St. Louis City And D.C. United Make Multiplayer Trade Including Chris Durkin And Jared Stroud

St. Louis City and D.C. United complete multiple player trade heading into 2024. D.C. United send Homegrown midfielder Chris Durkin to St. Louis City in exchange for midfielder Jared Stroud, centerback Lucas Bartlett, and $300,000 in GAM. 

The 23 year old Durkin is a rare combination of a MLS player with a ton of MLS and European experience. Between D.C. United, Sint-Truiden VV, and the Richmond Kickers, Durkin has a total of 193 games played in his career already! In those games he’s scored 7 goals and added 14 assists. He is a player who started off more as a traditional defensive midfielder in his career to now someone who can help be a “tempo setter” with the midfield. St. Louis seem to be trying to improve their starting quality as they prepare for their second MLS season and first that includes CONCACAF Champions Cup action. I am a big fan of Jared Stroud, but pairing Durkin with Eduard Lowen, Indiana Vassilev, and company is an upgrade for next year.

D.C. do give up a big time talent, but they add so much more in return on this deal. First, D.C. acquire a 27 year old Jared Stroud who has clearly been valued in MLS before. After coming up through and then eventually playing for the New York Red Bulls, Stroud has been targeted by expansion clubs (Austin and St. Louis). Jared Stroud brings his 153 professional games to D.C. United adding 28 goals and 34 assists. He looks to be a starting option for D.C. as he would pair with the likes of Mateusz Klich and Russell Canouse. Coming over with Stroud is Lucas Bartlett who broke onto the MLS scene last year with St. Louis. Bartlett is a 26 year old centerback who proved in 2023 he can be a very strong third centerback option! Bartlett has a total of 35 career games played between his time at St. Louis City, St. Louis City 2, FC Dallas, and North Texas SC. 

Personally, I feel like D.C. “won” in this trade even though both sides are making out with positives in the end. St. Louis upgrade their starting quality. D.C. United add some quality depth to help whoever is hired as the next manager of the club.