As March begins and Women’s History Month kicks off, D.C. United is highlighting the female pioneers who are paving the way in sports. Throughout the month, the club will showcase its female staff members, with nearly 50% of staff identifying as women. Led by Danita Johnson, one of the first Black female presidents in MLS history, D.C. United is dedicated to supporting and uplifting women in sports year-round. Through internal initiatives like Women United, that helps women in transition gain and maintain employment and community partnerships with local nonprofits like House of Ruth, the club fosters community and advocates for gender equality. This month, D.C. United celebrates the contributions of women to help inspire future generations of female leaders in soccer.
Club activations in honor of Women’s History Month will happen throughout March including at D.C. United’s home match against Sporting Kansas City this Saturday, March 8 at Audi Field. Tickets can be purchased at dcunited.com/tickets.
Our first interview features Player Engagement Coordinator Riley Poduje, who shares her journey, her role at the club, and the women that have impacted her life.
Can you walk us through your role as player engagement coordinator and what you do on a daily basis?
"The best way to describe my role is that I'm here to make life easier for the players and their families. This can encompass a variety of tasks depending on the individual needs of each player and their family. For instance, I assist with everything from guiding new players through the relocation process to helping families settle in, such as finding schools for their children when they’re moving here for the first time. Right now, I’m focusing a lot on player relocation. With so many new players joining from all over the world, I’m helping international players with their Social Security appointments, setting up apartment tours, and ensuring all the necessary paperwork is in order for the league. As the season progresses, my focus will shift more towards organizing family events and supporting with anything else that comes up along the way."
What does Women's History Month represent to you?
"Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions, resilience, and achievements of women throughout history—not just in sports, but across all areas of society—while also acknowledging that there is still work to be done. In sports, we witness the power of representation: when women are supported and given opportunities, it strengthens the entire industry. This month is important because it allows us to honor the women who paved the way and made it possible for me to be here today. It’s also about uplifting those who are making an impact right now and inspiring the next generation to continue pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo."
How important is it, from a club perspective, to look after not only the players, but their families and significant others as well?
"Players have many people looking out for them, both on and off the pitch, but their families can often feel isolated, especially if they’re new to the area. From a club perspective, it’s crucial to support a player’s support system. Ultimately, our goal is for D.C. United to be a club that players are excited to play for, knowing their families will be supported and well taken care of when they come to the DMV. I firmly believe that a player can achieve all the success in the world at a club, but if their partner, spouse, or children aren’t happy here, the player won’t be either. It’s in the club’s best interest to ensure the entire family feels welcomed and supported, making this a place where both players and their families want to be."
On putting on an event for families during preseason...
"We had several families who were new to the area while we were in preseason in Florida, and the players had been away for quite some time. The players' significant others had been alone with their kids for weeks. I wanted to organize something, with help from Troy Lesesne’s wife, Amanda, to give the families an opportunity to visit the Inova Performance Complex for the first time and see the training facility. It was also a chance for them to connect with other players' significant others, while their kids could interact with each other. We created custom canvases with the DCU logo for the kids to paint, so they could give them to their dads when the team returned. The goal was to help the families begin building relationships and foster a sense of community within the club."
Can you tell me about your career and what led you to D.C. United?
"I knew fairly early that I wanted to build my career in the sports industry. In college, I worked as a student manager for the women's basketball team for all four years. That was my first experience being involved in sports without being an athlete. It was exciting to be around a team again and learn about the behind-the-scenes aspects of running a team. It was, by far, the best job I’ve had up until now. My role may have been small, but even something as minor as adjusting the Powerade’s water-to-powder ratio felt like I was contributing to the athletes performing at the highest level.
I also interned for the marketing agency Wasserman for a semester and at an athlete development consultancy for a few years that focused on building programs for elite athletes, with an emphasis on taking care of the whole person, not just the athlete. This holistic approach really resonated with me because I saw how it directly translated into improved performance on the field.
After college, before joining D.C. United, I spent three years at the sports tech startup Q30 Innovations, the company behind the Q-Collar. In that role, I spent a lot of time educating athletes about the importance of brain protection and how it could impact their careers and lives. This experience taught me the ins and outs of sports business and how to build a successful brand.
Ultimately, I knew I wanted to return to working with a team directly and play a role that impacts athlete performance and wellbeing. When the opportunity with D.C. United came up, it was an easy decision and the perfect next step in my career."
You work in this role where you're surrounded by a lot of male counterparts. Can you talk to me about some of the challenges that it poses for you, and what does D.C. United do to make you feel more comfortable?
“Many male-dominated sports industries often have a reputation of being a "boys' club," and that's something you encounter when working in such fields—whether in sports or any other industry. There are often preconceived notions about women working in first-team roles on male sports teams, but at the end of the day, we're all working towards the same goal: winning. So, it shouldn't matter who you are as long as you're doing your job at a high level. If you're doing that, you absolutely deserve to be here.
Since joining D.C. United, I've felt incredibly welcomed and supported. I'm truly grateful for the women on the first-team staff who came before me and showed me the ropes, helping me navigate this kind of environment. Every day, I walk in focused and ready to do my job, and the players, coaching staff, and support staff understand that. There's a high level of respect for everyone in this building, and my being a woman has never changed that.”
What advice would you give to young women who aspire to have a job in sports?
"Take advantage of what's in front of you and learn as much as you can. You’re being given an opportunity to do something meaningful and impactful, and you have all the ability to succeed—no matter the role. Whether it's a small opportunity or a big one, seize it. Your career path might be winding and non-linear, and that's completely okay. Anything that sets you apart from others is a positive. In sports, take what’s in front of you and make the most of it."
Can you tell me about a woman or women who inspire you?
“There are so many women in sports—especially in sports business—who have played a huge role in shaping where we are today. But the two women I’ve always looked up to are my mom and my grandmother.
My mom was a Division I field hockey player at American University and an All-American captain. They didn’t have the support from the university that many women’s sports teams enjoy today, so she and her teammates had to fight for what they had and for the opportunities they earned. I like to remind myself, and sometimes remind her, that she accomplished all of that, and did so very successfully. She definitely passed that determination on to me and my sisters. If you want to do something, you can go out and do it.
My grandmother was one of the first female amateur racecar drivers. She and my grandfather raced cars when my dad was growing up. She defied many odds to go to college, and she was incredibly smart—she just did what she wanted to do. I feel very fortunate to have been raised by two women who accomplished so much despite the odds stacked against them. Their influence shaped how my sisters and I feel confident in pursuing our own goals. We feel empowered to go after what we want because we were raised by such strong women.
I look up to them a lot. And of course, I admire all the women in the media, in sports, and those who run businesses and accomplish things that many people thought, and told them, they couldn't. It's incredible.”
