United Notebook
From around the globe, D.C. United players reflect on 2012 and look forward to 2013.
Happy NY. Thanks to all of you who have supported & may 2013 be filled with health & strength...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) January 1, 2013
Haappy New Year to Everyone!! Let's try n make the world a better place, starting w ourselves!! #Peace&Love
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) January 1, 2013
Happy 2013!!! God Bless Everyone...Feliz 2013!! Deus abençoe a todos ... Grande bjao@ Balneario Camboriu instagr.am/p/T6x6fQvsWy/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) December 31, 2012
One of my fav photos of 2012. After Allstar game with my boy @1dankennedy instagr.am/p/T6qRhJuem7/
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 31, 2012
Thank you to fans and supporters of #DCU. Happy New Year, see you on March 9 at RFK: bit.ly/ZQ0T0M
— D.C. United (@dcunited) January 1, 2013
Despite his teammates not naming him the "Best at FIFA" in this year's superlatives, Bill Hamid is one of D.C. United's FIFA enthusiasts. Recently he sat down with ESPN to talk about his playing style and how being a professional soccer player has helped him become better at the video game.
"You know at certain points when to cross when you see runners going. You know when to bring the keeper out when there’s a breakaway. Being a pro soccer player, you figure those things out easier," explained Hamid. Read the full article on ESPN now.
Yesterday, MLS and adidas unveiled the new official match ball for 2013. The adidas PRIME features a few updates from it's 2012 version, including a slightly new look and upgraded technology.
The updates make the PRIME more water resistant and increasingly more aerodynamic with a cutting-edge panel bonding technique. The ball features a matte finish with slight texture to help with ball control, while changes to the bladder help prevent air and shape loss across all weather conditions.
The PRIME keeps it's traditional MLS colors of green, blue and white, while it also still features the signature of League Commissioner Don Garber. The design change is in the shapes, which were changed to emulate the handles of the Philip F. Anschutz trophy.
D.C. United faces Houston on March 2, 2013 marking their first match with the new ball.
With the holidays upon us, D.C. United players share their travel and celebration plans with fans via Twitter.
Chris Pontius heads back home.
Last day in DC before I head back to Cali for the holidays. Busy busy busy
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 20, 2012
Dwayne De Rosario is looking for the best place to celebrate the New Year. Any suggestions?
Best New Years party destination???
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) December 19, 2012
Dejan Jakovic spends time with family.
It's always nice to be back home with the fam
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 20, 2012
Marcelo Saragosa finds time to enjoy a poolside vacation.
Vacation !!!! instagr.am/p/Ta443rPsZl/
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) December 19, 2012
Today, MLSsoccer.com recapped D.C. United's 2012 campaign in a series of spotlight articles. Below is a highlight video the Black-and-Red's comeback season.
As part of a recent gotsoccer.com contest, Academy brothers Mike and Jack Daunt submitted videos of their tennis ball juggling skills. The brothers have been selected as finalists, and you can vote for them online.
Mike Daunt is part of the D.C. United Academy U-13 squad, while older brother Jack plays for the U-15s. The Academy is on a winter break and will return to action in January. Read all Academy and youth news.
Do you ever wonder what professional athletes do during the offseason? It's easy to keep up with D.C. United players through their Tweets.
For veteran captain Dwayne De Rosario, work never stops. DeRo plays an active role in his winter camp series:
Was real nice to see all the kids at my #derofutbol development & power training session today. Keep up the good work the future is bright!
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) December 8, 2012
Chris Pontius and Perry Kitchen catch up on their favorite TV shows and movies:
Cool runnings on earlier...now Home Alone is on. Becoming best friends with the couch today
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) December 11, 2012
Dexter and Homeland were intense! Season Finales gonna be crazy!
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) December 10, 2012
Dejan Jakovic shares his passion for DC sports:
MNF - playoffs at stake! couldn't have picked a better game to go to! #skins @chrispontius13 @ethanwhite15
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 3, 2012
Wizards playing some good basketball right now vs the Heat
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) December 5, 2012
Brandon McDonald travels visit friends and family:
Arizona bound!!
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) December 10, 2012
Morning view this morning out here in La Jolla, Ca!! #westCoastLiving twitter.com/BMcDonald4/sta…
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 29, 2012
Hello NYC!! #5thAve #AuthenticCubanFood #Sophies #itis twitter.com/BMcDonald4/sta…
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 26, 2012
Bill Hamid and Ethan White keep themselves physically and mentally fit:
Off to training
— Bill Hamid (@BillHamid28) December 13, 2012
Early morning workouts starting today. #leggoo
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) December 5, 2012
MLS announced the 2013 MLS Combine Invite list today. The initial list is comprised of 54 of the top NCAA Division I players from the past season.
Former D.C. United Academy midfielder Uwem Etuk was selected to the list, after a successful collegiate career with West Virginia. Etuk saw time in 75 matches for the Mountaineers, notching eight goals and 18 assists.
In his time with the Academy, Etuk played alongside current United defender Ethan White. Today, White gave a shout out to his former teammate on Twitter:
Good luck to my boy @uetuk10 at the MLS Combine. Former DCU academy teammate. Would love to see our whole U18 team make it.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) December 11, 2012
Yesterday, Grantland.com released their Designated Player: 2012 MLS Awards. In the category of Fans of the Year, they awarded the fans and supporters of the Black-and-Red.
PHOTOS - D.C. United fans at Red Bull Arena
United fans are recognized for their display of loyalty amidst a tough playoff series against New York. A series which saw buses full of D.C. United fans travel not one night, but two nights in a row up to Red Bull Arena in the blistering cold. Since their 1996 inaugural campaign, United has been proud to boast some of the most passionate and supportive fans in all of MLS.
The same article also mentions D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen as a runner-up for Coach of the Year. Olsen lead D.C. to the best home record in the league, and took the team to the playoffs for the first time in five year.
READ: The Designated Player: 2012 MLS Awards
Related
On Friday night the Georgetown Men's Soccer Team made school history when they qualified for the NCAA National Championship match for the first time. The Hoyas battled neighbor school, the University of Maryland to a 4-4 draw in regular-time.
Former D.C. United Academy midfielder Tyler Rudy, a sophomore at Georgetown, played his part with an assist on the first Hoyas goal in the 33rd minute. Eventually the sides would meet for penalty kicks, and Georgetown would come out on top 4-3.
The local boys make their first National Championship appearance this Sunday at 2:00 PM against seven-time National Champions the Indiana Hoosiers. Watch the match on ESPNU or at WatchESPN.com, with commentary by Glenn Davis and Taylor Twellman.