D.C. United loan out four players to the Richmond Kickers

On Friday, D.C. United announced that goalkeeper Travis Worra, defenders Luke Mishu and Jalen Robinson, and midfielder Collin Martin would be sent out on loan to the Richmond Kickers for the 2015 season.

The Richmond Kickers play in USL (formerly USL Pro) and have had an affiliation agreement with United since 2013. The Kickers finished in fourth last season in USL Pro and made it all the way to the USL Pro Semi-finals before losing to the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Worra was picked up by United midway through the preseason. He joined United after having played four seasons for the University of New Hampshire. As an amateur he also played for the Carolina Railhawks (2014) and Seacoast United (2012-2013) in the National Premier Soccer League and the Premier Development League, respectively.

Of the players placed on loan, Worra may have the greatest impact for both the Kickers and United. The Kickers have brought back Ryan Taylor, who made 10 appearances for the club in 2014, but is by no means the cemented starter. Meanwhile United will lose Bill Hamid for portions of the season due to U.S. Men’s National Team duty, likely meaning that Worra will be called up to backup Andrew Dykstra.

Mishu, like Worra, was picked up midway through training camp. He also beat out a number of veteran defenders despite having just finished up his collegiate career with the University of Notre Dame. He was an integral part of the Fighting Irish winning the 2013 College Cup and was the team captain for their 2014 side. With the Kickers, he will have his work cut out for him breaking through a veteran back four of William Yomby, Sascha Gorres, Hugh Roberts, and Alex Lee.

The same can be said for Jalen Robinson, although given that he is Homegrown Player for United that might mean that additional pressure will be placed to play him. Just 20 years old, Robinson has shown in limited time with United and on loan last season with Arizona United (14 appearances) that he has the tools to be an excellent left-back in the future. Expect him to be called up for CONCACAF Champions League duty for United when the 2015-2016 edition starts in August.

Collin Martin is another player that both Kickers and United supporters should keep an eye on this season. Like Robinson he is a Homegrown Academy player for United having signed with the club back in 2013. At just 20 years old, he has already accrued 13 appearances for United and has been a regular for the Kickers over the past two seasons. He will be expected to help set up Kickers forwards Matthew Delicate (14 goals in 2014) and George Davis IV (11 goals).

Of the players loaned out perhaps the most interesting name left on D.C. United’s roster is that of Michael Seaton. Seaton, the Jamaican international who has been viewed by many as one of the top young players in MLS, has not featured for United this season after suffering a knee injury during the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. With the uncertainty of Eddie Johnson’s future the club may be looking towards shoring up their depth in the forward position. Or the club may be looking towards loaning him out to another club for additional training.

The Richmond Kickers will start their season on Saturday March 28th when they travel to Legion Field to take on the Wilmington Hammerheads FC. The match will start at 7pm EST and be available on the league’s YouTube streaming service.