United Notebook
Over 500 D.C. United fans expected to attend tonight's match at Red Bull Arena.
D.C. United, in partnership with Major League Soccer and the New York Red Bulls, provided free busses and match tickets to United supporters for the team's second leg match versus the Red Bulls. Over 500 fans signed up for the mid-week trek north to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
Leaders from the Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava, La Norte, and District Ultras helped spread the word and organize the trip.
Busses left from RFK Stadium, Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Arlington, VA, New Carrollton Metro Station in Maryland, and White Marsh Park & Ride in Maryland.
Everyone at D.C. United wishes the fans safe travels. Bring back a win!
#DCU is on the move. I repeat, #DCU is on the move.
— M. (@melly2508) November 7, 2012
Headed to RedBulls Arena 6 buses deep! Let's goooo #dcu #VamosUnited
— Meg Arby (@arby_26) November 7, 2012
Thank you @dcunited! Busses just left RFK, destination Red Bull Arena.
— David Struyk (@DStruyk) November 7, 2012
Let's go! Ready for the bus ride up to NYRB. #DCU twitter.com/armoldjp/statu…
— James Armold (@armoldjp) November 7, 2012
A group of fans prepares to board the busses leaving from RFK Stadium.
Special thanks to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center who lit up the night in support of D.C. United as MLS Cup Playoffs continue for the Black-and-Red. Photos by Kea Taylor/Convention Center
D.C. United visits the Red Bulls in leg 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight at 8:00 PM on NBC Sports Network.
Loving the responses im getting about the fans traveling up for the game!!! Rain sleet or snow doesnt matter!! Love these fans!!!! #BLACKOUT
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 6, 2012
Dwayne De Rosario may not be playing in the matches for D.C. United, but he is still a big part of the team. Below is a nice exchange between DeRo and his teammates.
Congrats to @brandonmcdonald for DC defender of the year, well deserved & to @marcelosaragosa for coaches pick & @chrispontius13 team MVP :)
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 5, 2012
@dwaynederosario thanks Brother
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) November 5, 2012
@dwaynederosario @brandonmcdonald @marcelosaragosa @chrispontius13 preciate it big man! Let's get u back on the pitch huh!!
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 6, 2012
@dwaynederosario appreciate it boss. Repeating what @bmcdonald4 said, lets get you back out on the field
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 6, 2012
@marcelosaragosa well deserved my man
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 5, 2012
@chrispontius13 well deserved kid.
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 6, 2012
A summary of tweets from players after United's 1-1 draw with New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Proud of the boys tnite. Keep it moving @dcunited next game Wed. In NY...
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 4, 2012
Need to do better with my pk. But once again the team showed fight and character. Gotta go get a win in NY now. Vamos
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 4, 2012
Focus is all on Wednesday now. Thanks to all the fans for the unreal support. Gotta rest and get the body right before then
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 4, 2012
Awesome atmosphere tonight! Great effort tonight. A huge 90 minutes in NY on Wednesday. Thanks to our great fans. #vamosunited #playoffs
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) November 4, 2012
Now we just have to go handle business in NY!! To all of u who came out & supported all I have to say is #WOW!!! What a atmosphere!! #VAMOS
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 4, 2012
We never expected to get any help, so not surprised by tonight. Proud of the guys & can't wait for Wednesday night in NYC! #Vamos #playoffs
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) November 4, 2012
Recover, regroup, and get our minds focused on Wed. The atmosphere was incredible, thanks for all the support! #dcu #blackout #vamosunited
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) November 4, 2012
This evening, the Newseum lit up Pennsylvania Avenue in preparation for Saturday's home playoff match versus the New York Red Bulls. A special thank you to our friends at the Newseum for the support. Photos by Maria Bryk/Newseum.
D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls - RFK Stadium, Saturday, November 3 at 8:00 PM
Buy tickets
A special thank you to our friends at Miller & Long Concrete Construction for displaying D.C. United banners on two of their tower cranes located in D.C.
MLS Cup Playoffs: D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls, this Saturday (11/3) at RFK Stadium. BUY TICKETS
Local sports teams, athletes, and businesses send messages of luck to D.C. United as it prepares for its first MLS Cup Playoff match in five years. Thank you for all of the support. Stand up 4 DC.
Tonight the Newseum glows red for D.C. United as the team prepares for the Red Bulls for the MLS Eastern... fb.me/2qcHebIV6
— Newseum (@Newseum) November 3, 2012
Good luck to our friends at @dcunited in the #MLSPlayoffs this weekend! #BLACKOUT #StandUp4DC
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 1, 2012
Good luck to our friends at @dcunited in the #MLSPlayoffs this weekend! #BLACKOUT #StandUp4DC
— Washington Capitals (@washcaps) November 1, 2012
Good luck to our friends at @dcunited in the #MLSPlayoffs as they #BLACKOUT RFK this Saturday! bit.ly/TU4Bxe #StandUp4DC
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) November 1, 2012
#StandUp4DC RT @iandesmond20: RT @dc_beast38: Good luck coach #ben Olsen and the whole #dcunited team
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) November 1, 2012
Good luck to @dcunited as they take on New York in the MLS Cup Playoffs Saturday, 8pm at RFK! #StandUp4DC
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) November 2, 2012
Alright everybody it's time to support @dcunited this Saturday at RFK. First game of the playoffs is a #BlackOut. Ill be there! #StandUp4DC
— Nick Sundberg (@NickSundberg) November 1, 2012
Good luck coach #ben Olsen and the whole #dcunited team
— Michael Morse (@Dc_BEAST38) November 1, 2012
Can't wait to see @dcunited Saturday at RFK aka 'The Pitch.' 1st game of the playoffs is a #BlackOut. #StandUp4DC @nicksundberg @redskins
— Eric Kettani (@EricKettani) November 1, 2012
Hey look! It's D.C. United in our logo! bit.ly/Ruizca
— DCist (@dcist) November 1, 2012
We want to wish the best of luck to @dcunited as they play in the first round of the @mls playoffs this Saturday! twitter.com/DCWarnerTheatr…
— Warner Theatre (@DCWarnerTheatre) November 1, 2012
@mikemadden @dcunited I'll be there - excited to see another DC team in the playoffs #vamosunited
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) November 2, 2012
Pablo Sandoval (World Series MVP); Will Chang; Marco Scutaro (NLCS MVP); Gregor Blanco (World Series Gold Glove) are tuned in to United's playoff run
Q&A WITH D.C. UNITED OWNER WILL CHANG
What is it like to win a second World Series?
Will Chang: Just as exciting as the first. In some ways, this time around was more satisfying, because we overcame so much more adversity, surviving six elimination games.
How does it compare to your first title with the Giants?
WC: We had more than one million fans come out to the victory parade in 2010. I was surprised to see just as many fans come out and cheer us on yesterday.
Is there anything you learned during the team's post-season run that you could share with D.C. United?
WC: Hunter Pence inspired the team with an emotional speech and a huddle when our backs were against the wall. We do this in soccer, as well, but this kind of team bonding is rare in baseball, where the focus is more on individual performance. The lesson learned is that “teamwork” is a very powerful weapon.
Do players on the Giants ask you about MLS and D.C. United?
WC: Yes, particularly from our players who are from countries, like Venezuela, where soccer is a big part of their culture. Given our style of play and the iconic players we've fielded throughout the years, many have become avid D.C. United fans.
Knowing you're headed to DC, how excited are you for Saturday’s match?
WC: I am very excited to have D.C. United back in the playoffs and I am really looking forward to being in RFK this Saturday to cheer our boys on. Vamos United!
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Major League Soccer has requested D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls switch home dates in their upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal series. Learn more.
Below D.C. United President and C.E.O. Kevin Payne, Head Coach Ben Olsen, and others react to the decision.
Ben Olsen: "I'm ok with it. There are real issues in NY & NJ. People are suffering. This seemed to be the simplest solution" #dcu #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
Don't mind the change in venue for saturday. Some things are bigger than soccer and NY/NJ have bigger issues than soccer right now
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) October 31, 2012
I understand fans being upset about switch, but really, it's still 2-game series, not best-of-3. People overthinking it. #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
This has to be the right call for #DCU #RBNY and #MLS. What happened this week is way bigger than homefield advantage. Not even close.
— Craig Stouffer (@CraigStouffer) October 31, 2012
Conclusion: schedule change not ideal for either club, necessary evil. #DCU did the admirable, humane thing. It's only soccer. #rbny #mls
— Pablo Maurer (@DCist_Pablo) October 31, 2012
Just wanted to say it is a very classy move by DC United to switch the home games for our series. Incredible gesture. #respect #DCU #RBNY
— Dax McCarty (@DaxMcCarty11) November 1, 2012
Payne: "We worked very hard for home field advantage, but we recognize this is an extraordinary situation" #DCU #Sandy
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Payne: "Anything we can do to help our friends and fellow competitors from NJ in this difficult time we will do." #DCU #Sandy
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Payne: "We know the #DCU fans will rise to the occasion and ensure a great environment on Saturday night" - bit.ly/8XufkD
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 31, 2012
Kevin Payne: "This is an extraordinary action, but it’s one we all agree was appropriate." #dcu #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 31, 2012
