Team
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!
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
Twelve years ago yesterday marks a special day in history for the United States Men’s National Team—especially for D.C. United’s own assistant coach Josh Wolff. On February 28, 2012, the USMNT beat Mexico in a World Cup qualifying match in Columbus, Ohio. Entering the game for a black-eyed Brian McBride, then 24-year-old Wolff entered the match eleven minutes in. Then an injured captain Claudio Reyna subbed out towards the end of the first half, giving an opportunity to then New York MetroStar Clint Mathis. Just four minutes later, Mathis hit a long ball over the Mexican back line—a long ball Josh Wolff timed perfectly. Winning the footrace against Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos, Wolff slipped the ball into the empty net and immediately celebrated. Wolff’s contributions didn’t end there. With three minutes left in regulation, he spun a Mexico defender and escaped a double team. Wolff dribbled down the goal line, picked up his head, and slot the ball back for an open Earnie Stewart to calmly finish. The USMNT emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Mexico, bringing glory to the fans in the stadium that day in Columbus, Ohio, USMNT supporters, and Americans everywhere.
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.
Did you watch The Late Show with David Letterman last night? If so, you would have seen Imagine Dragons, an indie rock band out of Las Vegas Nevada. The band is on tour, promoting their debut album Night Visions. After an afternoon taping session in New York City, the group headed south to Silver Spring, Maryland for their show at The Fillmore. After the show, D.C. United was proud to present the band members each with an authentic D.C. United jersey, while we all watched the remainder of The Late Show backstage.
D.C. United would like to send a special thanks to the band, as well as Live Nation and The Fillmore for a great performance and for the support of the Black-and-Red.
WATCH: The Late Show with David Letterman - Full Episode: February 22, 2013 or Imagine Dragon's performance on The Late Show below:
Captain Dwayne De Rosario is ready for some fun in the sun.
Couple days off! Time relax soak up the sun & kick the feet up. Long @mlssoccer season ahead...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 16, 2013
DeRo also took in the NBA All-Star Game.
Tip off we on! #nbaallstar game instagr.am/p/V2siEvgDtX/
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 18, 2013
Homegrown goalkeeper Bill Hamid ran into UFC fighter Rashad Evans.
Saw @sugarashadevans shopping in Miami. Big fan. Nuff Respect twitter.com/BillHamid28/st…
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 18, 2013
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa is excited to see Miami...
#Miami Here we go #miamibeach #tags #sun #beach #tagsforlikes @ Miami Beach instagr.am/p/V0LWdkvsaq/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 17, 2013
...and shows us a little bit of paradise.
.... @ Miami Beach instagr.am/p/V1sZKFPsUV/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 17, 2013
Defender Daniel Woolard spent the day at Disney with his other half.
Much needed day off spent at Disney World with the wife! twitter.com/Woolard21/stat…
— Daniel Woolard (@Woolard21) February 18, 2013
United captain Dwayne De Rosario takes the positives from the 4-0 rout.
Great play from the boys tnite. Still got work to do as we prepare for season but nice to be back with the guys playing! @dcunited
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 10, 2013
Defender Ethan White marvels at former Maryland teammate Taylor Kemp's finishing skills.
Well done from the boys tonight. Didn't know @tkemp02 knew what to do in front of goal. One to the next one. #dcu #tchub
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 10, 2013
Kemp sets him straight.
@ethanwhite15 Probably haven't been that close to an opposing team's goal since '92, but it's like riding a bike
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 10, 2013
Kemp and MLSsoccer.com's Jason Saghini go back and forth on Kemp's two goals.
@jasonsaghini lets just say my thought running up to the first one was "if I miss this I might as well hang up the boots for good"
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 10, 2013
16-year-old Homegrown product Michael Seaton thinks he should have scored, but likes the result.
Great win #DCU4-0 ,should of scored but oh well we still won and that's all that matters
— Jamaican (@MichaelSeatonn) February 10, 2013
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid keeps it short and sweet.
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 10, 2013
White still loves Hamid's catchphrase.
Typing "TCHUB" in my phone still cracks me up. Haha @billhamid28
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 10, 2013
Homegrown player Conor Shanosky, who went on loan to the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers last year, likes defeating a familiar foe.
Good to beat tampa bay rowdies again @flight_19 @ftlstrikers
— Conor Shanosky (@ConorShanosky17) February 10, 2013
Last month D.C. United received a very special email from a family in Florida. The family, and particularly their youngest daughter Brooke, are diehard D.C. United fans, despite living almost 1000 miles from Washington DC. When they heard the news that the Black-and-Red would be playing in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, they made plans to travel to Orlando for the first match versus the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Following the match, D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen surprised Brooke with a quick visit at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The young fan told Kitchen that he shared the same number as her, and was therefore her favorite player on the team.
Thank you to Brooke and all of the D.C. United supporters who made it out to Orlando for the match!
Captain Dwayne De Rosario is ready for the eight-team pre-season tournament.
Just arrived into Orlando for #disney showcase tournament starting Sat. @dcunited
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 7, 2013
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa takes a selfie from the plane, with a photobomb by fellow Brazilian Raphael Augusto.
Eu e o Mlkii rphaugusto...#Florida# #Orlando# Here we go Again# #PreSeason# @ Ronald Reagan Washington… instagr.am/p/Vbm_1xvsVk/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) February 7, 2013
First round SuperDraft pick and Colorado native Taylor Kemp is excited to escape to warmer climates.
Back to florida tomorrow, can't say I'm upset to hit the warm weather again #lifeisgood
— Taylor Kemp (@Tkemp02) February 7, 2013
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid made it safe and sound.
Landed in Orlando
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) February 7, 2013
Defender Daniel Woolard is ready to train down south.
Back in FL for the last trip of preseason.
— Daniel Woolard (@Woolard21) February 7, 2013
Defender Ethan White spent time with family before departing again.
Dinner date my momma before I depart for preseason trip number 2 to Orlando.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 7, 2013
Trialist Henry Kalungi is excited for his opportunity in Orlando.
Just landed in Orlando for preseason with Dc United:)
— Henry Kalungi (@HenryKalungi) February 7, 2013
United captain Dwayne De Rosario is catching both fútbol and football today.
Got my tele on @futbol @mancity vs @liverpool & got to squeeze in @fcbarcelonafl then @superbowlsunday couch potato today and not moving!
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 3, 2013
DeRo also wonders where all the Baltimore fans are in his feed.
Damn a lot of #49ers fans! We're all my #Ravens peeps at...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) February 3, 2013
Midfielder Perry Kitchen is taking predictions.
SuperSunday! Who ya got?? #SuperBowlSunday
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) February 3, 2013
Defender Brandon McDonald's loyalties are split.
Win win for me today! 9rs all day long, but to see Ray Lewis go out on top, wouldn't mind that either!! #PureBeast #LivingLegend #BayArea
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) February 3, 2013
Defender Ethan White hopes to make it back to D.C. in time.
A lot to do today before the Super Bowl and heading back to DC tonight. Starting off with brunch.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) February 3, 2013