Although it’s his first year living in the eastern half of the US, being a Washingtonian is nothing new for United’s Lamar Neagle. The 29-year-old winger, who joined the club this offseason, is a native of Federal Way, Washington, and for the last several years practiced his trade with his hometown Seattle Sounders. But though he enjoyed considerable success with Seattle—recording 26 goals and 17 assists in 116 appearances with the club, not to mention his status as a local boy and fan favorite— Neagle has found his niche on the field like never before since moving to D.C.
After locking down the left wing position in preseason, Neagle has played in all 14 matches for the Black-and-Red this season and been one of the more reliable attacking options. The versatile midfielder/forward has scored two goals, provided a tied-for-team-leading three assists and has earned MLS Team of the Week honors.
Neagle’s career has taken him across the country and abroad before landing in the nation’s capital this offseason. After a standout career at UNLV, Neagle joined the Sounders midway through the 2009 season, but was eventually loaned out to USL side Charleston Battery (where he took home a league championship, as well as MVP and golden boot honors). He then spent time with IFK Mariehamn in Finland, before returning to Seattle in 2011. In 2012, it was a new city again—this time Montreal, where he made 23 appearances in his one season with the Impact. A year later, he was back with the Sounders, where he’d remain through 2015, enjoying career years in 2013 and 2014 with 17 goals and 13 assists in 62 appearances (54 starts).
Still, Neagle lacked a set role under Sounders coach Sigi Schmid. More than anything, he seemed a victim of his own versatility. In addition to his natural left wing position, Neagle was deployed on the right flank, as a lone striker in an experimental 4-5-1, and as an attacking midfielder. He impressed in all of these roles—the numbers speak for themselves—but was never a permanent fixture in any one position, and towards the latter half of 2015, particularly with the return of notable attacking players like Clint Dempsey from injury, he felt it was time for a change. "There's no hard feelings there," Neagle said. "I'm still friends with a lot of guys that are there, and Seattle gave me my start. It's rough to see them going through times right now, but I'm certainly not wishing them any good [whenever we play them]."
Since coming to D.C., Neagle has seen new growth in his career. With the departure of Chris Pontius to Philadelphia, Neagle has made the vacant position on the left wing his own, and helped to engineer United’s new-look midfield. Along with right winger Patrick Nyarko—also a valuable offseason acquisition—Neagle has played well in a team that likes to attack with pace, using his speed and crossing ability to pick apart opponents. He’s also highly effective cutting in and getting shots off, and is currently second on the team in shots with 21.
On a personal level, Neagle is settling in well to life in the “new” Washington. He’s enjoying life in the city and he and his wife, Natalie, are expecting their first child soon. And, though he’s had to leave his childhood home behind, he has—at least on the field—found a place where he belongs.
