First things first: D.C. United ’s ownership are quite aware they’ve stepped well outside the box in their choice of the chief soccer officer who will succeed departing general manager and CSO Ally Mackay .

Dr. Erkut Sogut has never worked at a club before, nor has he worked in Major League Soccer. And it will raise a few more eyebrows that the sports lawyer and former agent was initially contacted to assist the Black-and-Red with their search process, having just helped them find new head coach René Weiler , only to wind up as the outcome of said search.

But United’s co-chairmen Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien are convinced he’s the best brain for the substantial job of rebuilding a proud side laid low by years of underperformance.

"Sometimes the best opportunity is staring right

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