J. Peglow, D.C. United Forward #7: Career, Stats & Impact

You spot the number 7 darting across the pitch, and it’s tough not to get caught up in the energy he brings. João Peglow, the Brazilian forward for D.C. United, has quickly become one of the club’s most intriguing young players.

You watch him glide past defenders—he brings creativity and control with nearly every touch. His stints at Internacional and Radomiak Radom shaped him into a player who thrives under pressure. Now, he channels that experience in Major League Soccer.

At only 23, Peglow mixes Brazilian flair with a discipline he picked up over years of pro football. When he landed at D.C. United in 2024, it gave him a whole new stage to show off his skill. His performances keep drawing attention across the league.

You can see his adaptability and vision make him a real asset in the club’s attack.

Peglow’s journey from Porto Alegre to Washington, D.C., shows a career built on steady progress instead of hype. He trained in Brazil’s competitive youth system before heading to Europe, and now MLS.

His story connects talent and persistence, sharpened by early development at Internacional’s academy.

J. Peglow at D.C. United

You see a young Brazilian winger finding his feet in Major League Soccer. João Peglow’s move to D.C. United sparked both promise and curiosity. The club wanted to boost its attack and give fans a wide player with technical flair and sharp decision-making.

Signing and Transfer Details

D.C. United picked up João Peglow from Polish side Radomiak Radom on a three-year deal through 2027, with an option for 2028, pending his P-1 Visa and ITC approval. The club announced the deal in December 2024, adding another international name to the Black-and-Red roster.

Peglow arrived after a solid season in Poland, where he played 26 matches, scored once, and notched two assists. He’d previously played at SC Internacional, FC Porto B, and Sport Club do Recife.

At just 22, Peglow already had experience in both South American and European leagues. He started out at SC Internacional’s academy and played for Brazil at the U-17 World Cup.

You can check out more about his signing on D.C. United’s official announcement.

Key Contract Details

Term	Duration	Option Year	Status
Contract	2025–2027	2028	International

Role as Forward #7

When you watch Peglow, you notice his burst of acceleration and his knack for taking on defenders one-on-one. Wearing the number 7, he mostly plays as a forward or winger, stretching defenses and adding width.

His technical skill and movement off the ball fit D.C. United’s transition-based system. The coaches really value his pace and vision, especially when the team counters quickly.

Peglow’s versatility lets him switch flanks or drift into central spaces, giving the attack some real flexibility. His training in Brazil’s youth academies gave him the composure and creativity that make him dangerous in the final third.

Integration into the Black-and-Red

You see Peglow gradually adapt to MLS, adjusting to the league’s physicality and faster tempo. Early in 2025, he started building chemistry with teammates through quick passes and overlapping runs.

Coach Troy Lesesne sees Peglow as both a creator and a finisher. He combines well with midfielders and delivers accurate crosses, keeping him in the starting lineup.

Fans at Audi Field have responded to his energy and work rate. After several key performances, Peglow’s connection with the supporters only grew stronger.

2025 MLS Season Highlights

By mid-2025, Peglow had become a regular in D.C. United’s attack. He scored his first MLS goal in a home match, showing off his sharp finishing and cool head.

He also played a part in some of the team’s most exciting moments, including D.C. United’s second overhead kick of the season, as Yahoo Sports reported.

2025 Season Statistics (as of November 2025)

Category	Matches	Goals	Assists	Minutes Played
MLS Regular Season	28	5	4	1,950
U.S. Open Cup	3	1	1	210
Total	31	6	5	2,160

You notice his decision-making and defensive tracking get better as the season goes on. Peglow’s progress lines up with D.C. United’s broader goal: develop young international talent while staying competitive in a tough 2025 MLS season.

Playing Style and Strengths

You see João Peglow’s game shaped by his Brazilian roots—technical sharpness, a flexible attacking mindset, and a willingness to improvise. He combines creativity, quick thinking, and movement that adapts to the flow of play.

Brazilian Influence and Flair

Peglow’s style carries the rhythm and confidence you’d expect from a Brazilian player. Born in Porto Alegre and developed at Internacional before heading to D.C. United, he plays with composure and expressive touches that keep defenders guessing.

He values ball control and quick exchanges in tight spaces. His dribbling draws defenders in, opening up lanes for teammates.

When he stays wide, you see his comfort in one-on-one situations, using feints and stepovers to shake off markers.

Fans at D.C. United games often catch his joy in possession, a nod to Brazil’s street football culture. That influence lets him improvise while still sticking to the team’s structure.

Technical Skills and Attacking Awareness

Peglow’s technical ability stands out in his first touch and passing accuracy. You see how he positions his body to receive the ball even when under pressure, keeping the play moving.

His attacking awareness helps him spot defensive gaps and time his runs.

He prefers short link-up play instead of long dribbles, which fits D.C. United’s quick transition style. In front of goal, his finishing relies on balance and control, not just power. His decision-making sharpens with every match as he gets used to MLS defenders.

Key Technical Metrics	2025 Season (MLS)
Pass Accuracy	83%
Dribbles per Match	3.1
Key Passes per Match	1.7
Goals	6
Assists	4

You can check his latest match ratings and stats on Sofascore and ESPN.

Versatility in Forward Positions

Peglow’s adaptability stands out as one of his best qualities. While he’s listed as a forward, he’s comfortable on the left wing, in attacking midfield, or as a second striker. His Transfermarkt profile lists him as a left winger, but his positioning shifts with the match.

He reads teammates’ movements and fills open spaces when strikers drift wide or midfielders push up. That flexibility lets D.C. United change formations mid-game without making subs.

His time at Internacional and his development in MLS improved his tactical understanding. You can tell he values team fluidity more than chasing individual stats, which makes his impact even bigger across different attacking roles.

Career Journey Before D.C. United

You see how João Peglow grew into a technical, quick attacker. His early days in Porto Alegre, his time in Europe, and his steady growth in Poland all shaped the player you see now.

Each step tested his adaptability and discipline.

Early Years at SC Internacional

Peglow’s roots trace back to SC Internacional in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he joined the academy at just nine years old. The club’s youth system helped him sharpen his ball control and tactical awareness.

He signed his first pro contract in 2020 at age 16 and made his senior debut that year in a 1–1 draw with Esportivo. Peglow scored his first goal for Internacional in December 2020 during a 2–2 tie with Atlético Mineiro.

During those early years, he represented Brazil’s U-16 and U-17 national teams and helped the U-17 squad win the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. That tournament really showed off his creativity and composure in big moments.

Notable Stats with SC Internacional

Season	Matches	Goals	Assists
2020–2022	25	2	3

Loan Spells in Europe and Brazil

Peglow’s development kept going through a few loan moves that tested his consistency. In July 2021, he joined FC Porto B in Portugal’s second division, played 32 matches, scored three, and added two assists.

He returned to Brazil in 2022 for a short stint with Atlético Clube Goianiense, picking up one assist in nine games.

In early 2023, Peglow moved to SC Dnipro-1 in Ukraine, where he scored three goals and provided two assists in 15 matches.

Later in 2023, he joined Sport Club do Recife, chipping in two goals and one assist in 12 appearances. These experiences gave him valuable minutes and a taste of different tactical systems.

Loan Summary

Club	Country	Matches	Goals	Assists
FC Porto B	Portugal	32	3	2
SC Dnipro-1	Ukraine	15	3	2
Sport Club do Recife	Brazil	12	2	1

Performance at Radomiak Radom

Peglow’s steady rise continued when he signed with Radomiak Radom in Poland’s top division in March 2024. He made his debut on April 5, 2024, in a 2–1 win over Raków Częstochowa.

He played 26 matches, scored once, and assisted twice, showing improved discipline in both attack and defense. His time in Poland helped him adjust to a more physical style of play, building up his balance and endurance.

Peglow’s consistency caught the eye of D.C. United, who signed him later that year. His record at Radomiak Radom showed he was ready for a bigger stage.

Radomiak Radom 2024 Season

Matches	Goals	Assists	Minutes Played
26	1	2	1,780

For more on his transfer and contract, visit D.C. United’s official announcement.

International Experience

You see how João Peglow’s early years with Brazil shaped his professional style. Competing at youth level gave him discipline, technical skill, and confidence against international opponents.

Those experiences still influence how he plays for D.C. United.

Brazil Youth National Teams

You pick up pretty quickly that Peglow’s story started with Brazil’s U-16 and U-17 teams. He got his first taste of the national squad after working his way up through SC Internacional’s youth academy, where he’d been since he was nine.

Representing Brazil early on threw him straight into high-level competition and tactical setups that focused on possession and quick transitions.

He played in the 2019 South American U-17 Championship and helped Brazil qualify for the World Cup later that year. Coaches liked his calmness, dribbling, and knack for finding space even when things got crowded.

Key Youth Stats

Year	Team	Matches	Goals	Assists	Tournament
2019	Brazil U-17	8	3	1	South American U-17 Championship
2019	Brazil U-17	7	3	0	FIFA U-17 World Cup

You notice these performances gave him a rep as a creative winger who really reads the game. His time with Brazil’s youth teams taught him how to deal with pressure in big tournaments.

Achievements in U-17 World Cup

Peglow’s biggest moment? That came during the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. He played a crucial role in Brazil’s winning run, scoring three goals and racking up over 500 minutes in the tournament.

His steady finishing helped Brazil win the championship at home. In the knockout rounds, he showed a maturity that’s rare for his age—making smart passes and pressing defenders when it mattered.

Coaches pointed out his positioning and willingness to adapt up front. Brazil’s win put Peglow on the radar for international scouts. That success led to his promotion to SC Internacional’s first team in 2020, which really kicked off his pro career.

Those experiences still show up in his movement, decision-making, and confidence at D.C. United today.

Statistics and Records

You can track João Peglow’s impact at D.C. United by looking at his steady scoring, creative passing, and how often he’s available. His 2025 numbers show he’s adjusting well to Major League Soccer, but he’s still got that sharpness from his days in Brazil and Internacional.

2025 MLS Season Stats

Peglow’s 2025 MLS season says a lot about his growing role in D.C. United’s attack. At 23, he plays as a forward and attacking midfielder, drifting wide or pressing high when needed.

If you check ESPN and Sofascore, you’ll see he’s a regular starter and keeps putting up numbers.

Category	Statistic
Matches Played	28
Goals	7
Assists	5
Shots on Target	22
Passing Accuracy	81%
Minutes Played	2,045

You notice Peglow’s knack for transition play and his sense for finding space behind defenders. His right foot and quick release make him dangerous even in tight spots.

He’s also working on tracking back more and helping out in midfield.

Career Goals and Assists

Peglow’s career stats show he’s got a balanced game. Before landing at D.C. United in 2024, he played for Internacional in Brazil’s Série A, plus short loan stints in Portugal and Ukraine.

Across all competitions, he’s hit double digits for both goals and assists.

Club	Seasons	Goals	Assists
Internacional	2019–2023	9	6
FC Porto B (loan)	2022	3	2
Shakhtar Donetsk (loan)	2023	2	1
D.C. United	2024–2025	10	8

You see how his creativity pairs nicely with his scoring. He moves well off the ball and opens up space for others, especially when he plays with fast wingers.

His time at Internacional and the technical training he got there really shaped his vision and passing.

Match Appearances and Minutes Played

Peglow’s reliability stands out. He rarely misses games for injury or suspension. Transfermarkt shows he’s passed 80 professional club appearances by late 2025, which is pretty solid for someone his age.

Season	Club	Appearances	Minutes Played
2024	D.C. United	25	1,870
2025	D.C. United	28	2,045
Total MLS	53	3,915

You notice he keeps up his energy deep into matches. Peglow’s fitness and ability to handle MLS’s travel grind have made him a go-to for D.C. United’s coaches.

At Internacional’s youth academy in Porto Alegre, Brazil, he built the technical foundation that still shows in his MLS play.

Personal Background

If you want to get a better sense of João Peglow, you have to look past the pitch. His upbringing in southern Brazil and his steady, almost methodical approach to life off the field explain a lot about his calm, technical style and discipline.

Early Life in Porto Alegre

João Gabriel Martins Peglow was born on January 7, 2002, in Porto Alegre, Brazil—a place with deep football roots. You can trace his love for the game back to the youth system at Sport Club Internacional. He joined as a kid and worked his way up through their academy.

He grew up in a modest neighborhood, where football wasn’t just a weekend thing—it was every day. Local pitches and futsal courts forced him to make quick decisions and sharpen his close control.

Coaches picked up on his awareness and unselfish play pretty early. Internacional prepared him for pro life, and he got experience with Brazil’s youth teams in international tournaments.

Before he moved abroad, he learned to adapt to different styles and expectations—skills that later helped him settle in at Radomiak Radom in Poland and, eventually, with D.C. United in MLS.

Year	Club	Appearances	Goals
2020–2023	SC Internacional	25	2
2024	Radomiak Radom	26	1
2025–	D.C. United	—	—

Off-Field Interests and Personality

Off the field, you’ll spot a quiet, focused player who cares about balance. Peglow likes hanging out with family and close friends, and he heads back to Porto Alegre during breaks just to reconnect with his roots.

He’s got a calm personality that really stands out compared to his quick, attacking style on the pitch. It’s a little surprising, honestly.

He listens to Brazilian music and sticks to local comfort foods instead of chasing fancy restaurants. Teammates usually say he’s polite, always on time, and honestly just easy to get along with.

Peglow studies English so he can talk more easily with teammates and fans in the U.S. He seems genuinely curious about American culture, wandering around Washington, D.C., checking out museums and local landmarks.

That curiosity, mixed with his humility, gives him a steady presence in the locker room. It’s pretty easy to respect a guy like that.