United Notebook
Ahead of D.C. United's matchup with Montreal Impact (Saturday, August 3 - 7:30 PM - BUY TICKETS) we present to you a #TBT photo of United midfielder Sainey Nyassi and twin brother, Impact midfielder Sanna.
Enjoy!
Shawn Kuykendall, former D.C. United player and Fairfax, Virginia native, was diagnosed with Thymic cancer this June. After low grade fevers, fatigue and an original diagnosis of Lyme disease, a mass was found in Shawn's chest. Although there is no cure for Thymic cancer, the doctors caught it before it spread to his bone marrow, making it easier to treat with chemo. An expert at the Lombardi Center at Georgetown Hospital has found irregularities in Shawn's blood cells that don't necessarily fit the diagnosis of Thymic cancer. But in the meantime, Shawn has received two rounds of chemo, the most recent round was just three days ago.
Shawn was a assistant coach at American University as well as a youth soccer coach. His youth players are hosting a "juggle-a-thon" for their coach, for which you can find information for on #Kuykenstrong, a blog that keeps friends and family updated on Shawn's progress. Shawn is forever part of the D.C. United family. Let's show our support during this trying time for the entire Kuykendall family and help him win this fight.
P.S. Check out the "Step up to Christmas" video for some stellar dance moves!
In today's Local section of the Washington Post, the paper gives fans and supporters an opportunity to voice their opinion about D.C. United's new stadium plans. The question posed is, "Should D.C. United and the city agree to build a stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest D.C.?" As of now, the overwhelming majority (86%) has voted yes. While we await a council vote, the Post is providing fans and residents a place to let their voices be heard.
Check out the poll and comments section for yourself here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-united-stadium-make-your-case/2013/07/24/8a8a0366-f3ae-11e2-a2f1-a7acf9bd5d3a_page.html
When D.C. United takes the field for tonight’s game against the New England Revolution, the team will be doing so on a fresh pitch. The re-sodding process began two weeks ago following United’s international friendly against Chivas de Guadalajara, and a maintenance crew has been working around the clock to install the new turf.
Workers began the process by stripping the old grass and delivering approximately 18 truckloads of fresh sod from North Carolina. The specialized crew, who also traveled from North Carolina, started laying out the grass early last week during long shifts in the D.C. heat. They rolled out the final piece of sod last Friday, giving the field about a week for the roots to take hold and grow into a playable pitch. Compared to past re-soddings, this year’s crew had one less week to grow the field, but players seemed pleased with the pitch during Friday morning’s training session at RFK Stadium.
Before D.C. United kicks off its game against the New England Revolution, fans at RFK Stadium will be treated to a special rendition of the national anthem from Lissette Escobar of Montgomery County. The recent graduate of Richard Montgomery High School has been a member of the Madrigal Choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and even had the opportunity to sing Mass in the Vatican during a school trip to Italy. A long-time fan of D.C. United, Escobar also had an active role in her high school with activities ranging from student government to cheerleading, in addition to membership with the Girl Scouts. This fall, she will attend Catholic University to study economics.
Click here to read Romantica’s full profile of Escobar.
NEWS: This is huge. @DCUnited formally announce long-awaited stadium plans: http://t.co/w3xvBtaV7d pic.twitter.com/YsigqYYLz3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 25, 2013
Column: When I first saw the @dcunited stadium architectural plans Monday, my heart skipped a beat. http://t.co/Kn20rBnv4l
— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) July 25, 2013
#DCU Supporters celebrate Stadium Announcement @ScreamingEagles @Barra_Brava @DistrictUltrasX @LaNorte128 @echa_panza pic.twitter.com/9C3ZrTcYji
— ScreamingEagles (@ScreamingEagles) July 25, 2013
Christmas in July #dcu #newstadium http://t.co/Ike0r2k84t
— Petar D. (@petardimmy) July 25, 2013
Really happy for those connected to #DCU today, but especially happy for the supporters. They deserve this. Get it done, @mayorvincegray.
— Kyle Sheldon (@kylesheldon) July 25, 2013
Can't wait to break ground! Announced this morning by the mayor, #DCU is going to get their new home!!! pic.twitter.com/u3s1Wf2vvF
— JeremyMikell (@JeremyMikell) July 25, 2013
Thank you @JasonLevien and @mayorvincegray and EVERYone for your efforts to give @dcunited the home it should have! #VamosUnited
— Elayne C. Burke (@chatelainedc) July 25, 2013
Crash course in how the deal is going to work, with @TommyWells: http://t.co/o9H6hBsufT via @blackandredu #dcu #dcustadium #dcutalk
— ben (@beardyblue) July 25, 2013
Couldn't be happier for our supporters today. They deserve this stadium more than anyone. #vamosunited
— Daniel Woolard (@Woolard21) July 25, 2013
Fantastic news about the stadium! So many supporters, staff, and players have waited a long time for this and couldn't be happier for them
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) July 25, 2013
I have to go to @dcunited home opener in the new stadium. Can't wait!
— Chris Bush (@CBush14) July 25, 2013
It's ours!!! #DCU #TCHUB pic.twitter.com/9NqdLQ1gyX
— Zach Steinberg (@zsteiny13) July 25, 2013
Nationals statement: "We look forward to welcoming D.C. United to the neighborhood.” #dcu
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 25, 2013
(Shanosky's goal starts around 1:58)
Conor Shanosky headed home a free kick to put Richmond up 2-0 over Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves; the final score was 2-1.
@ConorShanosky17 scores for undefeated @RichmondKickers #dcu
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 24, 2013
63' RICHMOND KICKERS GOAL! CONOR SHANOSKY heads in a Nate Robinson free kick! Richmond leading 2:0! #GoKickers
— Richmond Kickers (@RichmondKickers) July 24, 2013
Collin Martin earned his first professional start!
Congrats @martcw12 on your first professional start tonight! Good luck, hope to see you in the first XI soon! #dcu
— ben (@beardyblue) July 23, 2013
Additionally, all four DCU loanees on the West Coast trip started the match for the Kickers.
#DCU loaners Dykstra, Shanosky, Martin and Seaton starting for @RichmondKickers at Vancouver Whitecaps reserves in #USLPro match
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 23, 2013
Last Sunday, the United States Men's National Team beat El Salvador in Baltimore. While D.C. United's Bill Hamid was training with the squad at M&T Bank Stadium, he "payed homage" to Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Lucky for us, Brek Shea caught it all on camera!
@billhamid28 payin' homage to the legend that is Ray Lewis in the ravens stadium http://t.co/iwwf23j8Ip
— Brek Shea (@BrekShea) July 22, 2013
Good luck to Bill Hamid and the rest of the USMNT tonight against Honduras at Cowboys Stadium.