Frank de Boer Q&A

With over 300 appearances as a player for AFC Ajax and 100 caps for the Dutch National Team, Frank de Boer knows a thing or two about the beautiful game. De Boer's club recently ended a seven-year Eredivisie title drought last weekend, as Ajax defeated FC Twente to capture a Dutch record 30 First Division titles. The Ajax manager caught up with dcunited.com at this afternoon's Youth Soccer Clinic on D.C. United's training complex, with the Black-and-Red set to face the legendary Amsterdam side on Sunday, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

Frank, how are enjoying being in DC thus far?

It was a long flight, but [DC] is very nice and everything has been well-organized for us. It has been an enjoyable trip so far and we are looking forward to the match. I love this city and I was in the States for the 1994 World Cup - it was beautiful then and it is beautiful and clean now.

Congratulations on a very big win last weekend, tell us about bringing home the Dutch title against FC Twente. 

Yeah, it was unbelievable. It was so wonderful, waiting for that 30th championship was very tough. It was like a curse, and after seven years finally we did it. To win it in front of our supporters was very meaningful, they were so happy and it was a hell of a party [after the match]. 

How has soccer changed in America over the years in your opinion? How has the sport developed since you played in the 1994 World Cup?

It is much more professional, much more organized nowadays. The [infrastructure] was there in 1994, but you can see it has grown since that time, particularly with MLS. Football is still not the biggest sport in the States, but it's getting bigger and better. It takes time to grow the game, but the steps are coming and everything is there for success.

What do you know about D.C. United, and what are your thoughts on Sunday's friendly?

My former assistant Bob de Klerk and my friend Aaron Winter are at Toronto FC, so I already have some information on D.C. United that I have been analyzing. The club did quite well in Toronto in MLS, so I know a little bit about the players and we want to make a nice game, and hopefully the supporters can see a good match. 

NOTES

- 2010 World Cup goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg participated in today's Youth Soccer Clinic, but the Holland netminder is not expected to feature on Sunday, as he continues to recover from injury.

- D.C. United was represented at the clinic by Head Coach Ben Olsen, forward Charlie Davies, midfielders Dax McCarty and Chris Pontius, defender Rodrigo Brasesco, and goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Ajax's Gregory van der Wiel and Demy de Zeeuw accompanied de Boer and Stekelenburg.

- Ajax trained this morning for the first time at RFK, the Dutch champions are expected to do the same on Saturday. The club also recently published its travel roster for Sunday's friendly.