D.C. United Carolina Challenge Cup Recap

D.C. United returned to Charleston, SC to compete in the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup this past weekend. United are the current defending champions of the preseason tournament having won the two previous cups.

Apperently a return trip to South Carolina was just what the team needed as the Black and Red picked up their first preseason win and new Designated Player, Hamdi Salihi, scored a beautiful goal in the match against the Chicago Fire. Fans, front office members, and Head Coach Ben Olsen will surely be hoping to see more of this type of production from the Albanian that the team was able to sign this offseason while competing against Scottish football club Celtic who also was interested in adding Salihi to their club.

Up next for United in Carolina Cup play is a match against hometown Charleston Battery on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. D.C. will finish up tournament play Saturday against the Columbus Crew at 5:00 p.m. The games will be streamed live on dcunited.com for those who want to watch.

United add Hamdi Salihi as DP

Official D.C. United Press Release:

D.C. United acquires forward Hamdi Salihi as Designated Player

28-year old Albanian international has scored 163 goals in 289 professional matches

Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2012) – D.C. United announced today the club has signed 28-year old forward Hamdi Salihi as a Designated Player. The Albanian international has scored 163 goals in 289 professional matches (all competitions), 53% of the matches in which he has played. Per club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Salihi will be officially added to the roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, P-1 Visa, and full medical clearance.

“We are thrilled to have completed a deal to bring Hamdi to MLS and D.C. United,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He has one of the most impressive strike rates you’ll find and has shown he’s capable of scoring goals at every level in which he’s played. We believe strongly he will become another important piece for our team and we look forward to seeing him on the field in March.”

Salihi was most recently with Rapid Vienna of Austria’s top division. During the team’s current campaign, he has scored 11 goals in 15 matches (all competitions). In three total years with Rapid Vienna, he has tallied 53 goals in 90 total matches (all competitions). While at Rapid Vienna, Salihi was a teammate of current D.C. United midfielder Branko Boskovic.

The Albanian forward’s career began with his hometown side KS Vllaznia Shkodër in 2002. Over three campaigns with the team, Salihi tallied 30 goals in 53 matches (all competitions).

In 2005, Salihi moved to Panionios in Athens Greece. He played in just six matches before returning to Albania to join KF Tirana prior to the 2005-06 season. He captured the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer, helping his team to the National Cup – the Albanian Superliga championship. Two campaigns with Tirana saw Salihi tally an impressive 42 goals in 52 matches (all competitions).

Midway through the 2006-07 campaign, Salihi moved to SV Ried of Austria’s Bundesliga, tallying six goals in 16 games with his new side. During the next two full campaigns, he notched 30 goals in 65 matches (all competitions). Salihi began the 2009-10 campaign with SV Ried and scored two goals in seven matches before a mid-season move to Rapid Vienna. Over 31 total matches (all competitions) with his new side, he scored 17 goals. The 2010-11 season saw Salihi tally 25 goals in 44 matches (all competitions).

Salihi has also been an important part of the Albanian National Team, scoring nine goals in 37 senior team matches. In 2011, he had his best year to date with Albania, tallying three goals in ten international games.

D.C. United’s 17^th MLS season begins on Saturday, March 10 when the Black-and Red host Sporting Kansas City. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Ticket packages may be purchased at dcunited.com.




Name: Hamdi SalihiHeight: 6’1”
Weight: 170
Jersey: 9
Position: Forward
Birthdate: January 19, 1984
Age: 28
Birthplace:  Shkoder, Albania
Hometown: Shkoder, Albania
Previous Club: Rapid Vienna (Austria)
Acquired: Signed on February 2, 2012