United Notebook
D.C. United's goalkeeper Bill Hamid knows how to make an entrance. Untied's stellar homegrown product earned the 2013 season's first Save of the Week. The 22-year-old netminder made a spectacular save, denying Giles Barnes' one-touch rocket from inside the six yard box during Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.
Hamid earned 25% of the votes, beating Andy Gruenebaum of the Columbus Crew by 1 percentage point. The show-stopping save earned Hamid his first ever Save of the Week after multiple nominations for the honor.
2012 Rookie of the Year Finalist Nick DeLeon added some new, team-sprited ink to his right arm. The 22-year-old standout broke United's rookie regular-season scoring record last year, and now boasts a vintage D.C. United logo tattoo, showing his dedication to and passion for the Black-and-Red.
Do you share his passion? Show us your ink!
Chris Pontius is a man of many talents. His endless work rate and speed are the perfect combination for a midfielder. His finishing is that of a striker. But tomorrow, he wears a completely different hat. Pontius will present the DC Metro Area with their morning weather report on FOX 5.
Tune in at 8:15 a.m., to see the 2012 MLS All-Star MVP give it a go as a local weatherman. Then join Pontius and the rest of the Black-and-Red on Saturday at RFK when the team hosts Real Salt Lake in the 2013 home opener.
This morning, D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen joined DC 101's Elliot in the Morning show, take a listen:
In a Tuesday afternoon blog post on WashingtonPost.com, the Soccer Insider thinks that only 16,000 fans will pack RFK on Saturday night for D.C. United’s home opener. The Insider called a sell out “ambitious,” but I think fans of the Black-and-Red would beg to differ.
Following a run at the MLS Cup last year, D.C. United sold out two of its final three games and took back RFK, putting together an impressive 18 game unbeaten streak. In the Eastern Conference final, held at RFK on a blustery mid-November night, D.C. United had to open up additional seats for the Black-and-Red faithful to cheer on the team. 20,015 packed the house that night, well-surpassing the set capacity of 19,647.
Yesterday, at the club’s 11th annual United for D.C. Kickoff Luncheon, Head Coach Ben Olsen said that “one of the things I’m most proud of from last year is that we became relevant again in this city and we gave our fans and new fans belief that D.C. is ready to compete again for Championships.”
Despite a snowstorm bearing down on the Greater Washington Region, gametime weather for Saturday is expected to be 55 degrees and sunny – perfect conditions to make a trip to RFK with your family or friends. Click here to buy tickets and prove the Soccer Insider wrong.
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
As in years past, this year, D.C. United Supporters Groups and fans are planning to take over Red Bull Arena. This year, the stakes are higher, the March 16 match will be broadcast live on NBC. All fans are invited, bring your friends and your family, you do not need to have a membership with any specific supporters groups. Full details about the trip below:
D.C. United vs Red Bull New York - Saturday, March 16 - 12:30pm
Screaming Eagles: Travel Information
La Barra Brava: Travel Information
RELATED: That's all you've got, NY?
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...
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.