Canadian international impresses through pre-season trial with D.C. United

Washington, D.C. (February 28, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Kyle Porter from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2014 MLS Supplemental Draft. Porter, a native of Toronto , Canada , joined D.C. United in Bradenton , Fla. , for its game against Swedish powerhouse Malmo FF, where he had the game-tying assist. Porter continued to impress through the pre-season, netting match-tying goals against the Montreal Impact and the Philadelphia Union. Prior to joining the Black-and-Red, Porter was a standout for FC Edmonton of the NASL and recently made his first and second career appearances with the Canadian Men’s National Team on January 26 and January 29.

 “Kyle is an excellent prospect for our club,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is an athletic midfielder with great range and the ability to manufacture goals. We look forward to Kyle's future with United.”

 The Vancouver Whitecaps FC product logged over 2,000 minutes and tallied 12 goals over 2011 and 2012 with FC Edmonton. He joins fellow Canadians Dwayne De Rosario and Dejan Jakovic as one of three Canadian internationals on the Black-and-Red squad.

Name: Kyle Porter

Height: 6-0

Weight: 160

Position: Midfielder

Birthdate: January 19, 1990

Age: 23

Birthplace: Toronto , Canada

Previous Club: FC Edmonton

Acquired: Acquired on February 28, 2013 from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2014 MLS Supplemental Draft.

 NEW YORK (March 1, 2013) – The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended D.C. United forward Dwayne De Rosario for two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for violent conduct that endangered the safety of his opponent, Philadelphia Union midfielder Danny Cruz, during a preseason game between the clubs on Feb. 23. The referee issued De Rosario a red card for violent conduct in the 60th minute of the match.

 The MLS Players Union appealed the decision on behalf of De Rosario. MLS Commissioner Don Garber heard the appeal yesterday and upheld the Disciplinary Committee’s decision.

 De Rosario will serve his suspension this Saturday when D.C. United opens its season against Houston Dynamo and on March 9 when D.C. hosts Real Salt Lake

Beach FC becomes the third youth soccer partner of the Black-and-Red

 Washington, D.C. (March 1, 2013) – D.C. United and Beach FC – in conjunction with adidas – today announced a regional affiliate agreement, the third of its kind for D.C. United and a youth soccer club. Under the agreement, Beach FC will be one of D.C. United’s primary sources in identifying and developing the top youth talent. United will share its coaching resources and will work with Beach FC to follow its training curriculum and system of play. Top players in the Beach FC system, identified by both D.C. United and Beach FC, will have the opportunity to join the D.C. United Academy teams, with a strong priority being placed on the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups.

 “We are very excited that Beach FC will join us as our third affiliate club,” said Sonny Silooy, D.C. United’s Director of Youth Development. “Beach FC has a proven track record of cultivating talent for top college programs, Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team pool, and we look forward to combining resources and expertise to further develop players in the region."

 "Beach FC is extremely proud and excited to be invited into an affiliate partnership with D.C. United,” said Beach FC Executive Director Steve Danbusky. “To be able to align with a professional club at the highest level, with a rich tradition both on and off the field, was very appealing to us. The exposure and access that our staff and players will receive will most certainly enhance their development and serve as an added motivator to push on to the next level. In addition, the partnership will provide the opportunity for our elite 
male players to be identified and train in D.C. United's Youth Academy , which will serve as a tremendous supplement to their Beach FC and ODP participation.”

 In addition to the player identification and development component of the affiliate agreement, Beach FC will be outfitted with D.C. United and adidas-branded training gear, uniforms and coaching gear, and will receive special D.C. United ticketing opportunities for players and their families.

 “The United States has some of the best athletic talent in the world, and it's our goal to provide homegrown athletes with opportunities to play elite soccer,” said Antonio Zea, Director of Soccer for adidas America . “With our recent extension of the Major League Soccer contract, we have put the importance of youth development at a premium, and are excited about helping create Youth Club Alliances with local MLS clubs. This partnership between Beach FC, D.C. United and adidas will prove to be a great step in developing the next generation of American soccer icons.”

 "'This agreement continues our development of strategically integrated business initiatives,” said Doug Hicks, D.C. United’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We look forward to engaging with additional local and regional clubs in the weeks ahead.”

Black-and-Red forms partnership with Federal City FC

 Washington D.C. (February 25, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that the club has formed a partnership with the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Federal City FC. With this agreement, the D.C. United U-23 Academy team will compete in the NPSL’s Southeast Conference in the summer of 2013.

 "We are pleased to have our U-23 team competing in the NPSL during the summer of 2013,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “This will provide a meaningful competition to enhance the summer experience for both our returning college Academy players and for talented college players from across the country.”

 “We are excited to begin our partnership with one of the most successful and recognizable MLS brands, D.C. United,” said President and General Manager of Federal City FC Steven Wagoner . “Our agreement compliments both clubs by giving top college players development and exposure opportunities through our NPSL First Team and ultimately, Major League Soccer with D.C. United. It will also help expose local Washington D.C. , Metro talent at the U6-U18 age groups through academy programs and clinics, giving players exclusive opportunities with both Federal City FC and D.C. United. This is a exciting opportunity for our players that have the skill, work ethic and aspirations to play NCAA I college and/or professional soccer."

 With a pool of 28 players, the U-23 squad will feature D.C. United Academy alumni as well as top collegiate, international and domestic players. The NPSL campaign will commence on May 17 for the Black-and-Red as the U-23s prepare to take on RVA FC and the season will conclude on July 6, with playoffs set in July as well. Led by D.C. United legend and U-23 Head Coach Jaime Moreno, the team will play a total of eight regular-season matches and will be under the helm of one of the most accomplished players in MLS history. Moreno will also be assisted by United U-18 and U-16 Academy Head Coaches Nolan Sheldon and Tom Torres, respectively.

 “We are very excited about our new partnership with Federal City FC and the NPSL," said Moreno . “This will be an important opportunity for our U-23 players to participate in competitive matches and further develop their play.”

 Open tryouts for the U-23s will occur in May; those that are interested should visit www.dcunited.com for more information. For a full schedule of U-23 matches in the NPSL, see below:

U-23 Academy’s Schedule in NPSL

May 17 RVA FC (site TBD)

May 24 CASL Elite (site TBD)

May 31 Myrtle Beach FC (site TBD)

June 8 @ Myrtle Beach FC ( Myrtle Beach , SC )

June 14 Chesterfield United FC (site TBD)

June 21 @ RVA FC ( Richmond , Va. )

June 29 @ Chesterfield United FC ( Richmond , Va. )

July 6 @ CASL Elite ( Raleigh , NC )