WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2022) – D.C. United have announced the acquisition of Goalkeeper David Ochoa from Real Salt Lake in exchange for $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM). Ochoa will occupy a Homegrown roster slot.
Ochoa will join D.C. United for the remainder of the 2022 season. Should D.C. United re-sign Ochoa to a new Major League Soccer contract effective for the 2023 season, Real Salt Lake will receive $150,000 GAM in 2023 and $150,000 GAM in 2024. Additionally, if D.C. United transfer Ochoa during the 2022 season then Real Salt Lake will receive $300,000 GAM in 2023. Real Salt Lake hold a 25% sell-on fee, should D.C. United permanently transfer Ochoa outside of MLS.
“David is an extremely talented and competitive goalkeeper,” said Dave Kasper, President of Soccer Operations. “We believe he has the ability to make an immediate impact for us this season, and someone who we consider a viable option for us longer-term as we evaluate the goalkeeper position beyond 2022.”
Ochoa signed a Homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake on November 28, 2018. The goalkeeper made his professional debut on April 18, 2018 for the Real Monarchs, Real Salt Lake’s United Soccer League side, at the age of 17, which made him the second youngest goalkeeper to debut at the USL level to-date. In his first professional season, Ochoa led the Real Monarchs to the 2019 USL Championship title. He started and played in 20 matches and recorded 69 saves from 96 shots faced while capturing four clean sheets in 1,830 minutes. He started all four playoff games and recorded 15 saves on the way to the title.
Ochoa made his Major League Soccer debut on November 8, 2020 against Sporting Kansas City and recorded four saves. In 2021, Ochoa won the starting goalkeeping position for Real Salt Lake where he played and started in 25 matches, registering five clean sheets and 83 saves.
“We’re excited to add David, who we view as one of the best young goalkeepers in our league to our roster for the rest of this season,” said Lucy Rushton, D.C. United General Manager. “In addition to his talent, he’s a fierce competitor who has a passion for winning that we believe can be a catalyst for us moving forward.”
On the youth international stage, Ochoa was a regular for the U.S. Youth National Team, helping the U-20 team qualifying for the 2019 U-20 World Cup in Poland after the U.S. captured its second consecutive CONCACAF U-20 championship. Ochoa was called up the U.S. Men’s National Team for an international friendly in December 2020 but was later replaced due to injury. Earlier this year, Ochoa – who has dual-citizenship with both the United States and Mexico – declared his decision to represent the Mexican National Team at the senior level. In June, he was selected to the Mexican National Team roster for the CONCACAF Nations League Tournament.
Player:David Ochoa
Position:Goalkeeper
Birthplace:Oxnard, California
Country:United States
Birthdate:January 16, 2001
Age:21
Height:6’2”
Weight:172 lbs
Previous Club:Real Salt Lake
Status:Homegrown
Transaction:D.C. United acquire goalkeeper David Ochoa in exchange for $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money.Should D.C. United re-sign Ochoa to a new Major League Soccer contract effective for the 2023 season, Real Salt Lake will receive $150,000 GAM in 2023 and $150,000 GAM in 2024. Additionally, if D.C. United transfer Ochoa during the 2022 season then Real Salt Lake will receive $300,000 GAM in 2023. Real Salt Lake hold a 25% sell-on fee, should D.C. United permanently transfer Ochoa outside of MLS.
