Erkut Sogut, managing director of soccer operations for D.C. United, speaks during a season ticket holder event. United ) Erkut Sogut, managing director of soccer operations for D.C.
United ) As Major League Soccer paused its season during the FIFA men’s World Cup, Erkut Sogut’s job never stopped. Instead, Sogut, the managing director of soccer operations for D.C. United, spent much of the break on the road, making player deals as part of the club’s roster rebuild.
“The plane is an office for me,” Sogut said. With the World Cup festivities in the rearview, United is looking to capture some of the D.C.-area soccer attention. Unbeaten in its last four matches, including a 2-1 comeback win at home against Toronto on Saturday, United sits ninth in the Eastern Conference and in position for the final playoff spot.
Sogut spoke with WTOP about the club’s recent player acquisitions, its goals to improve the roster and the timeline needed to make D.C. Busy summer of roster moves As D.C.’s de facto general manager, Sogut has been focused on making key moves before the end of the secondary transfer window on Sept. He recently returned from a trip to Japan and plans to go to Europe soon.
While maintaining his residence in Los Angeles, Sogut makes regular trips to United’s training facility in Loudoun County, Virginia, and is seen at most of its matches. “If you sit in an office in one place, you don’t develop,” Sogut said. “You’re just more doing administrational work.
My job is to bring the right players, negotiate the contracts, and make the team better.” Recently, United acquired Salvadoran international Nathan Ordaz from LAFC for over $2 million. Despite making only nine appearances with Los Angeles this season, the 20-year-old is seen as a versatile attacking threat for D.C. Sogut recalled flying with Ordaz to D.C.
Summary from source