TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- DC get: David Ochoa
- RSL get: $75k GAM and conditional GAM
UPDATE (July 29) – D.C. United have acquired goalkeeper David Ochoa from Real Salt Lake in exchange for at least $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM), the clubs announced Friday.
Ochoa, who's out of contract after 2022, will occupy a homegrown roster slot for the Black-and-Red.
Should Ochoa re-sign with D.C. United for the 2023 season, RSL will receive an additional $300,000 in GAM, evenly divided between the 2023 and 2024 seasons ($150,000 each year). Should Ochoa be transferred outside of MLS during the 2022 season, RSL 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,” Dave Kasper, D.C.'s president of soccer operations, said in a release. “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.”
The Mexican international, 21, hasn't appeared in an MLS game in 2022. But he was a key part of RSL's Audi MLS Cup Playoffs run in 2021 and could become D.C.'s starting goalkeeper amid their roster changes under head coach Wayne Rooney.
“Everyone at RSL should thank David for his years of exceptional service at the Academy, for the Monarchs, and for the first team,” RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a release. “David has been a critical figure in our postseason run last year, in the Monarchs 2019 USL title and throughout his youth career here. We wish him all the best at D.C. United and in his future endeavors, and we will always consider him part of the RSL family.”
ORIGINAL (July 28) – D.C. United have agreed on a deal to acquire Mexico international goalkeeper David Ochoa from Real Salt Lake, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.
The Washington Post first reported the news. The trade will be for some General Allocation Money with a possibility for more in the future if Ochoa is to re-sign. A source adds that RSL will retain a sell-on clause if Ochoa does re-sign with the Black-and-Red beyond the 2022 season.
The 21-year-old hasn't appeared for RSL this season and had been training alone recently, having clashed with the club.
The homegrown is out of contract after the season, with clubs in Europe and Mexico interested in signing him on a free transfer, but the trade to D.C. adds the chance for the MLS club to convince him to sign a new deal if the next few months go well. Club Tijuana, Club America and San Luis are among Mexican teams hoping to sign him once his contract expires.
The dual-national, who chose to represent Mexico after spending most of his youth with the US youth national teams, started 25 games for RSL last season and led the team in their memorable run to the Western Conference Final. He won the USL Championship title with Real Monarchs in 2019.
Ochoa joins D.C. where he'll have a chance at playing time, as goalkeeper Bill Hamid is out 2-3 months with a hand injury. D.C. are amid a roster overhaul as new manager Wayne Rooney awaits clearance of his work visa to take over. With Hamid out, Rafael Romo has been their go-to starter.
