D.C. United today announced that Josh Wolff will be leaving the club to join the Columbus Crew as an assistant coach. Wolff, a 14-year veteran of MLS, joined the Black-and-Red technical staff as a player/coach prior to the start of the 2012 season before becoming a full-time assistant following his retirement on Nov. 28, 2012. United will be conducting interviews immediately to fill the position.
The former U.S. International joined D.C. United as a player in 2011 before transitioning to a player/coach for the 2012 season when he helped United clinch its first playoff berth since 2007. During his first full campaign as an assistant coach in 2013, he helped United win its third Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as the club claimed its 13th major domestic and international title. Wolff played in 39 games for the Black-and-Red and recorded five goals and eight assists in two seasons.
“We want to thank Josh for everything he has done for D.C. United both as a coach and a player,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He has been an integral part of this club since joining us in 2011, and we wish him and his family all the best in his new position.”
Josh Wolff’s professional career began in 1998, when he was allocated to the Chicago Fire. He went on to score a rookie-record eight goals in 14 games (all starts) and helped the Fire to MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup titles in the team’s inaugural season. He played for Chicago until the 2002 season – winning another U.S. Open Cup title in 2000 – before joining the Kansas City Wizards in 2003. Over four seasons there, Wolff collected 27 goals and 20 assists and helped the Wizards capture the 2004 U.S. Open Cup. He departed MLS in 2006 and joined 1860 Munich, making 34 appearances and scoring twice for the German Bundesliga second-division side. In 2008, he returned to MLS and Kansas City, joining the Wizards for three seasons (2008-2010), before being selected by D.C. United in the MLS Re-Entry Draft after the 2010 campaign. Over two full seasons in D.C., Wolff played in 39 games (24 starts), providing five goals and eight assists for the Black-and-Red.
Over his entire MLS career, Wolff played in 267 regular season games (210 starts), amassing an impressive 80 goals and 49 assists in close to 20,000 minutes played.
Internationally, Wolff made 52 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring nine goals and adding five assists. Wolff recorded his first international goal on October 25, 2000 in a 2-0 triumph against Mexico. He also scored the game-winner against Mexico in February of 2001 that helped send the U.S. to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The forward made the U.S. roster for two FIFA World Cups, the first in 2002 in Korea and Japan and the second in 2006 in Germany, alongside current United Head Coach Ben Olsen. At the 2002 World Cup, Wolff made two appearances for his country, assisting on the Brian McBride goal that propelled the U.S. into the quarterfinal stage at the expense of Mexico. He also notched the match-winning strike at the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final in a 2-0 win over Costa Rica. He played in every minute of the United States’ six matches at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
Prior to his professional career, Wolff played for the University of South Carolina (1995-97), where he tallied 21 goals and eight assists in 43 games.
