D.C. United Round-Up: Boskovic Returns, United battle PSG, D.C. Sign a Striker

There has been an onlslought of news to report from MLS Eastern Conference leader D.C. United, so enjoy!

The question about whether or not United would be retaining the services of Branko Boskovic has officially been answered today:

Boskovic signs new contract

Boskovic seemed to say all the right things about why he resigned with United:

“I’m staying because this team is really good and we have a chance to be the best in MLS. I want to help the team make the playoffs and win a championship,”

Hopefully the Black-and-Red will be rewarded for their patience in the former 'DP' with some on field production by the Montenegrin.


After news that Juventus dropped out of their summer international friendly broke the wait for a replacement team is now over:

D.C. United vs Paris Saint-Germain on July 28 at RFK Stadium

"PSG is becoming one of the most exciting and news-making clubs in all of European soccer," said D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "We are looking forward to hosting them and continuing our long tradition of playing matches against the world's top clubs for the enjoyment of our supporters."

Order Tickets to see D.C. vs PSG

 
Although the big rumor last week (Rumor has it...United set to sign Shevchenko) was about United possibly being in talks to sign former A.C. Milan and Chelsea striker, Andriy Shevchenko, D.C. did add another striker to their roster yesterday - maybe not the one fans where dreaming of:

Long Tan acquired 

“We’re happy to have Long join our organization and will look forward to him joining the team. He's an interesting prospect and a player we feel has a future upside,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper.

In a bit of irony, Long Tan scored his first and only MLS goal against D.C. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teHoSuwihuo

Tan played a total of 17 games for Vancouver scoring one goal. Long Tan | Career MLS Stats

Fans of United - Episode 14: Somewher in the Middle

Fans of United hosts Devon McTavish, Eric Hunsaker, and Chris Wimmer discuss United's tough loss to Eastern Conference rivals New York, Shevchenko transfer rumors, the amazing season Chris Pontius continues to have, and how the Black-and-Red cannot afford to look past their next oponnents - the Montreal Impact.


 
If you would like to join the Fans of United coed team participating in the Play on the Pitch tournament supporting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America contact us in one of the following ways:

Connect with Fans of United

Top 10 Wish List for MLS Designated Players:

This is going to be simple. Now that Thierry Henry is all but suited up for the New York Red Bulls (possibly the worst kept MLS secret), I’ve compiled a short list of non-U.S. players that I think should be on every MLS franchises wish list as possible Designated Players. Remember under the new Designated Player Rule each team is now allotted 2 (possibly 3) DP slots.

The factors included in producing this list were not amazingly complicated: Name recognition, ability to make plays and/or score (Americans love goals), willingness to play in MLS either right now or within a couple years, and finally their ability to draw the crowds, media attention, and possibly some level of respect to the MLS.

As MLS fans have seen from past DP’s name recognition alone like Beckham will not be enough. Even though Beckham sold out stadiums and outsold all other teams jersey sales, he has been considered a bust on the field and has done very little to bring respect to the quality of MLS as a top level sports league in the U.S.

With that in mind, here is the list. Feel free to disagree, argue, laugh, dismiss, or if at all possible AGREE with this list in the “comments” section:

1. Patrick Vieira (Manchester City)
2. Andrei Shevchenko (Dynamo Kyiv)
3. Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
4. Mikael Silvestre (Free Agent)
5. Michael Owen (Liverpool)
6. Ronaldinho (AC Milan)
7. Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos)
8. Roberto Carlos (Cornthians)
9. Guillermo Franco (Free Agent)
10. David Gray (Manchester Utd.)*

O.K. so #10 on the list is a bit of a joke but Gray is already a beloved man in America so why not?