Front Office
DAVE KASPER - GENERAL MANAGER
Dave Kasper joined D.C. United in 2002 and has been instrumental in building a deep, young, and very talented roster at D.C. United that will reap benefits in the long-term. Kasper joined the Black-and-Red after a stint with the New England Revolution where he served as the Director of Business Development. After five years as United’s technical director, he was named the club’s general manager in September 2007.
As the team’s GM, Kasper works closely with the coaching staff in identifying and signing talent, developing a draft strategy, creating closer ties to foreign club teams and managing all player transactions. He also oversees the direction of the club’s youth development efforts including, the D.C. United Academy and camp program.
Under Kasper’s watch, United captured the 2004 MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shields (2006, 2007) and the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. During his 11-year tenure dating back to 2002, United has been to the playoffs an impressive six times.
Kasper has been responsible for numerous signings and trades that have helped the Black-and-Red develop into an Eastern Conference powerhouse. Kasper was an integral part of bringing in high-level talent like 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario and Brandon McDonald, who broke the all-time minutes record for D.C. United in 2012. In 2012, Kasper also re-signed two of D.C. United most talented players in midfielder Chris Pontius and defender Dejan Jakovic, inking them both to long-term deals.
Kasper has also been largely responsible for one of the strongest Academy systems in Major League Soccer, bringing five Virginia and Maryland natives (Andy Najar, Bill Hamid, Ethan White, Conor Shanosky and Michael Seaton) through the ranks to First Team action. Najar also became MLS’s first homegrown player to permanently move to a European side when R.S.C. Anderlecht of Belgium signed him in January of 2013.
In placing an emphasis on young talent to build a team, United has seen four Rookie of the Year candidates in as many consecutive seasons, with Homegrown talent Andy Najar winning in 2010. Pontius (2009 finalist), Perry Kitchen (2011 finalist) and Nick DeLeon (2012 finalist) are all first-round SuperDraft selections out of college that made an immediate impact in their respective inaugural MLS campaigns.
Kasper has a wide variety of soccer experience as a player, coach and front office executive. During his playing career, Kasper was a standout forward at the University of Maryland, earning All-ACC honors while also serving as a member of the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team. He played professionally for the Milwaukee Wave (1989-90) and the Pittsburgh Stingers (1990-94) and transitioned into Duquesne University’s first-ever men’s soccer coach in 1994. In 1998, Kasper was hired as the first vice president and general manager of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-1). The following year, Kasper led the organization to the playoffs and to Organization of the Year honors.
Kasper lives in Ashburn, Va., with his wife, Lizzethe, and daughters, Alexandra and Isabella.