DCU pulls out a solid win tonight in preseason over defending champions Real Salt Lake.  We saw a great performance overall from our defense save for a few scary moments later on in the first half, and our offensive efforts delivered on big opportunities.

Man of the Match: Jamie Moreno shows everyone he can still be an impact player.  A lot of good touches all game long, good hustle, and scores both of DCU’s two goals.  The second was the more important one; aside from being the game-winner, it’s gotta feel good to be able to execute on a set piece early on in the season.  The first was Moreno capitalizing on a lucky rebound and poor positioning from Rimando, chipping in for the equalizer after RSL converted on a questionable penalty kick call.

Hard to evaluate Allsopp tonight as he wasn’t afforded any really clean chances to score.  It looked like an adjustment towards a more conservative style bore fruit for DCU in the second half.  To us, the key difference between these teams tonight was that DCU was able to take advantage of defensive mistakes made by RSL, while RSL’s attackers weren’t able to do the same when our defense left the door open.  We saw some good work from Perkins tonight, with the only goal coming off the afore mentioned PK.

Tonight DC United squares off against defending MLS champions Real Salt Lake. The match is set to begin at 5pm at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina as part of the Carolina Challenge Cup. On Wednesday, in the same competition, United will face the Charleston Battery, followed by Toronto FC on Saturday, March 20th.

United managed to draw with the Columbus Crew, MLS champions from 2 seasons ago, and New York Red Bulls, but the team has seemed to lack offensive venom. Earlier this week, DC played a friendly match against Santos Laguna, a Mexican side. United won the game on goals from Moreno, Pontius and Barklage. This win, although only a friendly, could mark a paradyme shift in United’s preseason. Tonight we will find out.

Their performance, although difficult to analyze due to lack of broadcast coverage, seemed to be hardly anything to write home about. The trend in sports is to overanalyze these preseason encounters. There are not many conclusions to be drawn from these United results, and here’s why. At such an early point in the season DC United’s new head coach, Curt Onalfo, is undoubtedly still ironing out his plans. This is evidenced by the constant changing of starting lineups and numerous substitutions. I am sure he has a good idea of who will be starting in which position, but in some areas questions still remain. Furthermore, it’s apparent that United is still questioning whether they need to add depth at several positions, the most obvious of which is defense.

With Marc Burch’s injury, Rodney Wallace will get the nod at left back, something I’ve been waiting almost a year to see. With his work rate, and some defensive discipline, he could be very successful in this position. Center back is an area of serious concern. Last season Dejan Jackovic featured regularly in central defense, but with Burch and Namoff questionable for the next few weeks who will step up to fill this role?

Tonight the team will depart from the “friendly” atmosphere of its earlier encounters and enter the realm of a true competition. In the broader sense the Challenge Cup is not a top priority for the organization, however with the season drawing near, United will put a tentative starting roster on the pitch tonight, as will the defending MLS champions. We will start to see, for the first time, how this team is really taking shape, and get a general idea of what to expect from the newest iteration of the Black and Red.

Check back here on Screaming-Eagles.com for updates after the match.

Key Roster Rundown

·        Forwards Yuri Movsisyan and Robbie Findley make up RSL's main strike partnership

·        GK Nick Rimando

·        MF Kyle Beckerman in an attacking role; he's seen some recent callups with the USMNT, and his signature dreads make him instanly recognizable

·        Manager Jason Kreiss has a heady season ahead of him, carrying the confidence of winning a championship the previous season but also certainly feeling the pressures that come along with defending a title.

Prospectus

Lets be fair: despite being the current title holder, RSL spent last season wallowing in mediocrity, and just barely managed to slide into the playoffs.  Remember that four-way log jam at the end of the season?  (Maybe you don't want to…)  It was partly due to DCU falling flat at the finish line that allowed RSL the berth, and Rimando is owed heaps of credit for keeping things above water in the postseason.  Now their goal is to build off of last season's success and become a perennial contender rather than a high-seeded underdog.

All that said, and regardless of this match being preseason, DCU will have their hands full tonight.  We fully expect this to be an actual 'first look' at DCU's core lineup for this season and how it plays against a fellow MLS side sporting their first-stringers as well. 

Talkback

Will RSL be a threat in the MLS landscape this season?

• Membership Renewal Mailing
• National Marathon
• Kick-Off Shindig and Viewing Party
• SE Table for the United for D.C. Luncheon
• Philly Union Roadtrips Update

Coming To A Mailbox Near You

We will be sending out the 2010 SE Membership Mailing next week, so make sure you check for it amongst all that wonderful junk mail that keeps the USPS operational.

If you would like to help in the monster stuffing party on Saturday, please do not hesitate to send us a note.

For those that would like to get theirs in immediately, just follow the steps found on the Membership page.

Is It In You?

For those of you not venturing forth to Charleston, please consider helping out United Builds with an aid station at RFK for the National Marathon.

As in past years, there is plenty of Gatorade and water to hand out to those tired and thirsty types as we show some true DC spirit!

For more information, you can contact Kat Cheshire at KCheshire@dcunited.com or sign up directly online here.

Grab Your Friends

The evening’s entertainment on Saturday, March 27th is free for one and all as we begin the season with a bang. So plan on joining us at the Kick-Off Shindig and viewing party at Continental.

However, for you more competitive types that would like to participate in the A-SPAN Bar Triathlon, teams are already forming.

Speaking of Kick-Offs

We have a few seats remaining at the SE table for the Eighth Annual Kick-Off Luncheon at the Renaissance on April 1st to support all the wonderful programs run by the charitable arm of DC United.

Individual seats are normally $150, but we are yet again providing members a significant discount by sponsoring a table. If you would like to join in on this special event for only $110 – we would be pleased to reserve a seat for you. Please drop a note to outreach@screaming-eagles.com

You Gotta Know When to Hold ‘em

Don’t get left behind on the bus trips for the Union match on April 10th!

There are only a half-dozen seats left on the Atlantic City option and we have already had to go to a second bus for the day-of-game trek.

Tickets for the match are already at stratospheric levels and will probably be the largest contingent of SE’s we’ve ever had for a road trip.

The temperatures are finally warming up and Spring is definitely in the air… so we all know what that means!

It is time to get the ball rolling on the season, and what better way to celebrate together in style?

Our Kick-off Shindig this year is going to be one to remember as we are teaming up with the United Skeeball Association to make this a very special event indeed.

Soccer, Suds and Saving Lives

We are joining in on the A-SPAN.org Bar Game Triathlon!

Obviously, Lot 8 is not exactly ready for action yet – but we are certain that the SE’s and our friends are primed for action.

So let’s begin the party and get the competitive juices flowing for the season-opening viewing party for DC United.

That’s right – Skeeball, Shoot Out, Tailgate Toss and lots of soccer – what’s not to love?

As always, plenty of fab prizes, awesome raffles and surprises galore.

So mark it down on your calendar right now:

What:         2010 Kick-off Shindig
When:        Saturday, March 27th
Time:          6pm – Long after the DC United Victory over KC
Where:       Continental Modern Pool Lounge

Taking On All Comers

Come on down with all of your friends (21yrs. old and over) , consider forming a team and prepare for the most fun you’ve had in ages!

Whether you are playing on one of the teams or cheering them on during the course of the evening, it is all for a great cause!!

As we all struggled during this winter for the ages, A-SPAN.org was out there helping those most in need in our community and we are pleased to be able assist this wonderful charity.

This evening will exemplify what our club is all about – Our Team, Each Other, Our Community.

By the time the match comes on the big screen, everyone will be a winner this night.

Care to Compete?

Teams will compete in all 3 sports until a final victor emerges!
Registration costs just $8.50 a player and will cover:

• your commemorative Player T-Shirt
• the cost of all the games
• your first drink (from our Drink Sponsors)
• a donation to A-SPAN.org.

Then throughout the night each drink you order from our sponsors will result in an additional donation!
Those who register here with their RSVP before March 15th are ensured of getting the correct shirt size!

Come Lend a Hand

As this will be the first event of the season, there will be plenty of other fun things going on as well. We just wanted to whet your appetite. We will have more details on all the fabulous prizes and our much-anticipated raffle drawing in the coming weeks.

Whether you want to sign up for one of the upcoming road trips, discuss your latest tailgate idea or just want to hand-deliver your membership renewal there will be plenty of opportunity to do so prior to our boys in Black and Red taking the field to demolish Curt Onalfo’s previous squad.

If you have any questions, are interested in assisting in the run-up to this event or would like to help out during the evening itself, please send a note to us at outreach@screaming-eagles.com

While we still hope that the entire First Family will join us at RFK Stadium when we take on the Chicago Fire, it is still pretty darn cool to see her with Jaime Moreno, Eddie Pope and even Talon. Oh, yes and a host of soccer dignitaries as well.

She is jumping in to help highlight the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s commitment to the national fight against childhood obesity and support for her Let’s Move! campaign that emphasizes the importance of children getting 60 minutes of active play each day.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Major League Soccer, Women’s Professional Soccer, adidas, Eurosport, Univision, and LazyTown entertainment all recognize the unique power of soccer as a tool in the national fight against childhood obesity, and are excited about collaborating with First Lady, Michelle Obama, on her Let’s Move! initiative. By harnessing our collective and complementary strengths we will help her achieve the goal of bringing an end to childhood obesity in a generation.

Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

We are honored that the First Lady has joined us for the launch of this unique partnership between the Passback program and ¡Vive tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving! Last year over 400 local partners joined ¡Vive tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!™ to deliver fun and exciting ways for people of all ages and all sizes to make movement a daily part of their lives. We are committed to bringing the First Lady’s Let’s Move! effort to all communities to help raise a healthier generation of kids.

Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health

During the event, the U.S. Soccer Foundation will announce a new and ambitious partnership with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health that brings together the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback Tour and the Alliance’s ¡Vive tu Vida! Get Up! Get Moving!™ the nation’s largest Hispanic family health lifestyle event series with over 15,000 participants annually.

The combined tour will provide children and their families in 25 U.S. cities with free health screenings and soccer clinics that emphasize the importance of physical activity, proper diet and healthy lifestyles and connect families with local soccer programs that will help children achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Participants of all ages will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of other activities including tennis and other sports clinics, family health walks, yoga, dance lessons, and learn about programs in their community to help families make physical activity a part of their daily lives.

Yo, Rocky! You’ve Got Options

The time has come to step through the ropes and get in the ring.

Our roadtrip crew has been hard at work putting together a variety of packages to make it easy for the Black and Red hordes to swarm into Philly.

Philadelphia Union hosts DC United
Lincoln Financial Field
April 10th
6pm

Option 1 – tickets only $25 for members and $27 for non-members. If you want tickets mailed, extra $2 per address.

Option 2 – ticket + ground transportation $55 for members and $60 for non-members. The itinerary for DC to Philadelphia on April 10th is as follows:

Leave Summer’s Restaurant in Arlington on Saturday at 11:00am.
Drive to New Carrollton Metro Station and leave at 11:30am.
If there is anyone from the Baltimore area we will pick them up at 12:15pm in a location TBD.
If there is no one from the Baltimore area we will then head directly to Philadelphia.
Match is at 6:00 pm
Return after game

Option 3 – ticket + ground transportation + Atlantic City hotel on Friday night $130 for members and $140 for non-members.

This option is being run in conjunction with Barra Brava.   
We will be using the Courtyard by Marriott at 1212 Pacific Ave in Atlantic City

The itinerary for Atlantic City is as follows:

Leave Summer’s Restaurant in Arlington on Friday April 9th at 1:30pm. 
Drive to New Carrollton Metro Station and leave at 2:00pm. 
If there is anyone from the Baltimore area we will pick them up at 2:45pm in a location TBD. 
If there is no one from the Baltimore area we will then head directly to Atlantic City.

We’ll let you know when to be back on the bus for the game.

Details about tailgating with be announced at a later time.

So waddaya waiting for champ?

Send in your request to join in this epic tussle to roadtrips@screaming-eagles.com

Age:  31
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190lbs

Notable past experience:

From 1998 to 2005 Allsopp spent time in England. He played in such Second Division clubs as Manchester City, Hull City, and Notts County. Although he tallied plenty of scores during his time in the U.K., the English Second Division was, overall, the third division in English football.

After returning home to Australia to play for the Melbourne Victory, Allsopp enjoyed the most prolific time in his career. In 89 appearances he scored 36 goals and in 2006 he was awarded the A-league’s Golden Boot award. In 2008, Melbourne Victory won the A-League grand final.

Allsopp has failed to make any sort of impression at the international level.

What he brings to DC:

Allsopp at first glance is a physical player.

I get the impression that he is a bit of an unknown quantity. He clearly knows how to score goals but it is unclear where his level of skill is compared to the rest of the MLS.

At 6'1" and 190lbs he’s a big boy. In my estimation he will be a point man. DC United has had trouble in the final third, and someone who has a nose for the back of the net fills a definite gap in the teams’ roster. Another thing he brings to the table is experience. At age 31 he has seen his share of games and will hopefully be able to impart some of his knowledge to the younger strikers, Boyzzz Khumalo, Chris Pontius and Adam Cristman.

Interestingly he seems physically quite similar to Adam Cristman who is just an inch shorter and 10lbs lighter.

That’s right – Bob Bradley’s boys sporting the Red, White and Blue take on Turkey in the US Men’s National Team’s sendoff match to South Africa.

By popular demand, we will be running some buses up to Philly for those who want to take part in this historic soccer event.

After all, the next chance you have to see the US National team live – you will have to deal with more than a few hundred vuvuzelas!

Not to mention a little flight across the ocean…

So for those who may not be able to afford the trek to Rustenberg, Jo’burg or Pretoria… we have the next best thing.

US Men’s National Team World Cup Sendoff Match Roadtrip

What:          USA vs. Turkey
When:         Saturday, May 29th
Time:           2pm
Stadium:    Lincoln Financial Field
Where:       Philadelphia, PA

We will be departing from various locations in the area on Saturday morning and returning to RFK Stadium so that you can catch the DC United – Chivas USA match (or as much of the MLS match as traffic allows).

So, if you’re interested in hopping on board, please send a note to Jimi at roadtrips@screaming-eagles.com so he can get you on the list.

The transportation is a comfortable bus complete with all the amenities you would expect for such an occasion and is priced at a mere $30… so seats will go quite fast!

*** Match tickets are not included ***

If you want the full-throated supporter’s experience we suggest you act quickly and join in on the American Outlaws ticket deal for their endline tickets.

The season is fast approaching and we have a number of activities coming up before the snow melts that you can sign up for:

Saturday, March 13th - Tubing Trip

Saturday, March 20th - United Builds – National Marathon

Thursday, April 1st - Eighth Annual Kick-off Luncheon

Saturday, April 10th – Philly Roadtrip(s)

Tubular, Man!

Come and join the Screaming Eagles for some pre-season fun in the snow!

Don’t worry, this doesn’t involve any shoveling.

The SE’s are organizing a tubing trip to Liberty Mountain on Saturday, March 13th.

We’ll leave for Liberty, which is only a little over an hour away, and plan spending some quality tubing time and having a blast.

Cost is TBA depending on how many people sign up (group rates for over 20). If we have enough folks sign up, we’ll arrange for a bus!

If you’re interested in joining in, driving or just want to know more – contact SE social dude Ben Owen at social@screaming-eagles.com.

Hope to see you there!

The Race is On – Again!

Get ready to rock on March 20, 2010!

The time has come to lend our spirit & volunteer action at the SunTrust National Marathon!!

We will once again be joining in on a United Builds aid station in the RFK parking lot to supply the brave marathon runners with fuel & energy!!

Last year’s Samba beat is being replaced by a Rock&Roll theme to keep the runners going! So break out your rocker shades  and join us on this Saturday morning venture.

You can sign up directly here or drop us a note at outreach@screaming-eagles.com for more info.

The Table is Set

Join us for the Eighth Annual Kick-Off Luncheon to support the wonderful programs run by United for D.C.

Thursday, April 1, 2010 12 – 2 p.m.
at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel – Renaissance Ballroom
999 9th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

As always, we will be sponsoring a table and you can get a seat for just $110, so if you would like to attend this worthwhile event please drop a note to outreach@screaming-eagles.com.

Union Busters Roadtrips

Yup! We have a new rival in that little burg to the North famous for cheesesteaks. So let’s crack a cowbell or two as we cheer our beloved Black and Red on in Philly.

If you want to get in on either the overnight Atlantic City version of the roadtrip or just the day up and back affair  – just drop Jimi a note to roadtrips@screaming-eagles.com as the bus lists are filling up fast!