Chris Pontius

MLS Experience

2012: Pontius, United’s longest tenured player, had a career campaign in 2012. After suffering season-ending injuries in 2010 and 2011, Pontius set highs in goals (12), games played (31), games started (26), minutes (2,339), shots (71) and shots on goal (29). Six of Pontius’ 12 goals this season were game-winners, tied for the club record set in 1996 by Steve Rammel and tied for third in MLS 2012. Pontius netted his first-ever MLS hat trick in a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on 4/22. Pontius was selected to the 2012 MLS All-Star team and was named the All-Star Game’s MVP after scoring the equalizer and assisting on the game-winner en route to a 3-2 win over European champions Chelsea FC. In April, Pontius was unanimously selected by the North American Soccer Reporters as Player of the Week, making him the only player to be a two-time unanimous selection. In addition to his four end-of-season club awards –Volkswagen MVP, Volkswagen Fans’ Choice Award, Volkswagen Goal of the Year and the Golden Boot – Pontius was named to his first-ever MLS Best XI and was a runner-up to Seattle’s Eddie Johnson in the Comeback Player of the Year award.

2011: Arguably United’s most dynamic player for 2011, Pontius enjoyed a career season until suffering a broken leg on 9/10 at Chivas USA. Prior to that time, the third-year player started all 25 matches that he played in for the Black-and-Red, cementing his position on the left side of United’s midfield. In 2,114 minutes of action, Pontius recorded seven goals and five assists. He was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 22 by the North American Soccer Reporters following a two-goal outing against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 8/13. Ironically, Pontius’ best game of the season came just before his darkest moment. At the Home Depot Center on 9/10, Pontius assisted on all three of Charlie Davies’ goals against Chivas, showcasing his playmaking abilities in a convincing 3-0 triumph. Unfortunately in the 67th minute, Pontius’ season came to a close in a tackle with Chivas defender David Junior Lopes, resulting in a fractured right tibia. He is expected to a make a full recovery in time for the 2012 preseason.

2010: The striker scored two goals – both in a 6/10 match at Seattle – in 17 regular season appearances and 13 starts for United, totaling 1,189 minutes played in MLS competition. Pontius' performance at Qwest Field in June earned him the Week 12 Player of the Week Award. Only six of Pontius’ 25 shots were on goal, but they found the back of the net at a high rate when he put them on frame. Unfortunately, the forward’s season was cut short due to a hamstring injury that plagued him for much of the MLS calendar. Pontius underwent successful surgery on 9/21 after appearing in uniform for the last time on 8/28 at Chivas USA.

2009: With the seventh overall pick of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, D.C. United selected Chris Pontius out of the University of California, Santa Barbara. United fans knew they had a special player on the team after just 62 minutes of the 2009 MLS when, in D.C.’s season-opener against the LA Galaxy, the rookie scored his first goal as a professional – a beautiful, bending strike to the far post. Pontius, who was used at nearly every offensive position on the field, went on to play in all but two of the team’s 30 League games (23 starts), tallying four goals and three assists. In all competitions, his numbers are even more impressive: 40 of a total 44 games played, 31 starts, eight goals, six assists.

College Experience

2008: During his senior year, Pontius led UCSB with 14 goals. He started each of the team’s 22 games and was second on the team in minutes (1,883). Following his senior campaign, Pontius was named as a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, a member of College Soccer News All-American Second Team, to the NSCAA All-American Third Team, and the All-Far West First Team.

2007: In his junior year, Pontius led the Big West conference with 11 goals and was honored as the Big West Offensive Player of the Year. He played in 21 games (19 starts) and was also named to the All-Big West First Team.

2006: Pontius’ versatility was on display during his sophomore season, as he played in 23 matches (22 starts). Though he was primarily used as a left midfielder he also saw time both in the defense and as a forward. He scored a goal and contributed two assists.

2005: During his freshman year, Pontius played in 20 of 21 matches, making five starts for the Gauchos. He scored his first career goal against Northwestern, and finished the season with a total of three.