BigE

DCU 1:0 RBNY

De Rosario's goal gives United the win

http://www.dcunited.com/video/2011/0...-pass-sequence

BigE

Da Luz sees golden opportunity in trade to DC United

Second-year midfielder says he never found his place in New York

The last few days have been a whirlwind for new D.C. United midfielder Austin da Luz. Shortly after riding the bench in New York’s 0-0 draw against Chivas USA on Saturday night, the second-year man learned he was getting traded to DC in exchange for an international roster slot.

“My first thought after I learned about the trade [was that] hopefully I’d be getting a greater opportunity to get some playing time,” he told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “I think this trade is going to be a positive thing for me.”

His arrival in DC will provide much needed depth for a United side lacking healthy outside midfielders. Concussion problems have kept Santino Quaranta and Brandon Barklage sidelined, Branko Boskovic is out for the long term with his ACL tear and Fred is set to return to Australia at the end of this week.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...rade-dc-united

BigE

DC's De Rosario named MLS Player of the Month

Veteran scores three, assists two for Black-and-Red in August

NEW YORK — After collecting two MLS Player of the Week awards last month, it was perhaps no surprise that Dwayne De Rosario was voted the league's best MLS player for August.

The D.C. United attacker was named MLS Player of the Month by the North American Soccer Reporters on Thursday. It's the second time in his career he's won the award after first earning the nod in October of 2005.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...s-player-month

BigE

Player of the week

Charlie Davies named MLS Player of the Week
North American Soccer Reporters recognize striker for hat trick performance against Chivas

D.C. United announced today that forward Charlie Davies has been named MLS Player of the Week for Week 26 by the North American Soccer Reporters. Davies scored all three of United’s goals during Saturday’s 3-0 victory against Chivas USA.

http://www.dcunited.com/press-releas...er-of-the-week

BigE

Ben Olsen Q&A - Part I
In part I of his season review, United's Head Coach talks progress, DeRo and Boskovic

In part I of our 2011 season review with United Head Coach Ben Olsen, the Black-and-Red boss discusses his thoughts on the team's overall progress, Dwayne De Rosario, the importance of Branko Boskovic and the evolution of Charlie Davies.

http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/11/ben-olsen-qa

Ben Olsen Q&A Part II
In the second installment of his season review, United's Head Coach outlines 2012 plans

Following part I of Ben Olsen's 2011 review, the United boss turns his attention to the Black-and-Red's ambitions for 2012. In this portion of the interview, Olsen highlights the value of Perry Kitchen, offseason player aquisitions and lessons learned from his first full season in charge.

http://www.dcunited.com/news/2011/11...sen-qa-part-ii

BigE

Garber increasingly concerned over DC United's future

Improved lease at RFK is first goal, new venue may be eventuality

NEW YORK – Commissioner Don Garber reiterated his concerns about D.C. United’s future on Thursday, when looking ahead to the 2012 MLS season.

In his 2011 State of the League teleconference, Garber confirmed the real possibility of relocating the franchise from their expensive home at RFK Stadium.

“If they can’t get a new improved lease in D.C., they’ve got to move to another facility in the region,” Garber said. “I will be supportive of that and help them do that. If they can’t find a solution in Baltimore, then we’ll have to go through the same process as we did with San Jose to think about potentially moving the team.”

The Commissioner pointed to the franchise being one of the most decorated in the league’s history – four MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields and two US Open Cups support this notion – and he feels United should be getting more support from local government when it comes to building a new stadium.

“I remain concerned and I’m continually frustrated,” Garber said. “This team has been an important asset for the community. It has delivered on everything that a pro sports team should be focused on. They‘ve been successful for the most part on the field and they’ve been engaged in the community.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...uniteds-future

BigE

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/articl...tenham-hotspur

BigE

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/articl...eteran-russell

BigE

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/articl...-davies-option

BigE

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/articl...charlie-davies

BigE

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/articl...ces-retirement

BigE

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-releas...ssional-soccer

BigE

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...ide-idol-at-dc

BigE

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/articl...r-strength-top

BigE

VIDEO Preseason training session: Day 1
Highlights and interviews from United's first day of training


http://www.dcunited.com/video/2012/0...aining-session