Dykstra will join Townsend, Kemp, Seaton, and Shanosky as part of the two clubs’ landmark affiliation agreement

Washington D.C. (April 3, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra will join the Richmond Kickers on loan. Dykstra will train during the week with the Black-and-Red’s First Team and join the Kickers for games. United has also loaned forward Casey Townsend, defender/midfielder Taylor Kemp, forward Michael Seaton, and midfielder Conor Shanosky to the Kickers as part of the two clubs’ landmark affiliation agreement.

 Acquired by the Black-and-Red on Feb. 27, 2012, Dykstra spent much of last season on loan with USL PRO side the Charleston Battery. The 27-year-old made 23 appearances (23 starts) for Charleston , leading the Battery to a USL PRO championship. Dykstra also spent the 2011 campaign with the Charleston Battery and led the League with a 0.98 GAA and earned the club’s Betsy McAdam’s Newcomer of the Year award at season’s end.

 Before coming to D.C. United, Dykstra spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Chicago Fire, appearing in 17 matches (17 starts) with five shutouts and a 1.28 GAA mark. The goalkeeper was previously a standout at local Virginia Commonwealth University , playing in 73 games over four collegiate seasons and earning all-conference honors twice. Dykstra logged more than 6,500 minutes with the Rams and posted 18 career shutouts for the squad. From 2005-08, Dykstra was a member of the Kickers Premier Development team, appearing in 50 matches and registering eight clean sheets for the side.

Caroline Miller and Tiffany McCarty score for Washington

Two games remain in "Free Spirit" preseason college series, with Maryland up 3/3 and UVA 3/6

GERMANTOWN, Md. (Mar. 30, 2013) - The Washington Spirit professional women's soccer team defeated defending NCAA champions North Carolina 2-0 today in front of 1725 fans at the sunny Maryland SoccerPlex. The Spirit have yet to concede a goal, in what was their third preseason exhibition game in two weeks, with two more to go until starting their first National Women's Soccer League season in Boston on April 14.

 The Spirit have now played 270 minutes of scoreless soccer at the back, despite starting today without several players expected to patrol the back line for the regular season, including missing international veterans Ali Krieger, Robyn Gayle and Candace Chapman. Krieger, Gayle, Ashlyn Harris and Diana Matheson all missed today's game while on international duty. Chapman has nearly recovered from off-season knee surgery, and was out of uniform today.

 It was Carolina on the attack early, creating several chances, near break-a-ways and earning three early corner kicks. The Spirit held strong, and nearly countered on their own, with all three primary attackers in Tiffany McCarty, Caroline Miller, and Stephanie Ochs causing problems for the Tar Heels.

 Washington's first goal came in the 27th minute when Tiffany McCarty was able to run by the Carolina right back onto an intercepted ball at midfield that caromed in her direction. Drawing three Heels towards her on the left side of the box, the Florida State and U.S. Under-23 star found a wide-open Caroline Miller 16 yards out at the far post. After a lose controlling touch, Miller's first shot was blocked, but the rebound fell right to her and she wasted no time driving the ball home from 10 yards.

 Just after halftime, McCarty was at it again, this time running onto a flicked ball by Ochs, tipping the ball around an on-rushing defender, and running around the other side and in on goal alone. She calmly drew Anna Sieloff out, then expertly passed the ball just inside the left post to give the home team a 2-0 cushion just three minutes into the second half.

 Carolina threatened several times in the second half, but struggled to generate chances, offering notable dip in attacking stats from the first half. The high pressure style of the 21-time NCAA champions did force some turnovers in the Spirit's defensive end, but overall Spirit coach Mike Jorden seemed to have his team playing a more disciplined structure than in previous weeks, limited the danger.

 In the end, the free event clearly had the intended effect of introducing the newest professional team to the Washington area audience, as well as did the live video stream, which at one time boasted nearly 500 simultaneous viewers, including an international audience. (the stream is available to watch at http://www.livestream.com/washingtonspirit/)

 Next up for the Spirit, a short mid-week trip to College Park, Md. to face the Terrapins at Ludwig field. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Then back at the Maryland SoccerPlex to host Virginia at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Tickets to both matches are free, with fans encouraged to download eTickets in advance at tickets.washingtonspirit.com.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Home Team: Washington Spirit 2

Visiting Team: North Carolina 0

Date: Mar 30, 2013

Venue: Maryland SoccerPlex: 11 (Stadium)

Regulation Length: 90

Attendance: 1725

Weather: Sunny, Mild, Breezy

GOALS (Assists/2nd Assists)

27th Minute - Washington Spirit - Caroline Miller (unassisted)

47th Minute - Washington Spirit - Tiffany McCarty (Stephanie Ochs)

TEAM STATISTICS

Washington Spirit / North Carolina

Shots: 11 / 7

Shots on Goal: 4 / 4

Saves: 4 / 2

Corner Kicks: 8 / 3

Fouls: 8 / 3

Offside: 7 / 2

Yellow Cards: 0 / 0

Red Cards: 0 / 0

Gayle, Harris, Krieger, Lindsey, Matheson all debut for Spirit

-GERMANTOWN, Md. (Mar. 24, 2013) - Fielding a lineup mirroring one that could easily start the NWSL season April 14, the Washington Spirit battled the Duke Blue Devils to a entertaining, yet disappointing 0-0 draw in front of 544 fans at the Maryland SoccerPlex home today. The match is the second of a five-game preseason college exhibition series planned by the Spirit as they prepare for their first season in the National Women's Soccer League.

 All games in the series are free to attend, with the Spirit taking on the defending National Champion North Carolina on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the SoccerPlex. Over 2,200 tickets have been claimed for the match so far; with fans wishing to attend only needing to claim passes at tickets.washingtonspirit.com.

 Playing in their only game of the preseason due to upcoming national team games, Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris, Diana Matheson, and Robyn Gayle all started in Mike Jorden's 4-3-3 formation. It was also the debut for U.S. international Lori Lindsey, who is expected to remain with her Spirit teammates for the duration of preseason, barring a late call-up.

 Florida draftee Holly King also made an appearance today while home on spring break. The third round draft pick is finishing school before joining the Spirit full time in May.

 Washington got off to a quick start, pressuring the Blue Devil goal very early, but much like the story last weekend against Penn State, the Spirit's finishing was not sharp. However, the Spirit played high pressure the entire game, keeping the ball in the Duke end for long spells in both halves. But some of the possession rhythm the Red and Whites had last week was not to be found.

 Duke limited the danger on many occasions, giving up seven first half corner kicks, but limiting shots on target to just three. Both teams struggled mightily for any sustained possession and registered similar numbers of shots overall. The one offensive statistics dominated by the Spirit was corner kicks (12-2).

 The second half saw some adjustments made by Jorden in personnel and structure, which improved things, especially in the first 15 minutes of the half. The story however was more of the same; lots of pressure in the Duke end, but few very real chances in finishing areas.

 After substitute goalkeeper Chantel Jones saved what should have been a sure goal by Duke's Kaitlyn Kerr from 12 yards near the end of regulation, it was Matheson who almost stole the show with a 25 yard slashing run down the center-right channel before whipping a driven ball to the near post where it was met first-time by 77th minute entrant Megan Mischler. The West Virginia product made good contact, but her effort skidded just wide right in what would be the last real action of the game.

 Following Saturday's North Carolina match-up, the Spirit travel to the University of Maryland on Wednesday, April 3, before hosting Virginia back at the SoccerPlex on Saturday, April 6. Washington kick off their NWSL season on the road in Boston on Sunday, April 14, and open at home against Abby Wambach and her Western New York Flash Saturday April 20. That match has already sold out the team's Home Side GA seating, leaving only VIP season options and Away Side GA & Hill seats left.

MATCH OVERVIEW

Home Team: Washington Spirit 0

Visiting Team: Duke University 0

Date: Mar 24, 2013

Match Type: Scrimmage

Venue: Maryland SoccerPlex: 11 (Stadium)

Kickoff: 3:00 pm

Regulation Length: 90

Attendance: 544

Weather: 43 degrees, Partly Cloudy

GOALS (Assists/2nd Assists)

NONE

TEAM STATISTICS

Washington Spirit / Duke University

Shots: 11 / 10

Shots on Goal: 4 / 4

Saves: 4 / 4

Corner Kicks: 12 / 2

Fouls: 10 / 4

Offside: 1 / 3

Yellow Cards: 1 / 0

Red Cards: 0 / 0

LINEUPS

Washington Spirit: Harris (Jones 62), Anderson (Huster 45), Toulouse (Wiegel 6 / Hubka 45), Gayle, Krieger, Wells (Williams 62 / Siegel 70), Matheson, Lindsey (King 75), Ochs, McCarty (Mischler 77), Miller (Roberts 45)

Duke: Kershner (Thomas 45), Anasi, Rape, Williford, Straton, Kerr, Doria, Wilson, Pathman (Colas 83), Decesare (Hunt 89), Weinberg (Gibson 65)

All proceeds go directly to United for D.C.

 Washington, D.C. (March 22, 2013) – D.C. United today announced that the club’s charitable arm, United for D.C., raised close to $30,000 at the 11th Annual Kick-Off Luncheon, held at the Hamilton Live DC on March 5, 2013. The event, which was hosted by ABC 7’s Britt McHenry, featured various speakers including Head Coach Ben Olsen and Brian Geffert, President of the Board of United for D.C.

 Support from the following individuals and companies is what made this year’s event a success: Akridge, Amaryllis Seabrooks, Centerplate, eventsDC, GSI, Kaiser Permanente, Triad Construction, Romantica 900 AM, the Barra Brava, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Brian Geffert & Scott Salmon, Clark Construction, the District Ultras, Franklin Square Group, HKS & Thornton Tomasetti, Lenkersdorfer Jewelers, the Screaming Eagles, MOST Orthopedic and Volkswagen.

 United for D.C.’s next trademark event is the Annual United Celebrity Golf Tournament, scheduled to tee off on June 17, 2013. Fans interested in supporting D.C. United both on and off the field can make a donation of $10 for each goal D.C. United scores this season. Proceeds will benefit United for D.C. and contributions are 100% tax deductible. Visit here for more information on how you can support.