Black And Red United: FanShots

Portsmouth end horrific tour by having to wear DC United kit

2010-07-27T13:17:00Z

Portsmouth end horrific tour by having to wear DC United kit

With photos. What a humiliating way to end a humiliating tour.

Even the MLS hates Philly. Left them off the All Star Game pennant.

2010-07-25T19:56:37Z

Even the MLS hates Philly. Left them off the All Star Game pennant.

Highlight package from the DCU-Portsmouth friendly.

2010-07-25T11:41:11Z

Highlight package from the DCU-Portsmouth friendly.

Highlight package of Wednesday's 2-0 USOC win (from the DCU website).

2010-07-22T15:06:55Z

Highlight package of Wednesday's 2-0 USOC win (from the DCU website).

Yanks Abroad Jemal Johnson and Sal Zizzo to United?

2010-07-21T11:01:25Z

Yanks Abroad Jemal Johnson and Sal Zizzo to United?

According to Steven Goff, United may be in the process of acquiring some new young American talent.

Due to United's place in the standings (last), they stand the best chance of winning the lottery to attain the rights to 23-year old midfielder Sal Zizzo, who recently signed with MLS after playing with Hannover 96 in Germany.

United has also been linked with 25-year old midfielder Jemal Johnson, another American who took his services overseas at a young age. Johnson is rumored to be on his way to D.C. for a trial.

Little Warrier to become Little Gunner?

2010-07-20T21:54:42Z

Little Warrier to become Little Gunner?

ESPN's transfer gossip blog has it, too. I don't know how much I trust a "personal coach in Honduras," given that Najar has been in the States for a few years now, but the rumor is that he'll have a 3 week trial at Arsenal once the MLS season is finished.

I knew we wouldn't have him all that long, but if this is true - and if he sticks - then he'll be gone the day he turns 18. Wow.

Match Day Quick Reference Card (coutesy Sounder At Heart)

2010-07-15T14:13:34Z

Match Day Quick Reference Card (coutesy Sounder At Heart)

Tee hee!

2010-07-06T00:37:53Z

Tee hee!

Castillo released

2010-06-30T01:39:05Z

Castillo released

If, during the preseason, you had told me that Cristian Castillo wouldn't be with United in July, I'd have suspected that either Leon recalled him to Mexico or that there was a massive personality issue. Instead, Castillo's underwhelming play, the rise of Andy Najar, and the fact that Castillo made too much money to ride the pine, all contributed to his being cut loose with just 14 games played in the regular season. In accordance with his tiny impact on the club, I'm only posting a fanshot about it, rather than a full-fledged post. Oh, the indignity!

This is definitely a reasonable decisionl. Castillo was never said to have made waves in practice, but his on-field contribution was arguably less than that of Boyzzz Khumalo. He was given several months to make the adjustment to MLS, but it never happened. It's hard to argue that Castillo should have been kept on.

Think this means that Boskovic isn't our only new player coming in from abroad? What would be your next move (beyond signing a goalscorer, which I think we all agree is the logical next step)?

Najar's goal is to play in Europe for his favorite club, Real Madrid, and for the Honduran national...

2010-06-22T10:44:03Z

Najar's goal is to play in Europe for his favorite club, Real Madrid, and for the Honduran national team. He already has been in contact with the Honduran U-20 team.

I'm wondering what other D.C. United fans think about this Washington Post article about young Andy Najar and his statement that his dream is to play for the Honduran national team.

This is totally different from Giuseppe Rossi right? Rossi spent his entire youth in New Jersey, but was a dual Italian-American citizen due to his parents' immigration. Najar grew up in Honduras and only moved to the U.S. at age 13.

Should we be upset that Najar would choose to play for Honduras over the United States? Should we even care?

D.C.'s Favorite World Cup Teams

2010-06-19T02:43:37Z

D.C.'s Favorite World Cup Teams

If you're a D.C. sports fan and you're not sure who you should be supporting in the World Cup, I've got some ideas for you in this feature on SB Nation DC.

SBNation Soccer Editors World Cup Picks

2010-06-12T02:51:51Z

SBNation Soccer Editors World Cup Picks

Richard Farley and the rest of the SB Nation World Cup writers have been providing lots of great coverage over the past several weeks. Check it out if you haven't yet.

I'm on record with my picks (Brazil over Argentina in the final). How about you?

Andy Najar: Everything Freddy Adu Wasn't?

2010-06-10T10:49:00Z

Andy Najar: Everything Freddy Adu Wasn't?

This is my first feature story over at the new SBNationDC. And of course I'm going to make sure that my first feature is about DC United!

Read it. Love it. Comment on it.

Transfer rumor: Edwin de Graaf

2010-06-09T05:43:15Z

Transfer rumor: Edwin de Graaf

MLSsoccer.com's Charles Boehm hinted at something brewing, and apparently it is. Craig Stouffer of the Washington Examiner says that United has had, at the very least, preliminary talks with Dutch right winger Edwin de Graaf.

de Graaf is apparently out of contract with NAC Breda, a club that employed former United and USA midfielder Earnie Stewart for many years. He apparently has had some recent injury troubles, but his goalscoring record (36 in 199 league games) is pretty good for a wide man.

Wallace and Pena both out for trip to Seattle

2010-06-08T03:41:59Z

Wallace and Pena both out for trip to Seattle

Craig Stouffer at the Washington Examiner is reporting that left back Rodney Wallace has a fractured fibula, an injury picked up after preventing a shot by Alvaro Saborio of Real Salt Lake. Wallace will apparently be out for at least 6 weeks, which is quite a blow when you consider that our defense was finally moving in the right direction.

Veteran center back Juan Manuel Pena will also miss Thursday's game due to a groin strain (which explains his early departure against RSL).

Look for Jordan Graye to fill the gap left by Wallace, with Devon McTavish stepping in at right back. Julius James figures to replace Pena in central defense. Those players have been doing well of late, but the trip to Seattle is going to be a huge test for what is a young group.

The Launch Of SB Nation DC

2010-06-07T10:45:33Z

The Launch Of SB Nation DC

We're pleased to announce today the launch of SB Nation's new regional hub for D.C. sport: SB Nation DC.

It's a place that will bring together all the most bloggable items from the Skins, Nats, Caps, Wizards, Terps, Hoyas, and of course DC United. We'll have feature articles, witty commentary, and columns from some of the best D.C. sports bloggers out there: Chris Needham and Homer McFanboy.

This will also mark the expansion of my own role within the SB Nation community. In addition to managing Black And Red United to the best of my ability, I'll also be doing some writing for SB Nation DC on the weekends, and maybe even some feature stories on occasion too. I apologize in advance for subjecting you to that.

And finally, don't forget about SB Nation's D.C. meet-up tonight at the Iron Horse Pub. Call it a launch party if you will. I'll be there, and I hope you will be too.

MLS All-Time Leading Scorer Jaime Moreno did not make the 18-man gameday roster tonight for DC...

2010-06-06T00:42:31Z

MLS All-Time Leading Scorer Jaime Moreno did not make the 18-man gameday roster tonight for DC United due to a minor injury. But if you think that would keep him away from RFK, you're crazy. Moreno spent parts of the match standing, singing, and banging the drum with the Barra Brava.

Think we would see this happen in any other sport?

We Win On Wednesday

2010-06-05T01:47:07Z

We Win On Wednesday

Remember Kyle Sheldon's brilliant WeWinTrophies.com marketing campaign last year? It resulted in the most-attended US Open Cup Final in tournament history. But it also backfired... We didn't win that trophy.

The new spin-off is WeWinOnWednesday.com. A tribute to DC United's amazing ability to win every tournament match and exhibition played on a Wednesday, despite being a mostly below average team.

United doesn't currently have any other Wednesday night matches listed on their schedule for 2010. But you can bet that the next Open Cup match will be on a Wednesday too if we've got anything to say about it.

SB Nation Meet-up - Washington DC

2010-06-01T10:14:37Z

SB Nation Meet-up - Washington DC

This is your chance to meet me and other DC writers and fans from our SBNation communities. Come out this Monday night and introduce yourself. Or better yet, buy me a beer. Make your reservation with the link above.

Monday June 7th. 6:00-8:00pm
Iron Horse Tap Room
507 7th Street NW

I'll be there. Will you?

Must-read ESPN piece on Najar, DCU Academy, & MLS youth system as a whole

2010-05-31T23:57:38Z

Must-read ESPN piece on Najar, DCU Academy, & MLS youth system as a whole

I can't overstate enough how vital it is for MLS clubs to have successful youth programs in place. As MLS expands its player pool and looks to improve quality at the same time, finding a way to generate more youngsters who can make it as professionals is absolutely crucial.

The link is to today's article by Leander Schaerlaeckens, which focuses on our boy wonder Andy Najar and the United Academy program. The article also takes a broad look at MLS youth programs as a whole, and what can be done to make the youth system as a whole improve.

Looking forward to seeing Funes suit up for the senior team? Other thoughts?