rebecca payne
The Washington Nationals’ very own Bryce Harper is one of seven stars in contention to be on the cover of “MLB 13 The Show,” a new video game. Voting is easy in this social media contest:
- Tweet using the hasghtag #MLB13Harper on Twitter
- Vote Online
Voting ends at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 11. Fans can vote up to 25 times per day.
2012 was a good year for D.C. Sports. D.C. United, the Washington Nationals, the Washington Capitals and the Washington Redskins each qualified for their respective post seasons with United reaching the Eastern Conference Final, the Nationals reaching game 5 of the National League Divisional Series and the Capitals finding their way into the Conference Semifinals. The Black-and-Red supports all D.C. Teams!
Vote #MLB13Harper today
In a recent post on MLSsoccer.com, editors chose D.C. United as a team primed for a deeper playoff run in 2013, saying that with the return of a healthy Dwayne De Rosario, United could be a, "real title contender."
Perhaps just as compelling as a healthy De Rosario is the wealth of young talent in the Black-and-Red core. With an average age of 25, United is among the most youthful squads in MLS. But in this case, youth does not equal inexperience. United's roster boasts the 2012 MLS All Star MVP, 2012 MLS Best XI selection and 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Chris Pontius (25) and three other Rookie of the Year finalists in just as many seasons: Nick DeLeon (22), emerging center midfield star Perry Kitchen (20), and 2012 Olympian and homegrown standout Andy Najar (19), the 2010 Rookie of the Year. Additionally, starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid (22) - the first D.C. United Acadmey product to sign directly with the first team – led all MLS netminders in saves percentage (78.6%) and registered the third-best GAA (1.03) in 2012.
With its captain back to full form and a young roster, who turned more than a few heads in 2012, United is indeed set to contend for the Cup in 2013.
With the announcement of new ownership in July of this year, D.C. United made a pledge to become a more global brand. As the year wound down, that commitment was evident.
D.C. United had reached new heights on and off the field. The team boasted the best home record in the league, and a return to the playoffs for the first time in five years. Off the field, D.C. United touched the lives of thousands of children through their community outreach efforts and through various camp programs.
But D.C. United's reach went far beyond their community and home fan base. The club saw growth in worldwide interest of the team. Fans emerged from 47 of the 50 states and 15 different countries to purchase gear from the Team Store, including an order that was shipped to the North Pole. North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were the only states who did not receive shipments from D.C. United this year. Dwayne De Rosario jerseys were a hot item in Canada, but team merchandise was also shipped to a handful of European countries, China, Japan, and Australia.
With 2013 upon us, and a new season on the horizon, United reaches even further. Join us. Rise together.
From around the globe, D.C. United players reflect on 2012 and look forward to 2013.
Happy NY. Thanks to all of you who have supported & may 2013 be filled with health & strength...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) January 1, 2013
Haappy New Year to Everyone!! Let's try n make the world a better place, starting w ourselves!! #Peace&Love
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) January 1, 2013
Happy 2013!!! God Bless Everyone...Feliz 2013!! Deus abençoe a todos ... Grande bjao@ Balneario Camboriu instagr.am/p/T6x6fQvsWy/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) December 31, 2012
One of my fav photos of 2012. After Allstar game with my boy @1dankennedy instagr.am/p/T6qRhJuem7/
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 31, 2012
Thank you to fans and supporters of #DCU. Happy New Year, see you on March 9 at RFK: bit.ly/ZQ0T0M
— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 1, 2013
Despite his teammates not naming him the "Best at FIFA" in this year's superlatives, Bill Hamid is one of D.C. United's FIFA enthusiasts. Recently he sat down with ESPN to talk about his playing style and how being a professional soccer player has helped him become better at the video game.
"You know at certain points when to cross when you see runners going. You know when to bring the keeper out when there’s a breakaway. Being a pro soccer player, you figure those things out easier," explained Hamid. Read the full article on ESPN now.
Yesterday, MLS and adidas unveiled the new official match ball for 2013. The adidas PRIME features a few updates from it's 2012 version, including a slightly new look and upgraded technology.
The updates make the PRIME more water resistant and increasingly more aerodynamic with a cutting-edge panel bonding technique. The ball features a matte finish with slight texture to help with ball control, while changes to the bladder help prevent air and shape loss across all weather conditions.
The PRIME keeps it's traditional MLS colors of green, blue and white, while it also still features the signature of League Commissioner Don Garber. The design change is in the shapes, which were changed to emulate the handles of the Philip F. Anschutz trophy.
D.C. United faces Houston on March 2, 2013 marking their first match with the new ball.
With the holidays upon us, D.C. United players share their travel and celebration plans with fans via Twitter.
Chris Pontius heads back home.
Last day in DC before I head back to Cali for the holidays. Busy busy busy
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 20, 2012
Dwayne De Rosario is looking for the best place to celebrate the New Year. Any suggestions?
Best New Years party destination???
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) December 19, 2012
Dejan Jakovic spends time with family.
It's always nice to be back home with the fam
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 20, 2012
Marcelo Saragosa finds time to enjoy a poolside vacation.
Vacation !!!! instagr.am/p/Ta443rPsZl/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) December 19, 2012
Do you ever wonder what professional athletes do during the offseason? It's easy to keep up with D.C. United players through their Tweets.
For veteran captain Dwayne De Rosario, work never stops. DeRo plays an active role in his winter camp series:
Was real nice to see all the kids at my #derofutbol development & power training session today. Keep up the good work the future is bright!
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) December 8, 2012
Chris Pontius and Perry Kitchen catch up on their favorite TV shows and movies:
Cool runnings on earlier...now Home Alone is on. Becoming best friends with the couch today
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 11, 2012
Dexter and Homeland were intense! Season Finales gonna be crazy!
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) December 10, 2012
Dejan Jakovic shares his passion for DC sports:
MNF - playoffs at stake! couldn't have picked a better game to go to! #skins @chrispontius13 @ethanwhite15
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 3, 2012
Wizards playing some good basketball right now vs the Heat
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 5, 2012
Brandon McDonald travels visit friends and family:
Arizona bound!!
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) December 10, 2012
Morning view this morning out here in La Jolla, Ca!! #westCoastLiving twitter.com/BMcDonald4/sta…
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 29, 2012
Hello NYC!! #5thAve #AuthenticCubanFood #Sophies #itis twitter.com/BMcDonald4/sta…
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 26, 2012
Bill Hamid and Ethan White keep themselves physically and mentally fit:
Off to training
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) December 13, 2012
Early morning workouts starting today. #leggoo
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) December 5, 2012
Yesterday, Grantland.com released their Designated Player: 2012 MLS Awards. In the category of Fans of the Year, they awarded the fans and supporters of the Black-and-Red.
PHOTOS - D.C. United fans at Red Bull Arena
United fans are recognized for their display of loyalty amidst a tough playoff series against New York. A series which saw buses full of D.C. United fans travel not one night, but two nights in a row up to Red Bull Arena in the blistering cold. Since their 1996 inaugural campaign, United has been proud to boast some of the most passionate and supportive fans in all of MLS.
The same article also mentions D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen as a runner-up for Coach of the Year. Olsen lead D.C. to the best home record in the league, and took the team to the playoffs for the first time in five year.
READ: The Designated Player: 2012 MLS Awards
Related
On Friday night the Georgetown Men's Soccer Team made school history when they qualified for the NCAA National Championship match for the first time. The Hoyas battled neighbor school, the University of Maryland to a 4-4 draw in regular-time.
Former D.C. United Academy midfielder Tyler Rudy, a sophomore at Georgetown, played his part with an assist on the first Hoyas goal in the 33rd minute. Eventually the sides would meet for penalty kicks, and Georgetown would come out on top 4-3.
The local boys make their first National Championship appearance this Sunday at 2:00 PM against seven-time National Champions the Indiana Hoosiers. Watch the match on ESPNU or at WatchESPN.com, with commentary by Glenn Davis and Taylor Twellman.