WASHINGTON ? The last time D.C. United hit the road, a two game road trip to Portland and Los Angeles yielded four points.
On Saturday night, DC will look to continue success away from the nation?s capital, this time against Real Salt Lake (9 pm ET, watch LIVE online). To achieve that, Ben Olsen?s men will look to emulate the efforts of two weeks ago.
Real Salt Lake return home following a two-game Eastern swing to take on D.C. United, Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. United haven't won in five seasons in Utah, since winning there in Real's inaugural season. RSL took one point on their travels after a 1-1 draw in Philadelphia last time out. United saw a five-game unbeaten run come to an end in a 4-2 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
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WASHINGTON ? D.C. United returned to the training pitch Tuesday morning, ready to move on from Saturday?s 4-2 defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes.
But for a young team, there was also an awareness of using the loss as a learning experience, a stepping stone to bigger and better things in a long season.
According to head coach Ben Olsen, the showing in training was a good start.
?It was a festive practice today,? he said. ?It was pretty high energy and you like to see that response from a group after, physically, I thought we got a little beat up on the weekend.?
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WASHINGTON ? It?s been a long, frustrating and injury-plagued season for D.C. United defender Jed Zayner in 2011.
A hamstring injury picked up in the season opener against the Columbus Crew has dogged him since mid-March, limiting him to only two league appearances and 131 minutes.
It?s also nullified any sort of contribution the 26-year-old hoped to have in his first full season with United.
?It?s been a long two-and-a-half-months ? [especially] seeing the boys go up and down,? Zayner said.
On Tuesday, June 21 D.C. United's newly-formed Under-23 side will begin its season on the campus of Mary Washington against Fredericksburg Hotspurs at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Black-and-Red were originally slated to begin their inaugural U-23 campaign tomorrow at home against the Northern Virginia Royals, but the impending arrival of the United States National Team ahead of Sunday's Gold Cup action forced that contest to be moved to a later date.
CLUB HOPES TO CONTINUE ROAD SUCCESS
Hoping to build off the four points D.C. United earned at Portland and LA during the club's last roadtrip, the Black-and-Red look to shake off the week 13 loss to San Jose at RFK Stadium by getting a favorable result in Salt Lake City on Saturday (9:00 p.m. EST/Comcast SportsNet).
Andy Najar was named Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers Man of the Match for Matchday 13 of the MLS Regular Season today based on fan voting conducted on dcunited.com. Najar scored his first goal of the season in a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
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On Tuesday, June 21 D.C. United's newly-formed Under-23 side will begin its season on the campus of Mary Washington against Fredericksburg Hotspurs at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Black-and-Red were originally slated to begin their inaugural U-23 campaign tomorrow at home against the Northern Virginia Royals, but the impending arrival of the United States National Team ahead of Sunday's Gold Cup action forced that contest to be moved to a later date.
WASHINGTON ? In the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League, winning a division over a long, ten-month season is no easy feat.
It?s even more impressive, as D.C. United?s Academy teams did over the weekend, to win the division in both age groups.
With the Sunday?s results ? D.C.?s U-16s defeated PA Classics 3-0, and the U-18s won 3-1 ? both teams clinched first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the East Conference.
We sat down with D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar earlier this week, Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers Man of the Match for United's last two games. The 18-year-old Honduran scored his first goal of the season last Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes at RFK Stadium. After having trouble finding his Rookie of the Year form at the beginning of the 2011 campaign, it seems that Najar has secured his place in Ben Olsen?s team.
RELIEF FROM THE HEAT
D.C. United resumed training on Tuesday morning ahead of this weekend's trip to Salt Lake City. Unlike the heat and humidity of last week, the team enjoyed the sunny 75-degree weather in Washington.
"It's a lot easier to play in this [weather] than it is the heat and humidity," said midfielder Chris Pontius.
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United returned to the training pitch Tuesday morning, ready to move on from Saturday?s 4-2 defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes.
But for a young team, there was also an awareness of using the loss as a learning experience, a stepping stone to bigger and better things in a long season.
According to head coach Ben Olsen, the showing in training was a good start.
?It was a festive practice today,? he said. ?It was pretty high energy and you like to see that response from a group after, physically, I thought we got a little beat up on the weekend.?
D.C. United announced today four nominees for the 2011 Hall of Tradition induction ceremony. Historic Black-and-Red players Roy Lassiter, Carlos Llamosa, John Maessner, and Richie Williams are the contenders for this prestigious honor.
On Tuesday, June 21 D.C. United's newly-formed Under-23 side will begin its season on the campus of Mary Washington against Fredericksburg Hotspurs at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Black-and-Red were originally slated to begin their inaugural U-23 campaign tomorrow at home against the Northern Virginia Royals, but the impending arrival of the United States National Team ahead of Sunday's Gold Cup action forced that contest to be moved to a later date.
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United returned to the training pitch Tuesday morning, ready to move on from Saturday?s 4-2 defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes.
But for a young team, there was also an awareness of using the loss as a learning experience, a stepping stone to bigger and better things in a long season.
According to head coach Ben Olsen, the showing in training was a good start.
?It was a festive practice today,? he said. ?It was pretty high energy and you like to see that response from a group after, physically, I thought we got a little beat up on the weekend.?
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United returned to the training pitch Tuesday morning, ready to move on from Saturday?s 4-2 defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes.
But for a young team, there was also an awareness of using the loss as a learning experience, a stepping stone to bigger and better things in a long season.
According to head coach Ben Olsen, the showing in training was a good start.
?It was a festive practice today,? he said. ?It was pretty high energy and you like to see that response from a group after, physically, I thought we got a little beat up on the weekend.?
WASHINGTON ? A Steven Lenhart hat trick led the San Jose Earthquakes to a 4-2 win over D.C. United Saturday evening at RFK Stadium. Lenhart played a role in all four of San Jose?s goals on the evening by assisting on the club?s fourth, scored by Simon Dawkins as the Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak to six games. Andy Najar and Blake Brettschneider tallied their first goals of the season for the home side.
Andy Najar was named Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers Man of the Match for Matchday 13 of the MLS Regular Season today based on fan voting conducted on dcunited.com. Najar scored his first goal of the season in a 4-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
BID ON AN AUTOGRAPHED JERSEY
As part of D.C. United?s continued efforts to make appearances in the community and through its partnership with Volkswagen, United players will be making various appearances throughout the Metropolitan Area this week.
LAYING FOUNDATIONS
During D.C. United?s turbulent 2010 season, the Black-and-Red saw the emergence of several young players and Homegrown talents. Included in this movement were 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar and starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid. United boasted one of the youngest rosters in Major League Soccer, and though the club struggled, a foundation for the future was put in place.
After a successful trip to the West Coast, D.C. United is back at RFK to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening (7:30 p.m. E.T./CSN). Here is all the information you need to prepare for Saturday's match.
LAYING FOUNDATIONS
During D.C. United?s turbulent 2010 season, the Black-and-Red saw the emergence of several young players and Homegrown talents. Included in this movement were 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar and starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid. United boasted one of the youngest rosters in Major League Soccer, and though the club struggled, a foundation for the future was put in place.
A pair of teams riding month-long unbeaten runs meet at RFK Stadium when D.C. United return home to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. United are coming off a two-game unbeaten Western swing, concluding with a scoreless draw at the LA Galaxy. The Quakes are back on the road at an Eastern Conference opponent after a stirring 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo at home last weekend.
REFEREE: Andrew Chapin. SAR (bench): Greg Barkey; JAR (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Alex Prus MLS Career: 30 games; FC/gm: 27.5; Y/gm: 4.8; R: 8; pens: 4
WASHINGTON ? A laundry list of things didn?t go D.C. United?s way during a tough 2010 season.
So far this year, the improvement has been vast, as first-year coach Ben Olsen has a young team playing hard and fighting for 90 minutes, in particular during the club?s current five-game unbeaten streak over the last month.
After a successful trip to the West Coast, D.C. United is back at RFK to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening (7:30 p.m. E.T./CSN). Here is all the information you need to prepare for Saturday's match.
A pair of teams riding month-long unbeaten runs meet at RFK Stadium when D.C. United return home to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. United are coming off a two-game unbeaten Western swing, concluding with a scoreless draw at the LA Galaxy. The Quakes are back on the road at an Eastern Conference opponent after a stirring 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo at home last weekend.
REFEREE: Andrew Chapin. SAR (bench): Greg Barkey; JAR (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Alex Prus MLS Career: 30 games; FC/gm: 27.5; Y/gm: 4.8; R: 8; pens: 4
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WASHINGTON ? A laundry list of things didn?t go D.C. United?s way during a tough 2010 season.
So far this year, the improvement has been vast, as first-year coach Ben Olsen has a young team playing hard and fighting for 90 minutes, in particular during the club?s current five-game unbeaten streak over the last month.
On Saturday, D.C. United fans will have the opportunity to get a free Andy Najar bobblehead, courtesy of our friends at Volkswagen. In fact, the first 10,000 people through the gates (which open at 6pm) will take home the bobblehead modeled after the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year.
You might be surprised to learn that it?s the first D.C. United bobblehead since 2004, when the club produced a Freddy Adu figurine.
D.C. United?s Youth Academy finished 2-1 in weekend action, as the club?s Under-15 side fell 4-1 to NJSA?04 in the National Playoffs, capping a successful inaugural season.
The U-18 and U-16 sides fared better, as each tram travelled to Prince George?s Community College on Saturday, June 4. Both sides were victorious over Potomac Academy, with the U-18?s posting a 6-1 result, followed by a 4-0 U-16 victory.
UNITED READY FOR UPCOMING HOME MATCHES
With three of D.C. United's next four matches at home, the team is ready to earn maximum points at RFK Stadium. Since beating Columbus 3-1 in the home opener, United has gone 1-1-3 at home.
"We need points at home," says forward Josh Wolff. "I think if you're going to be a realistic playoff team you have to gather the majority of your points at home."
The United Soccer Club ?Spring Kick? Tournament was held Friday, June 3 from 4:30-7:15 p.m. on the RFK Stadium Training Field. The event brought together over 200 participants in the culmination of a ten-week training program focused on teaching the participants the importance of a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and proper nutrition, as well as life skills that are beneficial on and off the field.
Throughout the 2011 Major League Soccer season, D.C. United collects items at every home game to benefit pre-determined non-profit organizations within the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. This June, the club will collect games and toys for the kids at Children?s National Medical Center and The Children?s Center in support of United Drives. As a D.C. United signature program, United Drives assigns a different charity drive for each month of the MLS regular season, including the collection of soccer equipment, food, children?s books, and school supplies.
WASHINGTON ? Slowly but surely, D.C. United are starting to get positive news on the injury front.
While a couple of long-term issues linger with midfielders Branko Boskovic and Devon McTavish, Jed Zayner and Junior Carreiro both saw minutes in a Reserve League draw against New England, a significant step forward for players who have missed significant time this season.
It?s particularly good news for Zayner, who has been battling a hamstring injury for most of the season, limiting him to just two games so far this year.
WASHINGTON ? It?s becoming commonplace for D.C. United academy players to get a chance in MLS Reserve matches. But it?s not every day they get to play a prominent role.
Turns out Tuesday wasn?t just any ordinary day. Not only did five academy players see significant time in DC?s 2-2 draw against New England, but academy midfielder Collin Martin scored the tying goal, and Brad Volv managed to hold his own at the back.
BACK IN BLACK
After a week on the West Coast D.C. United is back on familiar ground. The club returns home to face MLS Western Conference side San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 inside RFK Stadium (Comcast SportsNet). The Black-and-Red are coming off of two impressive performances in Portland in LA, taking four points out of a possible six on the road, as Ben Olsen's side is currently unbeaten in five League matches.
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United rallied from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution in MLS Reserve League action.
Kenny Mansally's brace staked the Revolution to a two-goal lead, but second half goals by Joseph Ngwenya and Academy player Collin Martin led the comeback for D.C.
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United rallied from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution in MLS Reserve League action.
Kenny Mansally's brace staked the Revolution to a two-goal lead, but second half goals by Joseph Ngwenya and Academy player Collin Martin led the comeback for D.C.
WASHINGTON ? D.C. United rallied from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution in MLS Reserve League action.
Kenny Mansally's brace staked the Revolution to a two-goal lead, but second half goals by Joseph Ngwenya and Academy player Collin Martin led the comeback for D.C.
D.C. United?s Youth Academy finished 2-1 in weekend action, as the club?s Under-15 side fell 4-1 to NJSA?04 in the National Playoffs, capping a successful inaugural season.
The U-18 and U-16 sides fared better, as each tram travelled to Prince George?s Community College on Saturday, June 4. Both sides were victorious over Potomac Academy, with the U-18?s posting a 6-1 result, followed by a 4-0 U-16 victory.
Striker Charlie Davies and captain Dax McCarty are both in line to return for D.C. United in a crucial road match at the LA Galaxy on Friday (11 pm ET, Fox Soccer).
The pair didn?t make the 18-man roster in DC?s 3-2 win in Portland last Sunday, but trained all week and are expected to factor against LA.
?Dax and Charlie are good to go,? DC head coach Ben Olsen told MLSsoccer.com.
United for D.C., the non-profit arm of D.C. United, announced today details of the Tenth Annual United Celebrity Golf Tournament, presented by Geico. Golfers will gather at 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, Virginia for a 1:30 p.m. ET shotgun start on Monday, June 20.
In preparation for tonight?s game we start the round up by looking at Steve Goff?s (The Washington Post) article on Blake Brettschneider?s development from rookie to starter. From the Washington Examiner, Craig Stouffer writes about Ethan White and his defensive performance to date.
UNITED ON THE MOVE
Following Sunday?s thrilling 3-2 victory in Portland, the Black-and-Red enjoyed a rare day off on Memorial Day before getting back on the training pitch Tuesday morning. The players took to the field at Tualatin Hills outside of Portland?s city center, as Ben Olsen put his charges through a light session ahead of an evening flight to Los Angeles.
Following Wednesday's training session in Carson, Calif. at the Home Depot Center, United Assistant Coach Pat Onstad stopped to speak about his recent transition back to the coaching ranks. Onstad will be be focusing solely on his coaching duties moving forward with the Black-and-Red, as the distinguished 43-year-old goalkeeper's playing contract expired on May 31.
UNITED ON THE MOVE
Following Sunday?s thrilling 3-2 victory in Portland, the Black-and-Red enjoyed a rare day off on Memorial Day before getting back on the training pitch Tuesday morning. The players took to the field at Tualatin Hills outside of Portland?s city center, as Ben Olsen put his charges through a light session ahead of an evening flight to Los Angeles.
From the beginning of the season, D.C. United made it very clear that young players would have to play a central role in any success in 2011.
On Sunday, two rookies ? Perry Kitchen and Blake Brettschneider ? stepped up as a makeshift DC side sent the Portland Timbers to their first home defeat of the year with a 3-2 win.
INJURY UPDATE IN PORTLAND
D.C. United is on the ground in Portland, as the Black-and-Red arrived late last night in Oregon. Ben Olsen's side will have one final training session this morning before Sunday's match with the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field. The players will train this morning at adidas' North American headquarters in North Portland before watching the Champions League Final this afternoon at the team hotel.
