Lamar Neagle went through the paces of preseason knowing full well he would not play in D.C. United’s first two competitive matches of the 2016 campaign. Having participated in the CONCACAF Champions League with his previous team, the Seattle Sounders, he would have to watch the two-leg quarterfinals from afar and wait for the MLS regular season to begin before debuting with his new club.
The pause expired last weekend with a starting assignment in the opener against Los Angeles. And less than five minutes into his introduction, Neagle scored against the Galaxy. United went on to a 4-1 defeat, but Neagle’s place in the lineup had been all but secured.