Kristian Fletcher’s goal last weekend was his first for D.C. United since the second match of his MLS career in October 2022. That is not to say, though, the 18-year-old forward hadn’t felt the joys of scoring in 2023. He just did it in Wales instead of Washington.
Last fall and into the winter, while United was missing the playoffs before undergoing another coaching change and roster reboot, Fletcher was on loan with Welsh club Swansea City gaining experience and rediscovering his scoring touch.
Playing for the Swans’ under-21 squad, he scored multiple goals five times, including consecutive hat tricks, and finished with between 16 and 18, depending on the source of information, over at least a dozen appearances in multiple youth competitions.