the first goal — this one's on him
• Messi's goal: what can you do
• Gabriel Pirani: borderline invisible, days as a starter may be numbered
• Nikola Markovic comes on and immediately looks like he belongs
• Louis Munteanu: best performance yet — Jon says he starts next week
• Caden Clark off the bench: he's alive
• Jackson Hopkins semi-assist on Tai Baribo's goal — and should DC extend him now?
• Brandon Servania fading — is Markovic overtaking him?
• Supporter section issues in Baltimore
• Listener Q&A: the Baltimore charade, will Messi ever play at Audi Field, and more
• Chicago and Atlanta previews — over/under on points from the next two games

Extended analysis, full Patreon listener Q&A including the Aaron Herrera question, and more at the $5 tier: patreon.com/rfkrefugees

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Vamos.

DC United fall 1-0 to Austin FC on the road in Week 2 and Jon and Ted are back to work through it. The good vibes from Opening Day are on a temporary hiatus. Jon may have a concussion. Ted refereed youth soccer this weekend and called his first penalty kick. We're all fine.

In this episode:

• DC United 0-1 Austin FC: Renée Wilder's postgame explained
• The lineup change: Jared Stroud and Hosei Kijima in, Jackson Hopkins out, Caden Clark not even on the bench
• Matti Peltola and Silvan Hefti: the only two bright spots
• Tai Baribo: frustrated, limited service, still working
• Louis Munteanu: 13 minutes — when does he get his first start?
• Sean Johnson: elite shot stopping, crosses a growing concern
• Eastern Conference check: DC United in playoff position, the East is a mess
• Be More United in Baltimore: Wale at halftime and the deleted comments
• Trinity Rodman knee scare vs. Argentina
• Discord Q&A: Sean Johnson, Hosei Kijima and Keisuke Kurokawa, and more

Extended analysis, Inter Miami preview, and full Patreon listener Q&A at the $5 tier: patreon.com/rfkrefugees

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Vamos.

Welcome in ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, to RFK Refugees Podcast.

In this episode of the RFK Refugees podcast, hosts Ted and Jon discuss the NWSL offseason, focusing on DC United's roster decisions and the implications for the upcoming season. They analyze the players who have been let go, the potential for new signings, and the overall direction of the team. The conversation also touches on the challenges of the current MLS playoff schedule and the possibility of a shift to a fall-spring season. Listener questions are addressed, providing insights into fan perspectives and expectations for the future. In this conversation, Ted and Jon discuss various aspects of soccer, focusing on the MLS, DC United, and the NWSL. They explore seasonal trends in fan engagement, the future of the Leagues Cup, and the challenges of scheduling. The duo delves into DC United's need for a new goalkeeper, the transparency issues surrounding injury reporting in the NWSL, and the ownership's commitment to winning. They also reflect on the importance of a full-time academy and the expectations for the upcoming season, emphasizing the need for key signings to ensure playoff contention. The conversation wraps up with reflections on their podcasting journey and the community engagement that keeps them motivated.

00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap

02:59 NWSL Offseason Overview

06:07 DC United Roster Decisions

11:51 Analysis of Departing Players

18:01 Future Prospects and Team Strategy

23:57 Discussion on League Structure and Scheduling

29:58 Fan Questions and Closing Thoughts

33:09 Seasonal Trends in Soccer Engagement

36:47 DC United's Goalkeeper Dilemma

39:11 Ownership Commitment to Winning

41:25 Rebuilding the Roster: Expectations and Challenges

45:11 Key Signings for Playoff Contention

49:30 The Importance of a Full-Time Academy

55:25 Reflections on Podcasting and Community Engagement

01:00:05 Evaluating Player Transfers and Future Prospects

Join us Live Monday at 8:30PM and Subscribe so you can get this and every episode wherever you get your podcasts!

Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear and you want to help support our show and get exclusive content, head on over to our Patreon or subscribe to our Twitch page with your free Amazon sub (or your American Fiat Currency!)

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Vamos!

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