D.C. United’s newest signing, Lamar Neagle, is a proven MLS starter whose experience and versatility will play a critical role as the club seeks to improve upon their recent Eastern conference semifinal finish as they move into next year’s campaign. The 28-year-old attacker, who spent his last three seasons with Seattle Sounders FC, arrives at the nation’s capital with a wealth of experience under his belt. Neagle started 97 of his 139 MLS games, with 28 goals and 19 assists.
While a natural winger, the Federal Way, WA, native was deployed in a variety of different attacking positions by Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, playing on both sides of a 4-4-2 midfield, up top as a lone forward and even behind the striker as an attacking central midfielder. United head coach Ben Olsen will love knowing he has the flexibility to move Neagle around in the final third in order to best utilize all his offensive threats.
But for United, a team that often relied on fast players to spring counter attacks, Neagle fits the bill perfectly playing in his natural position. He was well-known in Seattle for his blazing speed, hugging the touch line, cutting in on his favored left foot and scoring goals from outside the area.
Neagle is also praised for his proven work rate and personality—qualities that made him a fan favorite in Seattle— which are certain to endear him to the D.C. United faithful. Growing up not far from Seattle, he fostered his love for the game playing in the street, "sometimes kicking a ball against neighbors’ front steps until the sun went down."
After a standout career at UNLV, Neagle signed with his hometown Sounders midway through the 2009 MLS season and made his debut against English Premier League giants Chelsea FC. After successful stints with the Charleston Battery (where he took home a league championship, as well as MVP and Golden Boot honors), and IFK Mariehamn in Finland in 2010, Neagle returned to Seattle in 2011 and made 23 first-team appearances for the Sounders, scoring five goals—tied for third-highest on the team—and earned player and goal of the week honors. He spent the 2012 season with the Montreal Impact, and returned to Seattle in 2013; he went on to record a personal-best 9 goals and 9 assists in the 2014 MLS season.
In addition to his on-field reputation as the hardworking hometown boy in Seattle, Neagle has also been lauded for his off-field humanitarian work. In 2011, he created the
Neagle Foundation
, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting positive lifestyles in sports, school, and at home, for kids in the greater Seattle are
a.
D.C. United, who are similarly committed to community-driven initiatives (amplified by their recent
consolidation with DC SCORES
), have gained a valuable ambassador for giving back to the community.
Though he is leaving home, Neagle is looking forward to his new journey on the east coast. In a statement
published on his website
, he expressed his enthusiasm for joining D.C. United: “Although I know [my family] are sad that I am leaving, they are equally as excited for me to be heading into a great opportunity… Thank you Seattle, DC here I come!”
Lamar's first official match for the Black-and-Red will be the opening game of the MLS 2016 season, which is TBD with the schedule not announced until a later date. He is ineligible to play for D.C. United in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League as he previously played in this year's tournament with Seattle Sounders FC. Be sure to catch Neagle's first home game; the D.C. United Holiday Pack, available here, includes one ticket for United's home opener and a D.C. United beanie.
