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Young Designated Player Rafael, 20, earned his first MLS “Goal of the Week” nomination after tallying a sensational 35-yard strike in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday. The goal is also the second-quickest tally in a D.C. United debut start.
The youngest current DP in the League, Rafael inked a deal with the Black-and-Red on Jan. 9 after notching 10 goals in 36 appearances for Bahia (Brazil’s Serie A).
MLSsoccer.com and Howler Magazine have collaborated to create OVERLAP, a digital magazine about North American soccer. Each issue, available on the iPad, will include orginial writing, photography, illustration and audio. The first issue features a profile of Graham Zusi, an essay by George Vecsey of the New York Times, a look back from each MLS Cup winner and many more original stories and work. Click here to download the issue.
After recording seven saves on Saturday in a 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls for his second consecutive shutout, Bill Hamid was twice nominated for "MLS Save of the Week" for Week 3. The first save up for contention came in the 67th minute when Hamid pawed away a Tim Cahill volley from inside the six-yard box. The second nomination was perhaps Hamid's most crucial - a clearance off the line in stoppage time to keep the sides even.
Hamid previously was awarded "MLS Save of the Week" in Week 1 of this season and his efforts from Saturday earned him "MLS Player of the Week."
A highlight from this past weekend's match at Houston was Bill Hamid. The young United keeper made a handful of spectacular saves, including one that he and defender Chris Korb doubled up for. The save earned Hamid a spot among the finalists for the MLS Save of the Week contest. Watch now and then vote for your Save of the Week!
RELATED: Spotlight on Bill Hamid
At an MLS Jersey Week event last night, a New York Red Bulls fan let everyone know how he/she felt about the Black-and-Red. Weak.
Our supporters, on the other hand, are much more creative.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C:
Oh yeah, remember when United supporters outnumbered New York fans at Red Bull Arena during playoffs last year? Awkward...
FIFA today announced that Goal-Line Technology (GLT) will be used at both the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup. A successful trial period at the FIFA Club World Cup and Frank Lampard’s uncounted goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup were reportedly two big factors in the decision that came down.
"The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests," a FIFA statement communicated.
Last July, Major League Soccer (MLS) entertained the thought of using GLT by the 2013 season, but those tentative plans were scrapped. Back on July 5, 2012, Nelson Rodriguez, executive vice president of competition and game operations, said, “MLS is eager to begin the process toward implementing one of these advancements, but we first need to research the installation, testing, staffing and training required.”
D.C. United Managing Partner Jason M. Levien told The Washington Post’s Steven Goff that the club’s leadership is “very hopeful” about the prospect of reaching a deal with Washington, D.C. to build a soccer stadium in the city for the Black-and-Red:
Levien said: “The stars are aligning in a good way for us. We’re working closely with the right people and we feel better about it today than we did three months ago, no question.”
“Interaction with the city has been very positive and very productive,” Levien said. “We’re pushing the right buttons and making things happen in a good way. … There is more than hope. We are very hopeful.”
“We greatly appreciate [Baltimore’s] interest and outreach,” he said, “but our focus is here. Our fans deserve our focus to be here and that is guiding us right now.”
United captain Dwayne De Rosario takes the positives from the 4-0 rout.
Great play from the boys tnite. Still got work to do as we prepare for season but nice to be back with the guys playing! @dcunited
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 10, 2013
Defender Ethan White marvels at former Maryland teammate Taylor Kemp's finishing skills.
Well done from the boys tonight. Didn't know @tkemp02 knew what to do in front of goal. One to the next one. #dcu #tchub
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 10, 2013
Kemp sets him straight.
@ethanwhite15 Probably haven't been that close to an opposing team's goal since '92, but it's like riding a bike
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 10, 2013
Kemp and MLSsoccer.com's Jason Saghini go back and forth on Kemp's two goals.
@jasonsaghini lets just say my thought running up to the first one was "if I miss this I might as well hang up the boots for good"
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 10, 2013
16-year-old Homegrown product Michael Seaton thinks he should have scored, but likes the result.
Great win #DCU4-0 ,should of scored but oh well we still won and that's all that matters
— Jamaican (@MichaelSeatonn) February 10, 2013
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid keeps it short and sweet.
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 10, 2013
White still loves Hamid's catchphrase.
Typing "TCHUB" in my phone still cracks me up. Haha @billhamid28
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 10, 2013
Homegrown player Conor Shanosky, who went on loan to the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers last year, likes defeating a familiar foe.
Good to beat tampa bay rowdies again @flight_19 @ftlstrikers
— Conor Shanosky (@ConorShanosky17) February 10, 2013
United captain Dwayne De Rosario is catching both fútbol and football today.
Got my tele on @futbol @mancity vs @liverpool & got to squeeze in @fcbarcelonafl then @superbowlsunday couch potato today and not moving!
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 3, 2013
DeRo also wonders where all the Baltimore fans are in his feed.
Damn a lot of #49ers fans! We're all my #Ravens peeps at...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 3, 2013
Midfielder Perry Kitchen is taking predictions.
SuperSunday! Who ya got?? #SuperBowlSunday
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) February 3, 2013
Defender Brandon McDonald's loyalties are split.
Win win for me today! 9rs all day long, but to see Ray Lewis go out on top, wouldn't mind that either!! #PureBeast #LivingLegend #BayArea
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) February 3, 2013
Defender Ethan White hopes to make it back to D.C. in time.
A lot to do today before the Super Bowl and heading back to DC tonight. Starting off with brunch.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 3, 2013
Chris Pontius is happy to return to the District.
Felt good to step on the field again today. It's been real Florida, but I'm ready to get back to DC instagr.am/p/VM3q_3OelK/
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) February 1, 2013
United's captain hopes to bring back some warmth to D.C.
On the road again! Off to #DC for a few days. Hope I can bring some of this sun to DC...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 1, 2013
Defender Ethan White takes advantage of a free weekend to travel.
Got this weekend off from preseason. Why not head up to NYC? #SPGI @bmcdonald4
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 2, 2013
2013 SuperDraft selection Taylor Kemp wishes it wasn't so cold in the nation's capital.
First Florida camp done, excited to head back to dc for a little, but come on does it really have to be freezing when we land?
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 1, 2013
Midfielder Nick DeLeon enjoyed his second go-around at pre-season.
Been a long trip, have one more game today vs malmo fc. Then finally back to dc.
— Nick DeLeon(@NickDeLeon7) February 1, 2013
Midfielder Perry Kitchen valued his time in Bradenton.
Team Dinner. Match in the AM then back to DC. Been a great trip so far
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) January 31, 2013
16-year-old Homegrown signing Michael Seaton is happy to be home.
I'm home ..
BMac comes home to discover a likely high utilities bill for January.
Ummmmm coming home after a LONG pre season trip to find out your heater was on 90degrees THE WHOLE TIME!