Curt Onalfo has been tabbed as the next head coach of D.C. United. The 40-year old Onalfo is the sixth head coach in club history and will be officially introduced at a press conference at RFK Stadium on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Onalfo has a long history with United, having played for the team during the 1998 and 1999 seasons (he won a few trophies, too), and having served the club as an assistant coach and director of youth development from 2000 to 2002.
Onalfo's long history in soccer includes, among many other things, serving as the Kansas City Wizards head coach, as an assistant for Bruce Arena on the U.S. Men's National Team, playing with D.C. United, San Jose Clash, LA Galaxy and in Mexico and France, as well as playing for the U.S. Olympic team in Barcelona, for the U.S. U-20 National Team and for the full U.S. national team.
Quotes from United President and CEO Kevin Payne, General Manager Dave Kasper and Onalfo after the jump.
Kevin Payne:
"This has been a lengthy process but at the end of it we believe Curt Onalfo will be an outstanding leader for D.C. United. Our first priority was to find someone who shares the club's long-standing philosophy of attacking soccer – and Curt absolutely does. Having played and coached here, Curt understands the culture of D.C. United. As a former member of our 1998 and 1999 championship-winning teams, he understands what is necessary today to fulfill the D.C. United legacy and meet the lofty expectations that follow our club. His fluency in Spanish, familiarity with our community, and understanding of our league are additional factors that make him the ideal choice to lead our team and I am excited to welcome him home. We look forward to getting to work in bringing the MLS Cup back to D.C."
Dave Kasper:
“We are excited to welcome Curt back to D.C. United. His experience as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the World Cup level, his time as an MLS head coach, combined with the years he spent as a player and coach at D.C. United, make him the perfect fit to lead our club. We are confident Curt will foster a daily environment in our locker room that will begin a new chapter of success.”
Curt Onalfo:
"I am very excited to lead D.C. United into a new era, building on its storied and successful history. Having already played and served as an assistant coach for the most successful club in MLS history, I understand the expectations that come along with this position. It takes more to be the head coach of United and I fully intend to help bring D.C. its fifth MLS Cup."
