Julius James

MLS Experience

2010: In his first full season with United after coming to D.C. via a 2009 mid-season trade with the Houston Dynamo, James logged the most minutes (1,682) of any defender on the squad. The Trinidad & Tobago national appeared in 22 League matches and started 16 games for the Black-and-Red in the regular season, scoring his lone goal of the year on 9/11 in Toronto to help D.C. beat the team that drafted him ninth overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. James was called away from United for national duty late in the season but was a key cog in the club’s backline throughout the year.

2009: James started the season as a member of the Houston Dynamo, where he saw time in eight games (five starts) totaling 508 minutes on the pitch. When injuries decimated United’s back line, the team signed James in a trade with Houston on 8/14. James went on to contribute greatly in the latter part of the season, making nine appearances (eight starts) for the Black-and-Red. In United’s final game of the season on 10/24, an injured James scored his sole goal of the campaign off a header. In all competitions, James played in 13 games (12 starts), while amassing 1,144 total minutes.

2008: James was the ninth overall selection in the 2008 SuperDraft out of the University of Connecticut. During his rookie season with Toronto FC, James played in 13 games (10 starts) and scored one goal in 899 minutes on the field. In his MLS debut on 5/31, he scored in the 49th minute against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a goal that was the eventual game-winner. The defender was acquired by Houston from Toronto FC – along with allocation money – for midfielder Dwayne DeRosario on 12/12.

International Experience

2010: James was called up for Trinidad and Tobago’s international friendly against Jamaica on 10/10 and contributed to the Soca Warriors’ run through the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the regional competition whose top-four finishers earn berths in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. James earned Man of the Match honors in the squad’s 2-1 victory over Guyana on 11/6.

2009: James was called up by the Trinidad and Tobago National Team to play 90 minutes in a World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica on 10/10.

2008: The Trinidad & Tobago native earned his first cap against Guyana on 9/3.

College Experience

2007: James was named to the All-American First Team for the third time his senior season. He wrapped up his career with the Huskies as a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist and Lowe’s Senior Class Award finalist, as well as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. He anchored the UConn defense that posted 14 shutouts, including four in the postseason, and a 0.53 goals-against average for the year. He played every minute of the season at center back, tallying the game-winning goal against Syracuse and a goal and an assist against Louisville in the Big East Semifinals.

2006: A M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist, James earned Big East Defender of the Year for the second consecutive season. As a two-time All-Big East First Team honoree, James helped the Huskies hold opponents to 1.17 goals per game this season. He played and started in all 19 games the team played, adding two goals.

2005: James played in all 21 games (all starts), helping anchor the nationally-ranked defense that allowed an average of just 0.56 goals per game, while posting 14 shutouts. James scored two goals and was named as a First Team All-American, NSCAA Second Team All-American and First Team New England. He was named the Big East Defender of the Year, as well as a candidate for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.

2004: In his freshman campaign, James was named as a Second Team All-Big East selection. He was inked Big East Defensive Player of the Week by the conference after playing a key role in the Huskies’ 173 minute shutout streak. He notched the game-winner in the 107th minute of UConn’s 1-0 double-overtime win against Rutgers. James played in 23 games (20 starts) and finished with two goals on the season.

Acquired

Signed on 8/14/09.