United Notebook
Pontius, DeLeon, Hamid and Kitchen all ascend December’s list after impressive MLS Cup playoff appearances
Chris Pontius, Nick DeLeon, Bill Hamid and Perry Kitchen all increased their player ratings from November to December in American Soccer Now’s (ASN) 100. Voted on by the likes of former U.S. Men’s National Team players (USMNT) – Jimmy Conrad, Alexi Lalas and Kyle Martino – as well as members of the soccer media, such as Grant Wahl, Jason Davis and Brian Sciaretta, among others, the list ranks the American player pool from 1-100.
Moving up three spots to #22, Pontius looks prime to earn a spot in the USMNT’s upcoming January camp. In the biggest Black-and-Red jump for the month, DeLeon catapulted 11 spots to #50. The rookie had two goals in the MLS playoffs – United’s first post-season appearance since 2007 – including the game-winner against the New York Red Bulls in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Hamid shows up not far behind, at #52 (up two spots from November), jumping ahead of Chicago Fire netminder Sean Johnson. And 20-year-old Perry Kitchen continues his gradual ascend, climbing six spots up to #64.
The next USMNT camp will occur on Jan. 14, and will include no more than 23 players. Typically pooling from MLS and players in the Scandinavian leagues, DeLeon, Hamid, Kitchen and Pontius could very well be in the mix. Immediately following this camp (and a possible friendly), Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann will select the roster that will kickstart the Hexagonal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying on Feb. 6 against Honduras.
Give the gift of soccer this holiday season!
Holiday shopping can be a hassle. Avoid crowds and stress by shopping with D.C. United. We have great gifts for your family, someone special, or if you want to treat yourself.
Gift certificates: If you would like to give someone tickets to a D.C. United match, but are not sure of his/her schedule, consider buying a ticket plan gift certificate. Our ticket plans range from 18 matches to 4 matches and are perfect for all types of soccer fans. Contact our Customer Service Team to order a gift certificate. Call 202-587-5467 to send a message to dcucustomerservice@dcunited.com
Gift pack: The holiday pack includes four of the biggest matches of the 2013 season, and a D.C. United ornament. More information
Contact our Customer Service Team and we can help you create a gift pack you wrap up as a present. (Buy some D.C. United gift wrap in the Team Store to make it extra special.) Call 202-587-5467 to send a message to dcucustomerservice@dcunited.com
RELATED: D.C. United holiday gear, ornaments, and more at dcuteamstore.com
Today, the Canadian Soccer Association announced the list of nominees for the BMO Canadian Players of the Year Award. Among the list was D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. The award will be voted on by Canadian media and coaches.
De Rosario appeared in five matches for the Canadian National Team in 2012, notching one goal, a game-winner over Panama in World Cup Qualifying. With 71 total appearances and 20 goals, De Rosario is Canada's all-time leading goal scorer.
2012 BMO Canadian Player of the Year nominees:
- Patrice Bernier | CAN / Impact Montréal / Brossard, QC
- Julian de Guzman | USA / FC Dallas / Scarborough, ON
- Dwayne De Rosario | USA / DC United | Scarborough, ON
- André Hainault | USA / Houston Dynamo | Hudson, QC
- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball | Edmonton, AB
- Atiba Hutchinson | NED / PSV Eindhoven | Brampton, ON
- Kevin McKenna | GER / FC Köln | Calgary, AB
- Olivier Occean | GER / Eintracht Frankfurt | Brossard, QC
- other selection/ autre
On the heels of the announcement that D.C. United and midfielder Branko Boskovic would part ways, fans of the club took to Twitter to share their gratitude for all that the Montenegrin has done for the Black-and-Red.
.@dcunited Please pass along best wishes to Branko and his family in dealing with his personal matters. He will be missed by #dcu faithful.
— ben (@beardyblue) November 21, 2012
Farwell to @dcunited player Branko Boskovic. He will be missed and I wish him the best in his future endeavors #DCU
— James Armold (@armoldjp) November 21, 2012
@dcunited he deserves to go out with his head held high. He's done so much for the club! Thoughts are with him and his family. #OlsensArmy
— Anne Gustaveson (@annegusgirl) November 21, 2012
More credit to Boscovic: With issues back home, he never played like his thoughts were elsewhere. A true professional. #DCU
— Kim Kolb (@NestDevil09) November 21, 2012
Say what you want about Branko, but when DeRo went down, if he wasn't here, we would not have made the playoffs, best of luck to him #DCU
— DCUparagon (@DCUparagon) November 21, 2012
Branko Branko Branko Boskovic! Brankooo... Boskovic! Thanks for the memories, esp the diving header.@dcunited
— The Ferbear (@FerToTheBear) November 21, 2012
Branko, one of my favorites. KILLER precision on FKs. Brought tempo to the game. #DCU forever in my heart. @dcunited
— Steven (@Morocco_Mole) November 21, 2012
@dcunited he deserves to go out with his head held high. He's done so much for the club! Thoughts are with him and his family. #OlsensArmy
— Anne Gustaveson (@annegusgirl) November 21, 2012
@dcunited Thank you Branko. My best to you and your family.
— julius (@itwasi) November 21, 2012
@dcunited Good luck to Branko.His time here wasn't perfect, but he hung in there through a lot and will be remembered fondly.
— Don Mayer (@Brashnir) November 21, 2012
On Monday evening, D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen sat courtside with his fiance at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. The Indiana native was in attendance to watch the Washington Wizards versus the Indiana Pacers game. (Photos by Jose Argueta)
Perry Kitchen
Chris Singleton of the Washington Wizards
Perry Kitchen with his fiancée
DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray has been a vocal supporter of D.C. United during the 2012 MLS Cup Playoff run. Today, he congratulated the team on a successful season.
Tough loss on aggregate for @dcunited yesterday.Congratulations on a great season w/ a return to playoff form! #vamosunited @conventionsdc
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) November 19, 2012
Major League Soccer today announced that Chicago Fire defender Austin Berry is the 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year. D.C. United midfielder Nick DeLeon finished second in the voting.
DeLeon played in 28 matches (25 starts) is his first professional season and broke the club's rookie goal-scoring record with six goals. The talented winger also scored two goals in four matches during the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs.
DeLeon is United's fourth consecutive MLS Rookie of the Year finalist. He is the third player to come in second (Pontius - 2009, Kitchen - 2011). Andy Najar won the award in 2010.
Below is a breakdown of the voting:
| PLAYER | % CLUB VOTES | % MEDIA VOTES | % PLAYER VOTES | WEIGHTED TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Berry (CHI) | 51.79 | 56.92 | 31.96 | 140.67 |
| Nick DeLeon (DC) | 25 | 26.15 | 22.68 | 73.83 |
| Darren Mattocks (VAN) | 7.14 | 4.62 | 14.43 | 26.19 |
| Luis Silva (TOR) | 10.71 | 1.54 | 7.22 | 18.93 |
| Connor Lade (NY) | 0 | 1.54 | 7.22 | 8.76 |
Thanks again for a fantastic season to all our fans & supporter groups #vamosunited very proud to captain this team. Felt good to be back...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 19, 2012
great season, fans the atmosphere tonight was a memorable one. Thank you very much. Bright future we have.
— Nick DeLeon(@NickDeLeon7) November 19, 2012
A pleasure to play in front of the #DCU fans again this year. We had a good run and I'm proud of the guys. #family
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 19, 2012
Want to thank ALL the fans for this whole season. You guys were unbelievable! This team was incredible and always fought #veryproud #DCU
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) November 19, 2012
I want say thanks to all our DcUnited fans, YOU guys are great, Very proud of My Teammates,Love play for this Club....
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) November 19, 2012
Campers at the Dero Development and Power Training camp in Ontario are cheering for United
D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario holds soccer clinics in Toronto throughout the year. Players at a recent camp sent in the above mobile phone video wishing DeRo good luck ahead of Sunday's decisive Eastern Conference Final match. Learn more on DeRoUnited.com
DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray took to Twitter on Friday evening to tell reporters he would not be able to attended Sunday's Eastern Conference Final, but that we was still rooting for United.
@mikemadden @oconnellpostbiz @dcunited Agreed - hoping for lots of goals on Sunday and maybe a De Rosario appearance.
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) November 16, 2012
@oconnellpostbiz @mikemadden @dcunited The team graciously invited me, but I have a personal commitment and can't make it. #VamosUnited!
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) November 16, 2012