D.C. United announced today the club has signed defenders Carey Talley and Barry Rice. Talley was acquired after being waived by Chivas USA while Rice joins the club after participating in preseason with the Black-and-Red.
“We are pleased to welcome Carey back to D.C. United,” said General Manager Dave Kasper. “He will make our back line stronger and better. Carey is in the prime of his career and now playing his best soccer, and we look forward to his addition to our team.”
Talley returns to D.C. United after starting his career in the nation’s capital in 1998, when he was selected in the College Draft. He started 16 of United’s final 18 matches in all competitions that year, and played in five playoff games. The following year Talley was a regular for United, scoring four goals and starting all playoff games during United’s successful MLS Cup campaign. In 2000, Talley started 28 of United’s 29 matches as he scored three goals and recorded an assist for the Black-and-Red. In his final season with United in 2001, the defender added two goals and three assists in 20 games played (22 starts).
Before the start of the 2002 season, Talley was traded to Kansas City, where he appeared in 44 matches (32 starts) in his two seasons with the Wizards. Following a trade to FC Dallas at the beginning of the 2004 campaign, Talley played in 43 games (33 starts) and recorded four assists in his two seasons with Dallas. A subsequent trade to Real Salt Lake saw Talley become the team’s iron man in 2006, logging 2,618 minutes in 30 appearances (all starts) and dishing out eight assists. In 2007, he finished third on Real Salt Lake in games (26), starts (25), and goals (tied with 3), and made his 250th appearance in MLS regular season play on Oct. 6 against Chivas USA.
His past two seasons have been spent at Chivas USA, where in 2008 the right back played 16 matches (15 starts) for the team. Last year, Talley played in 27 matches (all starts) and dished out an assist.
Barry Rice comes to D.C. United after a standout playing career at the University of Kentucky. He started off his career as a freshman by starting in all 21 of UK’s matches in 2006, on his way to being named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team. The defender won back-to-back Defender of the Year awards for Conference USA in 2007 and 2008. Overall, Rice recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 78 games. He finished his collegiate career sixth all-time for game-winning goals and seventh all-time in career games played.
“Barry has had a good preseason with United and he is deserving of this opportunity,” added Kasper. “He is a solid, athletic defender who has a big upside and we are excited about his future.”
Name: Carey Talley
Position: D
Jersey number: 8
Date of birth: 8/26/1976
Place of birth: Memphis, TN
Hometown: Cordova, TN
Height: 6-1
Weight: 178
Last Club: Chivas USA
Acquired: Signed off waivers March 26, 2010.
Name: Barry Rice
Position: D
Jersey number: 15
Date of birth: 9/23/1987
Place of birth: Euclid, OH
Hometown: Parma, OH
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180 lbs
Acquired: Signed on March 25, 2010.
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