Dwayne De Rosario

PROFESSIONAL

2012: Coming off an MLS MVP and Budweiser Golden Boot year, De Rosario added another monster MLS year under his belt. Despite missing the final seven regular-season matches due to an MCL injury, De Rosario’s 12 assists was the second-best career total in the 14 seasons he has been featured in the League, just one shy of the 13 he tallied in 2005 with the San Jose Earthquakes. The playmaker's seven strikes in the 2012 campaign also saw him join the 100-goal club, a feat that has only been accomplished by six other players in MLS history. De Rosario achieved the century mark on August 29, 2012 in a 2-2 draw against Atlantic Cup rival the New York Red Bulls.

2011: Compiling his finest professional campaign in an accomplished 11-season MLS career, De Rosario captured the 2011 Budweiser Golden Boot with 16 League goals. This scoring mark was a single season record for the Canadian, who was pivotal to D.C. United’s postseason push after joining the Black-and-Red on 6/27 in a trade with New York that sent Dax McCarty in the opposite direction. In 18 games (17 starts) with United, De Rosario recorded 13 goals and seven assists, earning him the club’s Volkswagen MVP Award, Golden Boot and Fans’ Choice . He became the first player in team history to record two regular season hat tricks in the same season, putting together three-goal performances against former club Toronto FC on 8/6 and Real Salt Lake on 9/24. De Rosario’s scoring outburst against RSL was the fastest hat trick in MLS history, as the attacking midfielder recorded goals in the 22nd, 27th and 31st minutes. He was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 28 with this performance, having also earned POTW honors in Weeks 20 and 21. De Rosario is the only player in D.C. United history to claim three Player of the Week Awards in one season, and he is the only player in MLS history to score for three teams in the same campaign. De Rosario began 2011 in Toronto before being traded to the New York Red Bulls on 4/1, recording two goals for the Reds. In New York De Rosario logged two goals and four assists in 13 League games (12 starts) before being dealt to United at mid-season. Interestingly, De Rosario scored against all of his former clubs that he played against with the Black-and-Red, including the match-winning goal at Red Bull Arena on 7/9, a brace at San Jose on 7/30 and the hat trick against Toronto FC on 8/6

2010: Enjoyed a career-best goal scoring season, notching 15 goals along with three assists in 27 appearances. Made 24 starts. Named to the MLS Best XI for the fifth time, and was also named an All-Star, scoring a goal in the All-Star game against Manchester United. Was a two-time MLS Player of the Week, picking up the honor in Week 5 and Week 10.

2009: Made 28 appearances, including 27 starts, scoring 11 goals and adding six assists in his first season with Toronto FC. Led the team in goals, assists and shots, and was second on the team in minutes played with 2,444. Was named to the Starting XI of the MLS All-Star team, but did not appear due to CONCACAF Champions League play. Was named the MVP of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Toronto FC Player of the Year, and MLS Best XI team.

2008: Enjoyed his third consecutive All-Star season, scoring seven goals and two assists in 24 games for the Houston Dynamo. Also competed in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, including a Man of the Match performance on March 19 vs. Municipal. Also featured in four SuperLiga matches.

2007: Won his fourth MLS Cup Championship, scoring the Cup-winning goal and was named MLS Cup MVP in the Dynamo’s 2-1 defeat over New England. Scored six goals and four assists in 24 regular season matches. Named to the MLS All-Star squad that faced Scottish club Celtic. Named to MLS Best XI for third consecutive season.

2006: Appeared in 30 matches, starting 29, and scored 11 goals while adding five assists in helping Houston capture the MLS Cup Championship. Was a finalist for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Registered four assists in a single game on April 2 versus Colorado. Scored lone goal in MLS All-Star game, a 1-0 win for the league over Chelsea. Converted the Dynamo’s fourth penalty kick in the MLS Cup final. Was named to MLS Best XI team.

2005: Earned fist MLS Best XI selection of his career, and was the runner-up for the MLS MVP award. Had nine goals and led the league with 13 assists in 28 appearances with the San Jose Earthquakes. Was awarded with the MLS Goal of the Year. Named Honda MLS Player of the Month for the month of October.

2004: Played in 21 games, including 12 starts. Scored five goals and added three assists. Goal vs. D.C. on Aug. 7 was named MLS Goal of the Year.

2003: Helped the Earthquakes win MLS Cup, his second career title. Scored first career hat trick on Sept. 27 vs. Dallas. Played in a total of 11 games, making six starts. Registered four goals and three assists.

2002: Played in 27 games, starting 18. Scored four goals and added eight assists. Also appeared in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.

2001: Scored five goals and four assists in his debut season in MLS. Was named MLS Cup MVP, scoring the winning goal six minutes into overtime against Los Angeles Galaxy. Made 21 regular season appearances, starting 11 games.

2000: Played for Richmond Kickers of the A-League. Scored 15 goals, leading the club to a 20-6-1 record.

1999: Signed with the Richmond Kickers, and scored two goals and five assists in his first season with the club.

1997-98: Signed with German club FSV Zwickau. Appeared in 12 total matches, scoring one goal.

1997: Made professional debut with the Toronto Lynx of the A-League at age 18. Appeared in seven matches and scored three goals.

INTERNATIONAL

Has earned 55 caps for the Canadian National Team, and has scored 15 international goals. Was named Canadian Male Player of the Year three consecutive years, from 2005-07. In 2007, scored five goals in international play, the most for a Canadian player in one season since 1993. Scored two goals in 2007 Gold Cup. Appeared for Canada in 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Was a key member of Canada’s 2000 Gold Cup winning side. Made international debut on May 18, 1998 vs. Macedonia. Also featured for Canada’s U-20 side, winning the Golden Boot and co-MVP award in the 1997 CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

PERSONAL 

Married to Brandy, who is an African dance choreographer and has her own company, Irunmole Dance and Drum Theatre … Has one daughter and two sons … Grew up in Scarborough, Ontario … Enjoys being a Reggae DJ, and listening to reggae music … Eats Ital cuisine (only natural foods, vegetarian) … Excellent cook of Ital cuisine, favorite dish is Curry Au Roti … Parents emigrated to Canada from Guyana in mid-1970s … Speaks Guyanese Creole while with family … Brother is a vegetarian chef and other brother is into business … Played basketball competitively into mid-teens for the Toronto Select … Also participated in volleyball, baseball, badminton, and swimming while growing up … Favorite music album is "Babylon by Bus" by Bob Marley and the Wailers … Lists favorite athlete growing up as Pele because "he was a world-class player, on and off the field" … If not playing soccer, would be in either the music industry or playing basketball.