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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
D.C. United's mission of "winning championships and serving the community" isn't only for the first team. On Sunday, October 14, D.C. United Academy players, coaches, and parents participated in the Acumen Solution's 8K Race for a Cause in Arlington, VA. The race helped raise money for United for D.C. - the club's charitable arm.
Forty-five players from United's U-14, U-15, and U-16 teams ran with 15 coaches and parent plus the events hundreds of other participants. D.C. United front office staff also participated.
Most of the Academy players were sleepy and chilly at the start of the race (see above), but they warmed up during the run and enjoyed representing the Black-and-Red and a community event.
New Director of Youth Development, Sonny Silooy, finished first among the Academy coaches. And, as the photo on the right suggests, he was pretty happy about it.
A lucky fan has won the same watch
Breitling Superocean Chronograph 2000M
For the second year in a row, Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers has sponsored dcunited.com's Man of the Match voting. As part of the promotion, Lenkersdorfer generously provides a new Breitling Superocean Chronograph 2000M (retail value: $4,845.00) to both the D.C. United player that wins the most Man of the Match awards and to a fan that voted for Man of the Match and is selected in a random drawing.
PLAYER WINNER
Chris Pontius is having a career season and fans noticed. United's midfield/forward was named Pontius the Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers Man of the Match seven times this season. We will be awarded the new Breitling watch before the regular season finale on October 20. MLS Rookie of the Year candidate Nick DeLeon was second with four Man of the Match awards.
FAN WINNER
Chris Pontius isn't the person in the Washington region that will be sporting a new watch on his wrist. Christopher L. from Manassas, VA won the sweepstakes drawing. He'll receive his watch before Saturday's match as well.
Players share their love of reading with online students
After training today, Dwayne De Rosario and Perry Kitchen took a moment to participate in an online education event with K12.com. DeRo read “Froggy Plays Soccer” while Perry read “Splat!: The Colorful Cat” to some local students while the session was recorded for online use. Below are photos from the event.
A summary of tweets from players after Saturday's match in Toronto. D.C. United defeated Toronto FC 1-0 thanks to Hamdi Salihi's goal in the 88th minute.
Not the pretty but well def take that. Big 3 points #dcu
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) October 6, 2012
Fantastic 1-0 win today.. Great result heading into the international break
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) October 6, 2012
MASSIVE win for the club today! Strong effort from everyone 2nite!! BIG thanks to those who made the trip up 2day!! #vamosunited
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) October 6, 2012
Massive 3 points this afternoon! Very ugly game but proud of the effort today. #vamosunited
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) October 6, 2012
3 points all count the same. Big time effort today and by those who traveled to support. #vamosunited
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) October 6, 2012
YOU TELL US: What did you think of the result?
Who would win a race between Talon and the Nationals' mascot Teddy?
It is a year of firsts for the Washington Nationals. 2012 marks the first time the Nationals have made it to the postseason, the first time they have won the NL East (and first for a baseball team in DC since 1933), and the first time Teddy won the President's Race.
For a few hours this afternoon, social media was buzzing about Teddy's win. All the talk about racing mascots made us wonder, who is the fastest mascot in DC? Is Talon faster than Teddy?
YOU TELL US: Who would win a race between Teddy and Talon?
A look at some of the stories from D.C. United 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 29.
- Pontius scores first, but Dike answers as DC and Portland share points (dcunited.com)
- DC United not perfect, but happy with improving road form (mlssoccer.com)
- A shaky penalty kick decision in Portland; D.C. United benefits (NBC Sports)
- Pontius scores in United’s 1-1 tie at Portland (washingtonpost.com)
- Postgame observations: D.C. United 1, Portland 1 (washingtontimes.com)