RSL Trades GK David Ochoa To DC United
Jul 28, 2022, 9:22 AM | Updated: Jul 29, 2022, 4:18 pm
David Ochoa #1 of Real Salt Lake looks on after the Portland Timbers score a second goal during the second half of the 2021 MLS Western Conference Playoff Final at Providence Park on December 04, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Timbers won 2-0. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – RSL officially announced on Friday afternoon that they have traded goalkeeper David Ochoa to DC United in exchange for allocation money.
Steven Goff of the Washington Post and Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reported the news of David Ochoa heading to DC United on Thursday morning, ending the locker room drama with RSL.
In the official press release from RSL, they are sending Ochoa to DC United in exchange for $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money. Should Ochoa re-sign with DC United for the 2023 season, RSL will receive an additional $300,000 in General Allocation Money.
From the @RSLAcademy to becoming a USL champion with the @RealMonarchs & to the many memories with the first team, thank you David Ochoa.
You’ll always be a part of the #RSL family.
Good luck in the District.
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 29, 2022
Ochoa’s current contract ends in December. On Wednesday, Ochoa was receiving interest from other clubs around the country to sign him when his contract ended with RSL, including Barcelona, Manchester United, Club América, Club Tijuana, Atlético de San Luis, and AS Monaco. Tom Bogert reports that his sources believe if Barcelona signs him it will be under their B team and not for their first team. Manchester United are looking to bring him in as their third option at goalkeeper behind the likes of David de Gea and Dean Henderson.
Ochoa, 21, has not seen any minutes in Major League Soccer this season despite starring for the Claret and Cobalt a year ago. In the final preseason game, Ochoa injured himself and Zac MacMath took charge of the starting duties. MacMath started early in the season and has never looked back. Ochoa has been in and out of first-team training sessions, is not training or playing with the Real Monarchs, and is spending a lot of time in Oxnard, California with his family and friends.
It remains unknown why Ochoa is not training with Real Salt Lake and pushing for first-team selection. However, the relationship between the club and Ochoa at this point appears to be broken with no hope of fixing it.
A few weeks ago Ochoa posted social media photos from the Real Salt Lake dressing room and confessed to his fans that he is not allowed to train with the first team but he did not share any details about why that is. He also admitted that he loves the club and is appreciative of the time that he has spent in Utah.
Ochoa is out of contract in December and is looking to start fresh at a new club. The interested parties are a result of his upcoming contract expiration. Ochoa can be picked up by another club for free.
