DC United signs Lukas MacNaughton as questions loom over defensive struggles | OneFootball

DC United get their first roster move of the offseason, setting up a 2025 comeback. The club has announced the acquisition of Canadian defender Lukas MacNaughton from Nashville SC in exchange for up to $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), split between $150k guaranteed for 2025 and an additional $50k conditional for 2026. Aged 29 years into his life, MacNaughton brings three seasons of MLS experience into the team as he joins with the aim to make the backline of the team tight.

Lukas MacNaughton is a defender who has made 65 appearances in MLS for Toronto FC and Nashville SC, scoring 2 goals and making 1 assist across those appearances. While perhaps not known too well internationally, he earned his call-up through steady work at the club level.

The defender also earned a call-up to the Canadian national team, making a single appearance in a friendly match against Bahrain in November 2022. MacNaughton's arrival is intended to give the coaching staff more options and add depth to the squad. DC United's general manager and head of soccer operations, Ally Mackay, underlined the importance of the signing:

“Lukas is an experienced defender with impressive defensive awareness and league experience playing for both Toronto FC and Nashville SC. We’re excited to bring him into the team and strengthen our defensive depth ahead of the 2025 season.”

DC United’s defensive struggles required reinforcements

After all, DC United's performance in 2024 showed that there was a need for some changes, especially in the backline. The team finished in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with 40 points, missing out on the Audi MLS Cup playoffs because of a tiebreaker. This outcome emphasized how important it is to address defensive flaws that cost crucial points throughout the season.

Another year outside of the playoffs underlined changes needed to be made, and defensive consistency is key to high performance in the MLS-and that is where MacNaughton fits in.

He does not arrive as a certain starter but as an option for the team that must solve all the shortcomings in the defensive part. Whether as a rotational element or as an reliable substitute, MacNaughton will add another level of depth which might be important to navigate throughout the long season.

The drought for playoffs continues in DC United

The last time DC United qualified for the MLS playoffs was back in 2019, and the team struggles in the 2024 season were another blow to its ambition. Missing the playoffs again frustrated the fanbase and left the front office with no choice but to be definitive in order to change that situation around.

The expectation now is that MacNaughton will integrate quickly into the squad and provide the defensive support needed to stabilize the backline. While he isn't arriving as a marquee signing, his experience in the league could make him a dependable option when called upon.