United Notebook
Pablo Sandoval (World Series MVP); Will Chang; Marco Scutaro (NLCS MVP); Gregor Blanco (World Series Gold Glove) are tuned in to United's playoff run
Q&A WITH D.C. UNITED OWNER WILL CHANG
What is it like to win a second World Series?
Will Chang: Just as exciting as the first. In some ways, this time around was more satisfying, because we overcame so much more adversity, surviving six elimination games.
How does it compare to your first title with the Giants?
WC: We had more than one million fans come out to the victory parade in 2010. I was surprised to see just as many fans come out and cheer us on yesterday.
Is there anything you learned during the team's post-season run that you could share with D.C. United?
WC: Hunter Pence inspired the team with an emotional speech and a huddle when our backs were against the wall. We do this in soccer, as well, but this kind of team bonding is rare in baseball, where the focus is more on individual performance. The lesson learned is that “teamwork” is a very powerful weapon.
Do players on the Giants ask you about MLS and D.C. United?
WC: Yes, particularly from our players who are from countries, like Venezuela, where soccer is a big part of their culture. Given our style of play and the iconic players we've fielded throughout the years, many have become avid D.C. United fans.
Knowing you're headed to DC, how excited are you for Saturday’s match?
WC: I am very excited to have D.C. United back in the playoffs and I am really looking forward to being in RFK this Saturday to cheer our boys on. Vamos United!
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Major League Soccer has requested D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls switch home dates in their upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal series. Learn more.
Below D.C. United President and C.E.O. Kevin Payne, Head Coach Ben Olsen, and others react to the decision.
Ben Olsen: "I'm ok with it. There are real issues in NY & NJ. People are suffering. This seemed to be the simplest solution" #dcu #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
Don't mind the change in venue for saturday. Some things are bigger than soccer and NY/NJ have bigger issues than soccer right now
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) October 31, 2012
I understand fans being upset about switch, but really, it's still 2-game series, not best-of-3. People overthinking it. #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
This has to be the right call for #DCU #RBNY and #MLS. What happened this week is way bigger than homefield advantage. Not even close.
— Craig Stouffer (@CraigStouffer) October 31, 2012
Conclusion: schedule change not ideal for either club, necessary evil. #DCU did the admirable, humane thing. It's only soccer. #rbny #mls
— Pablo Maurer (@DCist_Pablo) October 31, 2012
Just wanted to say it is a very classy move by DC United to switch the home games for our series. Incredible gesture. #respect #DCU #RBNY
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) November 1, 2012
Payne: "We worked very hard for home field advantage, but we recognize this is an extraordinary situation" #DCU #Sandy
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Payne: "Anything we can do to help our friends and fellow competitors from NJ in this difficult time we will do." #DCU #Sandy
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Payne: "We know the #DCU fans will rise to the occasion and ensure a great environment on Saturday night" - bit.ly/8XufkD
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Kevin Payne: "This is an extraordinary action, but it’s one we all agree was appropriate." #dcu #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
A summary of tweets from players after clinching second place in the Eastern Conference.
Well done boys @dcunited. Great season, now on to the play-offs...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) October 27, 2012
Can't say enough bout the fight of this team. @billhamid28 @nickdeleon7 throwing their bodies on the line today. Next up New York!
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) October 27, 2012
So happy we had a strong regular season.. MASSIVE team effort this regular season. Lets carry on to playoffs fellas
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) October 27, 2012
Huge road point! Secured 2nd place in the East!!! BIG thanks to the fans who made the trip to chicago to support us!! #playoffs #vamosunited
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) October 27, 2012
Great result!!! Proud of my teammates... Next step playoffs...vamuqvamudcUnited!!!
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) October 27, 2012
Big big point on the road!! Great team effort. Thanks to the fans that made the trip!! #playoffs #vamosunited
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) October 27, 2012
Well done men! We did what we had to do. Now it's playoff time! #vamosunited
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) October 27, 2012
Can't wait to be back at rfk for the playoffs! #blackout
— Conor Shanosky (@ConorShanosky17) October 28, 2012
MLSsoccer.com announced today that it has created an app for Windows 8 users. The app includes live scores and highlights, plus D.C. United and League news.
Fans can download the app at Microsoft.com
This season, D.C. United's Team Store at RFK began customizing new or used official team gear with supporters groups logos for free. Just ahead of the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Team Store has announced that the new Screaming Eagles logo is available.
The Team Store carried a previous version of the logo, but has received an updated look that will be available at upcoming Playoff matches.
NOTES:
- This offer is available only at the Team Store at RFK Stadium, not online.
- Barra Brava has opted not to participate in the program. Barra members should contact their leadership for more information.
- Previously purchased items do not require a receipt, but must be official team gear.
October has been a good month for D.C. United and San Francisco Giants owner Will Chang. Both of his teams are in the post-season. United clinched a spot on Saturday night and, last night, the San Francisco Giants advanced to the World Series with a 9-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 of the NLCS. Obviously, he is thrilled. He shares his thoughts below.
What it is like to have both of your teams in the playoffs?
Will Chang: My dream come true will be to bring home an MLS Cup and a World Series Trophy. It is wonderful experience to have one of your teams in the playoffs, but to have two is indeed very special. Both D.C. United and the Giants have overcome many adversities to get into the postseason.
Will Chang holding the 2010 World Series trophy
When DeRo suffered a season ending injury, many people wrote us off. However, something special happened ... each and every player on our team stepped up and started to play better. That’s what championship teams do….they overcome adversity and succeed! The story about the Giants is similar. When Brian Wilson suffered a season ending injury, many wrote us off. Then we lost Melky Cabrera, again, many said our season was doomed. We lost two of our best players, everyone else stepped up and started to play better.
What was your reaction to Lewis Neal’s goal in the 91st minute?
WC: My first reaction was overwhelming delight. I showed it by screaming as loud as I could. Then the feeling of relief came over me, as I realized that this clinched our playoff berth, after several seasons of disappointment. I am so happy that Lewis scored the game-winning goal, too. It was a beautiful goal, but you also have to give credit to Branko who gave Lewis a perfect pass for an assist. I am also happy for Nick who set a club record for most number of goals by a rookie. There are many great players who started their career at D.C. United, so this is a special honor for him.
If, by chance, United and the Giants play at the same time - how do you follow both games?
WC:Fortunately, the World Series and the MLS Cup will not be played at the same time. During the season, if both teams are playing at the same time, I try to watch the D.C. United game in real time and watch the Giants on TiVo later. I try to impose a news blackout so that I preserve the element of surprise and excitement.
The Blackout is coming. Will you be there? Buy tickets
Following Saturday's important win, DC Mayor Vincent Gray sent a congratulatory tweet to D.C. United for it's berth in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. This year marks United's first post-season appearance since 2007.
Congratulations to DC United for clinching their first MLS playoff birth since 2007 on Saturday night against Columbus. #dcu #vamosunited
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) October 22, 2012
A summary of tweets from players, an owner, and media after clinching a spot in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs.
What a feeling! Playoffs baby! That one was for you fans!
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) October 21, 2012
Unbelievable game and atmosphere tonight. Playoffs!!! Thanks again to all the fans. You've been amazing this season. #dcu #vamosunited
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) October 21, 2012
Great to see DC United back in the playoffs. Congrats to one of my favorite former teammates, Benny Olsen. Job well done sir.
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) October 21, 2012
DC United go MLS playoff first time since 2007. Congrats to all the Fans and thank you for supporting after all this year.
— Erick Thohir (@erickthohir) October 21, 2012
spectacular atmosphere tonight at RFK, for season defining win for @dcunited . Great to have that team, and those fans back in the playoffs.
— Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) October 21, 2012
Something special going on wt my team! #DejaVu Proud of the whole damn group. #Blackout #vamosunited
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) October 21, 2012
What a win! The fans were unreal! Thank you for your support. #vamosunited #playoffs #ontothenextone
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) October 21, 2012
Wow wow wow!!!! What a win!!! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported!!! #playoffs #TOOKbackRFK #vamosunited #UnitedweStand
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) October 21, 2012
Playoffs bound!! Incredible feeling! This is what our fans deserve, what a showing it was tonight!! #dcu #playoffs
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) October 21, 2012
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)
Head Coach Ben Olsen and ten players visited the Nation's Medical Center
On Monday, October 15, Head Coach Ben Olsen, Mike Chabala, Maicon Santos, Bill Hamid, Daniel Woolard, Stephen King, Josh Wolff, Brandon McDonald, Chris Pontius, Robbie Russell and Joe Willis visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. The group toured the facility and met with wounded warriors.
The players shared their experience via Twitter:
What an inspiration! @ the Walter Reed Medical Center visiting wounded soldiers! This guy was amazing! No arms or legs twitter.com/BMcDonald4/sta…
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) October 15, 2012
And he still wakes up w a smile eager to better som1s day!! #trueHeroes! Check him out travismills.org
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) October 15, 2012
Just got back from Walter Reed Medical Center. So grateful for the opportunity to meet some of the TRUE Heroes. Inspiring people
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) October 15, 2012
Us posing with our guides after a humbling experience of meeting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. W instagr.am/p/Q0mSLBom5j/
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) October 15, 2012
With my teammates meeting with Wounded Warriors. Support our troops!Freedom is not free
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) October 15, 2012
Hanging out at Walter Reed with some of my teammates with @usometro. Shout out to Travis, my new inspiration. travismills.org
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) October 15, 2012