Team
Twelve years ago yesterday marks a special day in history for the United States Men’s National Team—especially for D.C. United’s own assistant coach Josh Wolff. On February 28, 2012, the USMNT beat Mexico in a World Cup qualifying match in Columbus, Ohio. Entering the game for a black-eyed Brian McBride, then 24-year-old Wolff entered the match eleven minutes in. Then an injured captain Claudio Reyna subbed out towards the end of the first half, giving an opportunity to then New York MetroStar Clint Mathis. Just four minutes later, Mathis hit a long ball over the Mexican back line—a long ball Josh Wolff timed perfectly. Winning the footrace against Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos, Wolff slipped the ball into the empty net and immediately celebrated. Wolff’s contributions didn’t end there. With three minutes left in regulation, he spun a Mexico defender and escaped a double team. Wolff dribbled down the goal line, picked up his head, and slot the ball back for an open Earnie Stewart to calmly finish. The USMNT emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Mexico, bringing glory to the fans in the stadium that day in Columbus, Ohio, USMNT supporters, and Americans everywhere.
A past MLS MVP and former captain of his country’s national team, Carlos Ruiz became the first-ever Guatemalan player to sign with D.C. United on Feb. 20, 2012. Although perhaps not the first from their countries to wear the Black-and-Red, many other United players are also foreign-born.
United center back Dejan Jakovic was born in Croatia, moved to Canada, and now plays for the Canadian National Team. Lewis Neal was born and raised in Leicester, England. Neal played professionally in England until coming stateside to play with NASL side Orlando City S.C. Three Black-and-Red teammates hail from Brazil—Marcelo Saragosa from Campo Grande, Raphael Augusto from Rio de Janerio, and young Designated Player Raphael from Àuga Boa, Mias Gerais (a Brazilian State). Also from South America is United forward Lionard Pajoy, hailing from Norte de Santander, Colombia. D.C. defender Robbie Russell was born in Accra, Ghana and lived on four different continents (Africa, Asia, North America and Europe) before his family settled in Amherst, Massachusetts. Recently acquired John Thorrington was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and then moved to Los Angeles, California before signing with England’s Manchester United. United’s newest Homegrown Player Michael Seaton, 16, hails from Spanish Town, Jamaica and represented his country in the CFU U-17 FIFA World Cup. Another new addition to the Black-and-Red, Syamsir Alam comes to D.C. from Jakarta Indonesia. In total, 11 United players come from other countries before arriving in the nation’s capital to put on the Black-and-Red.
Did you watch The Late Show with David Letterman last night? If so, you would have seen Imagine Dragons, an indie rock band out of Las Vegas Nevada. The band is on tour, promoting their debut album Night Visions. After an afternoon taping session in New York City, the group headed south to Silver Spring, Maryland for their show at The Fillmore. After the show, D.C. United was proud to present the band members each with an authentic D.C. United jersey, while we all watched the remainder of The Late Show backstage.
D.C. United would like to send a special thanks to the band, as well as Live Nation and The Fillmore for a great performance and for the support of the Black-and-Red.
WATCH: The Late Show with David Letterman - Full Episode: February 22, 2013 or Imagine Dragon's performance on The Late Show below:
Captain Dwayne De Rosario is ready for some fun in the sun.
Couple days off! Time relax soak up the sun & kick the feet up. Long @mlssoccer season ahead...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 16, 2013
DeRo also took in the NBA All-Star Game.
Tip off we on! #nbaallstar game instagr.am/p/V2siEvgDtX/
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 18, 2013
Homegrown goalkeeper Bill Hamid ran into UFC fighter Rashad Evans.
Saw @sugarashadevans shopping in Miami. Big fan. Nuff Respect twitter.com/BillHamid28/st…
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 18, 2013
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa is excited to see Miami...
#Miami Here we go #miamibeach #tags #sun #beach #tagsforlikes @ Miami Beach instagr.am/p/V0LWdkvsaq/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 17, 2013
...and shows us a little bit of paradise.
.... @ Miami Beach instagr.am/p/V1sZKFPsUV/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 17, 2013
Defender Daniel Woolard spent the day at Disney with his other half.
Much needed day off spent at Disney World with the wife! twitter.com/Woolard21/stat…
— Daniel Woolard (@Woolard21) February 18, 2013
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
Last month D.C. United received a very special email from a family in Florida. The family, and particularly their youngest daughter Brooke, are diehard D.C. United fans, despite living almost 1000 miles from Washington DC. When they heard the news that the Black-and-Red would be playing in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, they made plans to travel to Orlando for the first match versus the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Following the match, D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen surprised Brooke with a quick visit at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The young fan told Kitchen that he shared the same number as her, and was therefore her favorite player on the team.
Thank you to Brooke and all of the D.C. United supporters who made it out to Orlando for the match!
Captain Dwayne De Rosario is ready for the eight-team pre-season tournament.
Just arrived into Orlando for #disney showcase tournament starting Sat. @dcunited
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 7, 2013
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa takes a selfie from the plane, with a photobomb by fellow Brazilian Raphael Augusto.
Eu e o Mlkii rphaugusto...#Florida# #Orlando# Here we go Again# #PreSeason# @ Ronald Reagan Washington… instagr.am/p/Vbm_1xvsVk/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 7, 2013
First round SuperDraft pick and Colorado native Taylor Kemp is excited to escape to warmer climates.
Back to florida tomorrow, can't say I'm upset to hit the warm weather again #lifeisgood
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 7, 2013
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid made it safe and sound.
Landed in Orlando
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 7, 2013
Defender Daniel Woolard is ready to train down south.
Back in FL for the last trip of preseason.
— Daniel Woolard (@Woolard21) February 7, 2013
Defender Ethan White spent time with family before departing again.
Dinner date my momma before I depart for preseason trip number 2 to Orlando.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 7, 2013
Trialist Henry Kalungi is excited for his opportunity in Orlando.
Just landed in Orlando for preseason with Dc United:)
— Henry Kalungi (@HenryKalungi) February 7, 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
With the news that Homegrown Player Andy Najar has been transferred to R.S.C. Anderlecht, D.C. United players tweeted their well-wishes.
United captain Dwayne De Rosario:
Wishing my boy @andynajar all the best in his move to Belgian side @r.S.C.Anderlecht. I know he will do well...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) January 30, 2013
2012 MLS Best XI selection Chris Pontius:
As much as is sucks to lose Andy, I'm genuinely happy for the kid. Great player, unreal potential, awesome person. Good luck Andy
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) January 30, 2013
Fellow United Homegrown products Bill Hamid...:
Big ups to Najar.. Couldn't be more happier for him. Well deserved. Go show the world what u can do playa!!! Congrats kid
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) January 30, 2013
...and Ethan White:
Good luck to Andy Najar at Anderlecht. Bittersweet feeling but I couldn't be more proud. Big things to come for him. #dcu #academyboys
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) January 30, 2013
Midfielder Perry Kitchen:
Good luck to Andy! What a great opportunity. He is going to kill it!
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) January 30, 2013
Defender Brandon McDonald:
Our team is really goin 2 miss @andy_najar !!! Truly happy for him & his family w this opportunity 2 fulfill his dreams! Hes goin 2 kill it!
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) January 30, 2013
Defender Dejan Jakovic:
Big move for @andy_najar wish you all the best in Belgium with Anderlecht
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) January 30, 2013
And fellow former MLSer and Anderlecht teammate Sacha Kljestan:
Happy that we signed Andy Najar from DC United. Nice to have another former MLS player here at RSCA.
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) January 30, 2013
The full D.C. United preseason roster was released on Friday. Below, we introduce the seven trialists on the list.
Kyle Altman
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 26-year-old Altman currently plays for the Minnesota Stars FC. The defender was originally drafted by the New England Revolution in the second round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, but joined the Minnesota Thunder after being waived by the club. Since joining the Minnesota Stars in 2010, Altman took on the role of team captain and earned more minutes in the past two seasons than any other player on the team.
Neven Markovic
Neven Markovic is 25-year-old Serbian soccer player, who most recently played for MLS' Sporting Kansas City. Markovic was a member of the 2012 Sporting roster who won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The left back previously played for a couple of teams in the Serbian SuperLiga, including FC Rad Belgrade from 2005 to 2008.
Joseph Nane
A graduate of Old Dominion University, Joseph Nane was originally drafted by Toronto FC in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. At the end of the 2010 campaign, the Cameroonian native was traded to the Colorado where he spent two seasons playing for the Rapids. The midfielder appeared in nine games in 2012, notching one goal in 446 minutes.
Demitrius Omphroy
Demitrius Omphroy is an American-born soccer player from Alameda, California. With his Filipino roots, the versatile 23-year-old has one cap with the Philippines National Team. After four years at the University of California, Berkley, Omphroy was drafted by Toronto FC in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.
Diego Restrepo
Although he was born in Venezuela and lived in Colombia until he was 13, Restrepo is an American who has seen time with both the U-17 and U-20 US National Teams. The goalkeeper won the starting role with the University of Virginia Cavaliers in 2009, leading the team to a National Championship. While at the UVA, Restrepo broke several of US Soccer Star Tony Meola's records including games played (25), minutes played (2348), shutouts (16), consecutive shutouts (11) and consecutive scoreless minutes (1176).
Ryan Richter
Ryan Richter is a 23-year-old midfielder out of Pennsylvania. He currently plays for the Charleston Battery in the USL. A graduate of LaSalle University, Richter was drafted by the Philadelphia Union in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. After his contract was not picked up in 2012, Richter joined D.C. United for preseason and finally landed with the Battery for the 2012 season.
Matt VanOekel
Like Kyle Altman, Matt VanOekel currently plays with the Minnesota Stars. VanOekel originally played for the Minnesota Thunder of the USL before the team folded, he was then picked up by their successors, the NASL Minnesota Stars where he soon became the starting goal keeper.