DC United Thread

[Scuba Steve]

This has been done before, but I thought I would properly start one up for the upcoming season.

DC United

General Information:

Team Name: DC United
Year Formed: 1995 (1996 was first game)
Stadium: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (capacity: 56,692)
Supporters Groups: La Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles, La Norte

Honors:

MLS Cup: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004 (Runners Up: 1998)
Supporters' Shield: 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007
US Open Cup: 1996, 2008 (Runners Up: 1997, 2009)
CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 1998
InterAmerican Cup: 1998

Technical Staff:

General Manager: Kevin Payne
Head Coach: Tom Soehn
Assistant Coach: Mark Simpson
Assistant Coach: Chad Ashton
Athletic Trainer: Brian Goodstein
Equipment Manager: David Brauzer
Team Administrator: Francisco Tobar

Current Team:

GK:
Josh Wicks
Milos Kocic
Bill Hamid

DEF:
Avery John
Marc Burch
Dejan Jakovic

Greg Janicki

Devon McTavish
Bryan Namoff
David Habarugira
Julius James
Lawson Vaughn

MID:
Rodney Wallace
Ely Allen
John DiRaimondo
Fred
Tiyiselani Shipalane
Danny Szetela
Andrew Jacobsen

Christian Gomez

Ben Olsen
Clyde Simms
Santino Quaranta
Brandon Barklage
Chris Pontius

FWD:
Ange N'Silu
Luciano Emilio
Thabiso Khumalo
Jamie Moreno

Kits

Home:

Away:

Notable Former Players:

Freddy Adu
Jeff Agoos

Bobby Boswell
Bobby Convey

Raul Diaz Arce
Marco Etcheverry
John Harkes
Roy Lassiter
Carlos Llamosa
Ryan Nelsen
Eddie Pope
Tony Sanneh

Richie Williams

Team Records:


Games: Jaime Moreno -- 300

Goals: Jaime Moreno -- 128

Assists: Jaime Moreno -- 102
Multi-goal games: Jaime Moreno -- 17

Hat tricks: Raul Diaz Arce -- 2
Cleansheets: Nick Rimando -- 29

[Scuba Steve]

Here is my preview for the 2009 season:

Originally Posted by Goal.com

MLS 2009 Team Preview: DC United

D.C. United fell from Supporters' Shield winners in 2007 to missing out on the playoffs in 2008. Goal.com's Steven Streff breaks down what 2009 might hold for one of the original and most successful MLS clubs.

Feb 26, 2009 11:30:03 PM


By Steven Streff

Last Season: 2008 represented a tough year for United. There were some positives, as the team won just their second-ever US Open Cup, after defeating the Charleston Battery 2-1 in the final. But the season brought its fair share of disappointments as well. United failed to make it to Major League Soccer's playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. DC had one final crack at qualifying for the playoffs in the final game of the season, but an unfortunate 1-0 defeat away at Columbus sealed its fate.

United participated in two international tournaments as well, but those experiences could never be construed as successful. In the 2008 version of the SuperLiga, United lost all three games, ending up last in their group. In the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, DC United managed just a single point in 6 games, with the final defeat to Marathon of Honduras capping off a disappointing 2008 for United.

Missing the MLS playoffs,and failing to qualify for the knockout stages of two international tournaments does not cut it at a club like United, widely considered the most successful MLS club in history.

Dearly Departed: With the poor performance of this past season, changes were made throughout the team. The biggest departure of the offseason was Argentinean playmaker, Marcello Gallardo. Gallardo was largely disappointing in his only season at the club. As the best paid player in DC's history, much was expected of him, but injuries derailed his season. He only managed to appear in half of the team’s league games. Gallardo made it clear at the end of the season that he wanted out, and United granted him the opportunity to depart to his home country.

Gallardo was not the only player to leave. Another player who underwhelmed was defender Gonzalo Peralta, also an Argentine. The defender was caught out several times during the season, and ended up heading back to Argentina at the end of the MLS season. Gonzalo Martinez, another defender, came from Millonarios in Columbia. He turned out to be a let down for United fans, and he is rumored to be leaving the club. There's been no official word yet, but don’t expect him to suit up for United this season.

Joe Vide, proficient as a hardworking defensive midfielder, was let go, most likely due to the arrival of Andrew Jacobsen. Ivan Guerrero was traded to Colorado, as part of the deal to bring Christian Gomez back to DC. That leaves a void on the left side of the field, one most likely be filled by Fred.

The final major departure of the offseason was the retirement of goalkeeper Zach Wells. He was brought in to replace the departed Troy Perkins, but United fans found Wells lacking in comparison. Wells never seemed to fit in at United, and his performances left most of the fans wishing for more. Eventually, Louis Crayton was brought in, and that basically ended the year for Wells. With United drafting a young keeper in the Super Draft, Wells’ chances for starts looked even more grim. The 27-year-old therefore made the decision to hang up his boots.

New Faces: One important new face is someone who is actually not new to United. With the departure of Gallardo, United filled the void in the playmaking position by adding Christian Gomez. Gomez was one of the main linchpins of the attack during his previous stint with the club. He could fit right back in with this version of DC United. Gomez might be a bit older than last time, but could still have that quality to create chances.

Andrew Jacobsen also has a bit of DC history, even if he has never actually played a game for United. He was selected in the second round of the 2008 Super Draft by United, but decided to sign with Lorient in France instead. But after an unsuccessful stint in France, Jacobsen returned to MLS, with United retaining his rights.

United also recently added striker Ange N’Silu after a short trial with the club. He joined from Switzerland, where he scored 25 goals in 31 games last season for FC Le Mont. He may be a good addition to the club, who need more minutes from a second striker, considering the age and fitness of veteran Jamie Moreno.

DC United also acquired a few players through the draft: Christ Pontius (MID/FWD), Rodney Wallace (MID/DEF), and Milos Kocic (GK) the notable additions.

Season Storylines: Can this team improve over the performance from last year? There is one less tournament to deal with this time (no SuperLiga, as per new MLS rules), but expectations will be high again. Coach Tom Soehn could be in the hot seat after the end of last season, though management stuck with him. There will be pressure on him to deliver this year. The thing that has plagued the team the past two seasons has been a slow start. In 2007, the team was able to recover. In 2008, the team never really bounced back. For 2009 to be a successful year, United need to get off to a decent start to the league, and use that as a springboard for the rest of the season. Another slow start might just doom the team.

Have United made the right moves to turn things around? Central defense was a bit of a problem last season, but the club might not have fully addressed that issue. Look for this to come up at some point during the season – whether the team is succeeding or not. United leaked too many goals last season, and it was from this area of the field that most of the trouble came. If United are doing well, expect the two in this position to have succeeded in improving over last year.

Predicted Placement: Where to place the team for this season? I don’t think the team made enough improvements to the squad to become MLS champs again. They should fare better than last year, most likely, but I don’t see them finishing above third in the East. Chicago, Columbus, and New England are the teams that they have to try to take down, and they must contend with New York's resurgence as well. Look for United to just sneak into the playoffs, but don’t expect much more from the team this year.

[Scuba Steve]

Here is a photo I was referring to when the stadium story came up. The photo was taken at the 2007 MLS Cup Final.

[dena]

Originally Posted by hokiegooner

Here is a photo I was referring to when the stadium story came up. The photo was taken at the 2007 MLS Cup Final.

LOL, Balls. At least you finally got the new stadium though

Good luck on the thread, **** United though!

[Bayern]

lalalala i saw them play agaisnt galaxy they are a good team no doubt!

[Tio Nicci]

another missed playoff's?

[Scuba Steve]

Possibly, I think. I think everything has to go right for them to qualify -- limited injuries, consistent play.... Something that they desperately needed last year, but lacked. I don't know if anything will be different this season though.

[Scuba Steve]

I am applying to get my media credentials at the club for goal.com.

Hopefully that goes through soon, and then I can supply a bit more information to the thread.

[17_Gers4Life]

sweet.. ill add this thread do the directory

[Scuba Steve]

I will update the opening post here in a minute to reflect the final changes to roster, as Kocic accepted his contract with the club. Although, there is still the third keeper that has to be decided upon.

[Scuba Steve]

Not a good friendly the other day. Red card for the new guy Jakovic, couple of injuries, and a defeat.

Shoot.

[Scuba Steve]

I would go to this, if not for that fact that I am back at school.

Dear United supporters,

Earlier this week, Kevin Payne asked for your support in e-mailing and calling state and county lawmakers with messages of support for our stadium proposal in Prince George's County. You responded with a deluge of e-mails that has dwarfed anything Annapolis has ever witnessed. It is truly moving the needle for us and we'll forever appreciate the passion, the creativity and the effort you all continue to display in support of our organization on the field and off.

We're again asking for your support next Tuesday in Annapolis. While we know that many of you have work obligations, we're asking our supporters, that are able, to join us at hearings before the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Our fans will gather at 12 noon at Annapolis City Dock, which is the harbor front park at the end of the boardwalk in downtown Annapolis. People should park at meters or the city garage on Duke of Gloucester Street. Typing Susan Campbell Park, Annapolis, MD into google maps will give you the exact location.

The hearing mentioned is the first and, perhaps, most important step as the state legislature considers the bills that will enable D.C. United to contract with the Maryland Stadium Authority to build a new stadium in Prince George's County. The hearings begin at 1:00 p.m. Our collective presence is hugely important.

Those wishing to travel en masse to Annapolis may gather at RFK Stadium. A caravan will leave Lot 5 at 11:00 a.m. In the meantime, please click here to continue to send e-mails. They do make a difference. We're also encouraging fans to write and call Governor O'Malley, Lt. Governor Brown, and the Secretary of State's office.

What: D.C. United Stadium Rally
When: 12 noon, Tuesday, March 17
Where: Annapolis City Dock, 1 Dock St., Annapolis, MD
Who: D.C. United stadium supporters

Thanks again for all that you do. D.C. United's great strength is the collection of players, staff and fans that make up our family. Together, we achieve great things.

Sincerely,

Doug Hicks
Vice President, Communications

[dena]

You going hokie?

[Scuba Steve]

First line skipper there dena?

[dena]

Wouldn't have it any other way

[Scuba Steve]

Soehn was just on WSD. Pretty basic stuff though.

[Scuba Steve]

About to do some phone interviews, with Tom Soehn and probably Clyde Simms.

--------------------

Nevermind, it got bumped back to tomorrow. But I will provide the transcripts here when I am done, and then hopefully the articles will be put up tomorrow night.

[Scuba Steve]

From Washington Post. If you look on a map, you can see that the land they are referring to is right next to the Metro Station. Would be a great spot for the season.

Originally Posted by Washington Post

Pr. George's Asks Metro to Sell Land at Morgan Boulevard

By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 18, 2009; Page B03

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) has formally asked Metro to sell land the transit agency owns at the Morgan Boulevard subway station in Landover to the regional parks agency for use as a new soccer stadium for D.C. United.

In a letter sent yesterday, Johnson said the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission would like to construct offices on the land as well as a D.C. United facility.

Johnson's letter did not propose a purchase price, and in an interview he provided no details about how a sale might work. But he said the team, the county and the commission all believe a stadium at the centrally located Metro station could drive economic development that would benefit the county.

D.C. United leaders have said they want to move from 48-year-old RFK Stadium to a new 24,0000-seat facility in Prince George's.

They say a new stadium will cost $180 million to $195 million, and they have proposed that the team pay a quarter of the cost. The remainder would be paid by tax revenue generated at the stadium, they say.

D.C. United President Kevin Payne said yesterday that team leaders believe the Morgan Boulevard Metro land would be the ideal location for the stadium. Besides offering direct access to Metro's Blue Line, the site is close to the Capital Beltway and adjacent to FedEx Field, where drivers could possibly park for soccer games.

A spokeswoman for Metro said that the agency's rules require a competitive bidding process when selling land to private developers but that the agency sometimes negotiates sales directly to other government entities. Sales must be approved by Metro's board of directors.

"We are working with the county to understand its proposal," spokeswoman Candace Smith said in a statement.

Johnson's letter came on the same day that supporters and opponents of a new stadium descended on Annapolis to offer testimony about a bill that would allow the Maryland Stadium Authority to push ahead with negotiations on stadium financing.

As introduced, the bill would have also authorized the state agency to issue up to $178 million in bonds to fund the stadium, an idea that had drawn stiff opposition, because the state and county both face budget shortfalls.

The bill sponsor, Del. Melony G. Griffith (D-Prince George's), said yesterday that the measure will be amended to remove references to the bonds and to authorize only continued study.

Until last year, Metro was in negotiations to sell the 47-acre parcel of land to the Morgan Boulevard Joint Venture Group, which includes county developers Kareem Abdus-Salaam and William A. Youngblood.

Smith said that those negotiations ended without a conclusion but that the agency is considering a request to reopen talks.

In his letter, Johnson wrote that he believes a deal for the land should be reached among Metro, the commission, D.C. United and the developers. Abdus-Salaam and Youngblood are both longtime supporters of Johnson who have previously received county backing for projects.

[Scuba Steve]

Fancy new website we have up. Well, not quite as fancy as the Seattle one, but its still pretty nice.

DC United Home

[dena]

Think Soehn can avoid the axe this year?

[Scuba Steve]

Nope, after we miss the playoffs, he will be out (if not before if we are really struggling).

[Scuba Steve]

Soehn on Washington Post Live.

Just a preview on the season from the gaffer.

[Scuba Steve]

My article on Clyde Simms

Originally Posted by goal.com

Reliable Simms Took Unusual Path To MLS

Clyde Simms was one of the few positives for a beleaguered D.C. United squad last year. He'll need to repeat those performances for United to succeed this season, says Goal.com's Steven Streff.

By Steven Streff

For D.C. United, consistency was a problem that plagued the entire team in 2008. Injuries and inconsistent play caused the team to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Couple that with disappointments in the CONCACAF Champions League and SuperLiga, and the only bright spot for the team was the U.S. Open Cup victory in an underwhelming season for one of the flagship teams in MLS.

But one of the positive revelations to come out of the season was the emergence of defensive midfielder Clyde Simms. Simms, who joined the team in 2005, started every league game for United, and played 2,967 of the 2,700 minutes in the league. He also set the record for most minutes played by a United player, logging 3,847 minutes in 45 appearances in all competitions.

Such consistency helped United with the success that they did enjoy. His presence on the field helped replace the loss of Ben Olsen, who was out for the season with ankle problems. Although United conceded too many goals throughout the season, Simms did his part to help prevent even more, and contributed with a few rare goals as well.

Season Preparations

The 2009 season has already started differently for DC United, with the team not having to worry about preparing for the Champions League, due to their failure to progress from the group stages. With that, United was able to ease into their preseason training, which according to Simms, “was a much better situation” because of fewer injuries that the club has had.

Without the rush of trying to prepare for games before the MLS season even began, Simms said, “we were able to ease into things a little bit more, and we were not in a hurry to get into game shape”. This year, that could be the difference between a successful start to the MLS season, or slow, season condemning start.

In the team's first match of the season, Simms started alongside the recovering Olsen in a midfield tandem that helped United take early control of the match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Eventually, the team had to settle for an away draw as a late Landon Donovan brace tied up the score in the last ten minutes.

Route to the MLS

Simms is entering his fifth season in the MLS, all with United. But his route to the MLS was a road less traveled. Simms played at East Carolina University, before making the roster for the Richmond Kickers in the United Soccer League. Simms was then called in to the national team during a dispute between the regular national team players and the U.S. Soccer Federation. The conflict was resolved, and most of the players in that camp left, as the regulars were brought in.

But then-coach Bruce Arena kept Simms in camp and alerted D.C. United about the player's abilities. United placed a discovery claim on Simms, and eventually signed him. Simms played once for Arena and the national team, against England in 2005, but has never been called up since.

However, Simms remains focused on his play with United, and admittedly says that the national team is “one of the things that I try not to think about too much”. Simms is also grateful for the lucky breaks that have fallen his way since his college days, as he said that, “I did not think I was going to be playing professionally anywhere actually.” Several years down the road now, however, and he is one of the most important players to D.C. United.

If United are to have a successful season in 2009, it will depend largely on the consistency of Simms.

[Tio Nicci]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Unlucky?

[Scuba Steve]

Pontius goal

A fantastic strike from a guy on his debut. If not for the extremely high amount of fantastic goals these weekend, this might have won goal of the week.