Re: DCU Earning His Spurs United midfielder will spend two weeks training with London giants D.C. United's Andy Najar will begin training with EPL side Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, the club revealed on Friday. The training stint will begin on Monday, November 28, and run through Saturday, December 10. "We are pleased to finalize Andy's stay with Tottenham," United GM Dave Kasper said. "I think this experience will be tremendous for him. He will come away from this as a better player, and we look forward to having him back with us shortly." Going to Europe for training has always been a strategy for getting young MLS players more experience, but this season has seemingly become even more prevalent, particularly in the wake of US national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann's comments. Klinsmann recently lamented the relative shortness of the MLS season and urged young MLSers to get more training in Europe this winter http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/25/uniteds-najar-train-tottenham-hotspur
DC shore up defense by acquiring RSL veteran Russell Young United back line gets a boost from RSL's '09 MLS Cup hero D.C. United shored up their young defensive group with a huge veteran acquisition on Tuesday, landing right back Robbie Russell via trade with Real Salt Lake. Russell, 32, spent the last four seasons as a valuable member of the vaunted RSL defense, starting at least 18 games each of the past three seasons. He appeared in 26 games and started 22 of those in 2011, but was left unprotected by the club during last week’s Expansion Draft and his spot in the lineup will likely be replaced by promising fullback Tony Beltran. "Much love to all the DC fans for the great welcome!! Can't wait to play for you guys!!" Russell tweeted on Tuesday. "Thank you to all the RSL fans for the great goodbye tweets. I'm gonna miss you guys." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/29/dc-shore-defense-acquiring-rsl-veteran-russell
he must be happy and be more cared in his new team.. We'll surely watch new defensive power of D.C United with this man on the field..
DC United decline to exercise Charlie Davies' option United pass on transfer clause, but not done dealing with striker Charlie Davies is no longer a D.C. United player. For now, at least. D.C. United announced on Thursday that they will not exercise the Dec. 1 option for the permanent transfer of the forward from French side Sochaux. Davies had been on loan to D.C. United in 2011, holding a reported $1.3 million option to buy out his contract, according to The Washington Post. But declining the hefty option does not mean that Davies will not have a future at the club coached by former USMNT teammate Ben Olsen. “Conversations regarding Charlie’s future are ongoing,” D.C. general manager Dave Kasper told dcunited.com. Although Davies becomes a Sochaux player again as of Dec. 1, D.C. United will hold onto his player rights in MLS and the club could potentially work out another loan deal with Sochaux or a transfer at a reduced price. D.C. made Davies one of their 11 protected players in last week’s Expansion Draft. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/01/dc-united-decline-exercise-charlie-davies-option
D.C. United got some good news yesterday in the form of support from city council member Tommy Wells, who introduced a resolution that the D.C. government “should take active steps to create strategies and solutions that keep D.C. United as a professional soccer team located within the District of Columbia.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/07/kick-everton-reportedly-set-sights-charlie-davies
DC United defender McTavish announces retirement 6-year veteran helped DC to two Supporters' Shields, US Open Cup D.C. United bid farewell to one of their longest-tenured and most versatile players on Thursday, when defender Devon McTavish announced his retirement from professional soccer. The 27-year-old, who helped D.C. claim back-to-back Supporters’ Shields in 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2008 US Open Cup, cited health reasons as the factor. “I feel good [about the decision],” McTavish said in a club statement. “I have to take care of my body, and after talking to a doctor, I have taken his advice. I thought long and hard about it and just decided that it’s time to quit playing the game – mostly for health reasons.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/22/dc-united-defender-mctavish-announces-retirement
Santino Quaranta announces retirement from professional soccer United veteran retires after 11 MLS seasons D.C. United and Santino Quaranta announced today the veteran midfielder will retire from professional soccer. Having joined United in 2001, Quaranta’s playing career comes to an end after 11 MLS seasons. http://www.dcunited.com/press-relea...announces-retirement-from-professional-soccer
DeLeon can't wait to play alongside idol at DC Louisville winger admires DeRo, honored to join historic MLS outfit Looking to add players anywhere on the field, D.C. United could have made a number of different moves during Thursday's 2012 MLS SuperDraft in Kansas City. As it turned out, they only made one. With the seventh overall pick, DC elected to select Nick DeLeon, an attacking midfielder from the University of Louisville who has already signed with MLS. “We’re very excited,” assistant coach Chad Ashton told MLSsoccer.com. “He’s an outstanding player, a real attacking-oriented player. Strong, powerful, he’s been on a very successful college team, and he’s had a lot to do with that.” DeLeon joins DC after two standout seasons with the Cardinals, during which he scored 14 goals and added nine assists. In 2010, he was part of Louisville’s run to the NCAA championship game, but they lost to Akron in the final http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/01/deleon-cant-wait-to-play-alongside-idol-at-dc
DC add striker Maicon Santos to bolster strength up top Brazilian split time between Toronto, FC Dallas last season D.C. United added some much needed punch to their stable of forwards on Wednesday, as the club announced it has signed former FC Dallas and Toronto FC forward Maicon Santos. The 27-year old Brazilian joined the league in 2009 as a member of Chivas USA. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’re very pleased to have Maicon as a part of D.C. United,” general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. “He is a big, solid target forward that will fit well into our system of play and complement the group of players already on our roster.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/18/dc-add-striker-maicon-santos-bolster-strength-top
VIDEO Preseason training session: Day 1 Highlights and interviews from United's first day of training http://www.dcunited.com/video/2012/01/video-preseason-training-session
DC land promising youngster Cruz from Dynamo Former GA product started all 4 playoff games for Houston in 2011 D.C. United shored up their midfield via trade with the Houston Dynamo on Friday, landing 22-year-old Danny Cruz in exchange for a partial allocation. Cruz saw time in 20 matches (13 starts) during the Dynamo’s 2011 campaign, collecting two goals and three assists, despite missing time due to a quad injury. He started all four of the Dynamo’s postseason matches, including the 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy in MLS Cup 2011 before the club left him unprotected for the Expansion Draft. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/20/dc-land-promising-youngster-cruz-dynamo
Emiliano Dudar acquired 30-year old defender joins United from BSC Young Boys D.C. United announced today the team has signed 30-year-old Emiliano Dudar. The 6-foot, 4-inch Argentine defender joins the Black-and-Red on a free transfer from BSC Young Boys of Switzerland. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dudar will be available for selection pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and visa Emiliano Ariel Dudar Height: 6'4" Weight: 198 Position: Defender Born: August 12, 1981 Age: 30 Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/2012/01/emiliano-dudar-acquired
Kick Off: Fire, D.C. United open preseason hostilities The first match between MLS clubs draws some crowd in Florida The first time is always special. D.C. United and the Chicago Fire played the first match pitting MLS teams in this 2012 preseason yesterday in Florida. The result finished 0-0 but it was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 1,800. You can hear them ooohing and aaahing in the the video highlights here and there’s also a photo gallery. (VIDEO / PHOTOS) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfxXbjcpfXo&feature=youtu.be http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150638257294789.451654.20210009788&type=3 Fans did not get to see Dwayne De Rosario in action but they did see a very influential Pavel Pardo: “When we were able to find Pavel in the first half, we were a very good team because he was able to dictate the tempo very well,” says Frank Klopas. But more than anything, it was the atmosphere that struck a chord with the Fire manager: “It reminds me of the old days playing in Europe where the fans would come out for the first preseason games.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/30/kick-fire-dc-united-open-preseason-hostilities
DC Notebook: De Rosario extension a priority for United WASHINGTON – D.C. United have had plenty to do this offseason in terms of rebuilding and reloading for a new year. But sitting at the top of the list is re-signing last year’s MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario to a contract extension, a goal that has been verbalized but remains uncompleted. “That’s been our highest priority,” president and CEO Kevin Payne told reporters at a press conference on Monday. “We’ve been working hard on that. It’s been a very collegial process. Dwayne’s been very professional about it. For the most part, he lets his representation handle those conversations.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/06/dc-notebook-de-rosario-extension-priority-united
DC expect big boost in 2012 from fully fit Boskovic Even if D.C. United hadn’t gone out and signed any new players, the offseason process would have already brought in another talent simply by default. Midfielder and Designated Player Branko Boskovic is expected to be fully fit and ready for the season opener after missing nearly the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/13/dc-expect-big-boost-2012-fully-fit-boskovic Marcelo Saragosa Q&A The Brazilian midfielder shares his thoughts on joining D.C. United http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/02/marcelo-saragosa-qa
Salihi arrival New DP Hamdi Salihi to arrive in Washington on Saturday Designated Player Hamdi Salihi has recieved all of his necessary paperwork and is set to arrive in the DC area on Saturday. The 28-year old Albanian was signed by the Black-and-Red back on February 2 and became the team's second DP, along with midfielder Branko Boskovic. Salihi, who was most recently with Rapid Vienna, will undergo a physical and other tests prior to joining the team on the training field. It is expected that the Albaninan international will likely be able to join the team for training on Monday. http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/02/team-notes-salihi-arrival-ask-benny-more
Dwayne De Rosario signs new contract United inks extension with 2011 Volkswagen MLS MVP .C. United announced today the club has signed last year’s Volkswagen MLS MVP, Dwayne De Rosario, to a new contract. The 33-year old midfielder put together the finest season of his career in 2011, notching 16 goals and 11 assists en route to being honored with the League’s top individual award. Per club and League policy, exact terms of the deal were not disclosed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdszOIt7u3U&feature=player_embedded http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/2012/02/dwayne-de-rosario-signs-new-contract
DC United to "get on same page" at Carolina tournament United in Charleston The Black-and-Red are in SC for the Carolina Challenge Cup The Carolina Challenge Cup is far from a foreign experience for D.C. United. The club that has taken part in the annual preseason tournament in six of the last eight years. The familiar setting at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., will provide a chance for a number of players to get to know each other after a frenzied few weeks of personnel movement. Seven players officially on the senior roster were not with D.C. last season, and a few of the trialists with the club are closing in on deals as well. "This next two to three weeks is very crucial for us as a group to get on the same page," D.C. head coach Ben Olsen said. The next step in that process is at the Carolina Challenge Cup, where D.C. will play against the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and USL Pro side and host Charleston Battery over the course of eight days, kicking things off against the Fire Saturday night. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/24/dc-united-get-same-page-carolina-tournament CLICK HERE for full schedule. http://www.mlssoccer.com/preseason/2012/tournaments#carolina
RECAP: DC 1 - Chicago 0 Hamdi Salihi burns Chicago Fire for United's first preseason win On a cool night in Charleston, newly acquired Designated Player Hamdi Salihi notched the lone goal as D.C. United topped the Chicago Fire in the opening match of the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdMdRdvqdSI&feature=player_embedded Under pressure from the opening whistle, United gave up a penalty kick in the fifth minute when Dejan Jakovic took down Fire striker Patrick Nyarko in the box. Facing a momentum-killing early deficit, second-year keeper Joe Willis saved the Black-and-Red, diving to his right before pushing away Pavel Pardo's effort from the spot. http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/02/preseason-match-5-united-vs-chicago-fire
United's final preseason test washed out in Charleston Heavy rain in the Charleston area washed out the finale of the Carolina Challenge Cup With six points through two matches, United sits atop the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup table. Should tonight's second game be cancelled, D.C. would claim the preseason tournament title for the third straight season http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/03/uniteds-final-preseason-test-washed-out-in-charleston
