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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/articl...er-cruz-dynamo

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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-releas...dudar-acquired

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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=rfxXb...ature=youtu.be
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...0009788&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/articl...on-hostilities

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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/articl...riority-united

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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/articl...y-fit-boskovic

Marcelo Saragosa Q&A
The Brazilian midfielder shares his thoughts on joining D.C. United


http://www.dcunited.com/news/2012/02...lo-saragosa-qa

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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...ask-benny-more

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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=wdszO...layer_embedded
http://www.dcunited.com/press-releas...s-new-contract

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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/articl...ina-tournament


CLICK HERE for full schedule.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/preseason/2...ments#carolina

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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=UdMdR...layer_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...s-chicago-fire

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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...-in-charleston

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Final: DC 0 - KC 1
C.J. Sapong scores the match-winner in the 93 minute


http://www.dcunited.com/matchday/matchtracker
http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/...ason-dc-united

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Lewis Neal acquired
Englishman joins United following season with Orlando City


D.C. United announced today that the club has signed English midfielder Lewis Neal. The 30-year old joins United after playing the 2011 season with USL Pro side Orlando City, helping the first-year club win the league’s championship. Neal will be available for selection following receipt of his visa.

http://www.dcunited.com/press-releas...-neal-acquired

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RFK Stadium lease extension

Events DC and D.C. United announce RFK Stadium lease extension

Events DC and D.C. United today announced an agreement for the team to play its home games at RFK Stadium for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. RFK Stadium has served as the team's home stadium since its inception in 1996.

Capacity for Major League Soccer matches at RFK Stadium during this lease will be limited to the Mezzanine level and lower seating bowl. Full sale of the 19,647 seats for any of United's League fixtures will constitute a sellout. D.C. United has also added a premium seating opportunity adjacent to the home team bench and has additional premium seating plans in development.

"The intention is to cover the upper deck seating area of the stadium for MLS games and we are presently discussing that opportunity with several prospective sponsors," explained Payne. "It's a great branding opportunity, but it's more important that our supporters become accustomed to a 20,000 seat stadium, and we expect that limiting the capacity will encourage an increase in season ticket sales."


http://www.dcunited.com/press-releas...ease-extension

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Plans detail Buzzard Point soccer stadium for D.C. United


Construction of a soccer stadium for D.C. United on Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington would require assembling properties from five owners, including the District, according to development plans obtained by Capital Business.

The 20-page concept plans, dated July 2010, propose a “Sports & Entertainment District @ Buzzard Point” stretching from Nationals Park to a new D.C. United stadium. The soccer stadium would be bordered by T Street to the south, 2nd Street to the west, Half Street to the east and Potomac Avenue and R Street to the north.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...L5R_story.html

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Kick Off:
DeRo demands DC step it up tonight on NBCSN


D.C. United say the 0-0 draw in Vancouver last weekend was a step in the right direction but “now we want results,” says veteran defender Robbie Russell.

The chance to get the first win of the season comes tonight on the NBC Sports Network as United host FC Dallas (7:30 p.m. ET). Captain Dwayne De Rosario says his club has to “step it up a little more at home,” where they have collected just five points in the last six league games played at RFK Stadium.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-tonight-nbcsn