On Tuesday the City of Washington D.C. presented United with a ceremonial resolution in honor of their 2004 MLS Championship. The event took place at the John A. Wilson Building in front of City Council. This ceremony marked the official presentation after last season's on-field presentation by Council member Carol Schwartz.
"It's an honor to have D.C. United here with us," Councilmember Schwartz said, "They represent excellence both on the field and in the community through their United for D.C. Organization. You have made D.C. proud."
The Council presented the resolution to president and CEO Kevin Payne, technical director Davie Kasper, head coach Peter Nowak and D.C. United players Mike Petke and Jaime Moreno. Councilmembers were then given D.C. United scarves and pins in appreciation for their support of United, the most successful of any Washington D.C. sports team.
Freddy all-around
Ahead of next week's ESPN the Magazine, Freddy Adu and Hilary Duff met for a photo shoot and interview in New York City. They will be featured in the weekly Hookup feature. The Hookup brings together a sports figure and an entertainment personality who have not previously met. Duff, 17, is an extremely popular singer and actress who first made a name for herself on the popular TV show "Lizzie McGuire" and since then has appeared in such films as Parent Trap and A Cinderella Story.
Also, CBS's 60 Minutes plans to update its story on Freddy Adu that was shown last season. The new piece will air this Sunday. The segment will focus on Freddy's progress, now a year older and in his second season with MLS Champions D.C. United.
Mike Petke joined Adu on Friday in congratulating a group of local teenagers who are making a difference in the community. Following United's first team meeting of the season, the pair were joined by a group of students, known as the Anacostia Explorers, who have been participating in a clean-up effort focused on an island in the Anacostia River adjacent to RFK Stadium. The children explained their purposes in performing the project and detailed their participation for the two awe-struck superstars before asking Petke and Adu a host of soccer-related questions. National Geographic, as a part of the National Geographic Educational Foundation, is documenting the project.
MLS Supplemental Draft
Major League Soccer announced that the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft will be held via teleconference call from league headquarters on Friday at 12 noon ET. The draft will consist of four rounds of 12 selections with Real Salt Lake having the first pick in each of the rounds.
The Supplemental Draft order is initially determined by reverse order of finish in 2004 with D.C. United taking the 12th, 36th, and 48th picks. The Supplemental Draft will allow MLS clubs to continue to add to their rosters, which were expanded this year to incorporate 28 players. Just as in the MLS SuperDraft held earlier this month in Baltimore, teams will have three minutes to make a selection.
Y-League success stories
Two D.C. United youth players were recently selected to Super Y-League National Olympic Development Program Teams. Brook Chang has been named to the Under-14 Girls National Team while DJ Shannon is in the running for the Under-16 Boys National Team. Chang, a forward with United's youth team, was one of 22 players selected to the ODP Select Team from more than 250 who attended the tryout. The players were evaluated on their technique, tactics, fitness and psychology and will receive written reports for feedback on their performances. D.C. United will again be supporting a host of youth teams this summer. Click here for more details.
San Jose bound
To complete their draft-day trade with San Jose, United have given the Earthquakes the rights to forward Ronald Cerritos. San Jose signed the El Salvadoran international to a contract. Cerritos was waived by United on June 21, 2004.
