ryan tronovitch
Beach, fishing, movies and rest were the highlights of the Black-and-Red’s off-day.
While pre-season is in full swing, D.C. United was given a rare day off on Sunday. Some took the day to rest, while others took full advantage of the local beaches and attractions.
Daniel Woolard took a cruise up to St. Petersburg to go fishing with former D.C. United Strength Coach Pete Calabrese. While Woolard reeled in a few fish, he told me that he didn’t land any worth taking photos of.
Others, like Nick DeLeon, Joe Willis, Marcelo Saragosa, John Thorrington and Lionard Pajoy took the time to visit one of the most picturesque beaches in the world, Siesta Key Beach.
Siesta Key Beach Florida!!!Enjoying the day Off!!! @ Siesta Key Beach instagr.am/p/U_isgiPsUH/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) January 27, 2013
Chris Pontius and newcomer Casey Townsend relaxed before going to see Django Unchained at a nearby theatre last night.
Lakers win and now seeing Django Unchained. @ethanwhite15 @bmcdonald4
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) January 28, 2013
While players were all over the map in terms of what they did on their off day, one thing was consistent, they all enjoyed a bit of rest and relaxation after an already long pre-season camp in Bradenton, Florida.
After D.C. United’s schedule was released, we decided to take a closer look and highlight some things you might have missed if you were just glancing through. One thing is consistent with this year’s schedule: it provides all United fans great opportunity to catch their club at RFK Stadium. Instead of multiple mid-week games last year, D.C. United only plays once on a Wednesday at home. Most home games are on Saturdays, and have an earlier time-slot at 7:00 instead of 7:30 (for non-nationally televised games). Check out more on the schedule below:
- D.C. United plays on national television 12 times throughout the year. Two of those games are on NBC (D.C. United has two of the three games on the NBC network this year).
- D.C. United plays five games in June and August, while the Black-and-Red play four games in the months of March, April, May, July, September and October.
- D.C. United ends the season with six Eastern Conference foes (New England, Toronto, Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Houston), three are on the road and three are at RFK.
- The Black-and-Red play on NBC twice, ESPN2 once, NBC Sports Network six times, and UniMas three times.
- Rivalry week: Week three of the MLS season is rivalry week with D.C. United facing off against its Eastern Conference rival, the New York Red Bulls.
- Mark your calendars: D.C. United will play against the 2012 Supporters Shield winners San Jose Earthquakes at home on 6/22 at 7:00pm and play against the regular season Eastern Conference Champions Sporting Kansas City at home on 5/19 at 5:00pm.
- Beat the heat: Between June and September, where average temperatures and humidity in the nation’s capital soar, D.C. United has no games during the daytime.
With an array of family and budget friendly ticket packages, from season tickets to a four-game entry package, it's never been easier to be a part of the Black-and-Red. Buy your season tickets, half-season tickets, or four-game plans today HERE.
Leading into the MLS Eastern Conference Championship match, United players and coaches will hit the airwaves to talk about the importance of Sunday’s match against the Houston Dynamo at RFK Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know in order to tune-in and hear from D.C. United directly.
Thursday
- Defender Robbie Russell will be on Sirius XM FC at 5:05 p.m.: LISTEN
- Midfielder Nick DeLeon on with Extra Time Radio: LISTEN
- Head Coach Ben Olsen on with LaVar and Dukes at 6:00 p.m.: LISTEN AGAIN
- Goalkeeper Coach Pat Onstad with TEAM 1410 radio in Vancouver, BC at 6:15 p.m.: LISTEN
Friday
- Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario on with the Junkies at 8:45 a.m.: LISTEN
Leading into one of D.C. United’s biggest games over the last five years, the team’s players and coaches will hit the airwaves to talk about the importance of Saturday’s match against the Houston Dynamo at RFK Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know in order to tune-in and hear from D.C. United directly.
Tuesday
- Midfielder Nick DeLeon will join Sports Talk with Alex Parker on Channel 7 and Channel 8 at 9:00 p.m., live and in-studio. WATCH AGAIN
- Assistant Coach Chad Ashton will join Glenn Davis on ESPN Radio at 8:45 p.m. LISTEN HERE
- Midfielder Lewis Neal will join the MLS Reserves Podcast. LISTEN HERE
Wednesday
- Midfielder Perry Kitchen will join the Boxer Show on WMZQ at 8:20 a.m. LISTEN LIVE HERE
- Head Coach Ben Olsen will join Elliot in the Morning on DC101 at 8:40 a.m. LISTEN AGAIN
Also be on the lookout throughout the week for United players and coaches on your favorite local television stations. Check back here for updates throughout the week on where to catch even more players and coaches in the media.
Statistics suggest United should feel confident ahead of the second leg
Heading into Sunday's Eastern Conference Final, United will either end its season on Sunday or overcome a two-goal deficit and go on to host MLS Cup on December 1. The stats suggest the Black-and-Red can do it.
At the end of regular season, only San Jose (72 GF), Los Angeles (59 GF), and New York (57 GF) netted more goals than D.C. United's 53.
D.C. United has 15 multi-goal games this year.
The Black-and-Red have netted four goals three times (against FC Dallas, the New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire); three goals six different times (against the Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC, New England Revolution, Montreal Impact and Columbus Crew); and two goals six different times (against the New England Revolution twice, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls twice and Colorado Rapids).
D.C. United is tied for 4th in League with most wins by 2+ goals
When it comes to winning games by two goals or more, D.C. United (7) is tied for fourth in the League. Only LA (11), San Jose (9), Seattle (9), Colorado (8), New York (8), and Montreal (8) have one more games by two or more goals.
On the other side of things, Houston is tied for 4th in the League with most losses by 2+ goals. Only Chivas USA (10), Toronto FC (9), New York (8), Montreal (8), and Portland (8) have more losses by two or more goals – none of which are still in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Houston prone to giving up goals on the road
Through 34 regular season games, only two teams given up more goals while on the road than the Houston Dynamo (29) - last place Toronto FC (37) and seventh place Montreal Impact (32).
The Dynamo were 3-9-5 on the road through the regular season, with big losses coming to the Vancouver Whitecaps (3-1 on 6/10), Montreal Impact (4-2 on 6/23), the Chicago Fire (3-1 on 9/2), the Philadelphia Union (3-1 on 9/23), and the Colorado Rapids (2-0 on 10/27).
YOU TELL US: What do you think will happen on Sunday at RFK Stadium?
Leading into one of D.C. United’s biggest games over the last five years, the team’s players and coaches will hit the airwaves to talk about the importance of Saturday’s match against the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know in order to tune-in and hear from D.C. United directly.
Wednesday
- Head Coach Ben Olsen on with the Sports Junkies on 106.7 FM at 8:45am Replay
- Midfielder Nick DeLeon on with the Upper 90 Show podcast Listen
Thursday
- Midfielder Perry Kitchen on with Boxer in the Morning on 98.7 FM at 8:10am Replay
- Midfielder Chris Pontius on with Elliot in the Morning on DC101 (101.1 FM) at 8:30am Replay
- Midfielder Chris Pontius will join WUSA9 at 5:45pm live and in-studio to talk about D.C. United’s playoff push.
- Head Coach Ben Olsen on with LaVar & Dukes on 106.7 FM at 6:00pm. Replay
- Midfielder Chris Pontius on SportsTalk Live on Comcast Sports Net (with hosts Ivan Carter and Brian Mitchell) at 10:30pm (12:30am replay)
Unprecedented access will tell a different story of the typical day for MLS’s 2011 MVP
In the coming days, D.C. United players will be featured prominently across national television as the squad enters its most crucial part of the season. Below are some brief highlights and when the action will take place. Don’t forget to tune in or set your DVR’s!
MLS36 with Dwayne De Rosario on NBC
In the days before D.C. United’s game with Philadelphia on 8/19, NBC Sports was granted unprecedented access to 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario. The feature chronicles the 36 hours prior to a game, and all of the prep that goes along with it, for De Rosario. De Rosario will be the third feature in the series, which has already gone through 36 hours with Chris Wondolowski of the Earthquakes and Fredy Montero of the Sounders. Make sure and tune in to NBC Sports Network at 7:00pm ET on Wednesday night to catch this one of a kind feature.
ESPN2 Feature on Andy Najar
United defender-midfielder and Edison High School (Alexandria, VA) standout Andy Najar has one of the most compelling stories in all of soccer – from his family background, to his unique abilities that has seen him spend valuable minutes in international competition as well as being one of the most exciting young players around. ESPN joined Andy at a few training sessions this summer to sit down and tell that story. Make sure and check it out during the pre-game show for D.C. United v Philadelphia Union on Thursday at 8:00pm ET on ESPN2.
We Live Soccer
Earlier in the summer, FOX Soccer spent some time in and around not only RFK Stadium, but the Greater Washington area to pull together a new and fresh look at soccer and culture in D.C. The crew spent times with D.C. United players like Dwayne De Rosario and Chris Pontius, and even spent some time in the stands of RFK Stadium during a game. Tune in on Monday, September 24th at 7:30pm ET to see the special.
With a win or tie tonight, United will tie its streak of 13 unbeaten at home
With one of D.C. United’s biggest home games tonight against the New York Red Bulls, what better place to play the game than at RFK Stadium, in front of the best fans in Major League Soccer.
It has been a goal of the Black-and-Red all season to take back RFK. Signs hang in the locker room, the team tunnel, and elsewhere reminding the team that its important to make RFK a difficult place to play.
With one of D.C. United’s biggest home games tonight againstthe New York Red Bulls, what better place to play the game than at RFK Stadium,in front of the best fans in Major League Soccer.
It has been a goal of the Black-and-Red all season to takeback RFK. Signs hang in the locker room, the team tunnel, and elsewhere remindingthe team that its important to make RFK a difficult place to play.
United’s only loss of the season came on opening night –March 10th – when Sporting Kansas City bested the Black-and-Red in extra time1-0. Since then, D.C. United has been a powerhouse at home. Here’s a look intothe League’s second longest home-undefeated streak:
- It’s been 172 days since D.C. United lost at home – theequivalent of nearly half a year (5 months and 19 days).
- It’s been 1080 minutes of game time.
- United has won nine times, and tied only three times. It’sbiggest wins were 4-1 thumpings of the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas.
- United has scored 29 goals while only giving up 11.
- With a win or tie tonight, United will tie its streak of 13unbeaten at home (United was 10-0-3 over a 13-game home stretch in 2007).
D.C. United hosts the New York Red Bulls tonight - Join Olsen's Army
A look into Wednesday's DC-NY clash
As we approach the latest chapter in D.C. United-New York Red Bulls history tomorrow night at RFK Stadium, here’s a historic look back into Major League Soccer’s fiercest rivalry.
In the history of Major League Soccer, no other team has beat a team as much as D.C. United has beat the New York Red Bulls. D.C. United holds an impressive 31-20-7 all-time record against the Red Bulls. At home, D.C. United holds a 18-9-3 advantage, scoring an impressive 65 goals against the New York Red Bulls.
As we approach the latest chapter in D.C. United-New YorkRed Bulls history tomorrow night at RFK Stadium, here’s a historic look backinto Major League Soccer’s fiercest rivalry.
In the history of Major League Soccer, no other team hasbeat a team as much as D.C. United has beat the New York Red Bulls. D.C. Unitedholds an impressive 31-20-7 all-time record against the Red Bulls. At home,D.C. United holds a 18-9-3 advantage, scoring an impressive 65 goals againstthe New York Red Bulls.
Biggest win: 9/16/1998 – when the Black-and-Red beat thethen-MetroStars 5-0 at Giants Stadium.
Most goals: Jamie Moreno, with 24 to his name.
Fastest goal: On 6/24/12, D.C. United stunned the New YorkRed Bulls at Red Bull Arena with a Pontius goal just 31 seconds into the match.Pontius’ header from point blank range was D.C. United’s fastest goal in theclub’s 17-year history.
Post-season record: 5-1-1. United’s only loss came in ashootout on 9/24/96 after the score remained deadlocked at 2-2.
Plus a look into matchup history with the Chicago Fire
Shanoksy (right) playing for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Today, the NASL named Fort Lauderdale Strikers midfielder Conor Shanosky Defensive Player of the Week following a strong performance on the road against the Puerto Rico Islanders on 8/18. Shanosky, D.C. United’s third homegrown player to sign with the first team (following Bill Hamid and Andy Najar), is currently on a season-long loan with the Strikers.
Shanosky has helped the Strikers to an 8-7-8 record this season, playing in 23 games with 22 starts for the NASL side.
D.C. UNITED VS CHICAGO FIRE:
Today, the NASL named Fort Lauderdale Strikers midfielderConor Shanosky Defensive Player of the Week following a strong performance onthe road against the Puerto Rico Islanders on 8/18. Shanosky, D.C. United’sthird homegrown player to sign with the first team (following Bill Hamid andAndy Najar), is currently on a season-long loan with the Strikers.
Shanosky has helped the Strikers to an 8-7-8 record thisseason, playing in 23 games with 22 starts for the NASL side.
D.C. UNITED VS CHICAGO FIRE:
D.C. United holds the all-time advantage against the Fire(16-15-10) and also holds a 10-7-4 record at RFK Stadium. When in the friendly confines of RFK Stadium,D.C. United has scored an impressive 33 goals in 21 matchups.
Biggest win: 4-1 over Chicago on 7/18/1998 at RFK Stadium (Roy Lassiter with 3 goals in the game).
Number of ties: 10 over 41 matchups.
Top goal scorer in matchup history: Jaime Moreno (10).
