WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United announced Friday the selection of defender Ezra Hendrickson to the 23-man roster for St. Vincent & The Grenadines's World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago on August 18. Hendrickson will depart for his island nation on Sunday following United's match against the New England Revolution and will return next Thursday to be available for selection in United's game August 21st against the Columbus Crew.
"We wish Ezra the best of luck in qualifying," said Dave Kasper, United technical director. "He is in great form and has been a terrific addition to United."
Hendrickson currently has 50 caps for the St. Vincent & The Grenadines national team, earning seven of those caps during the qualifying process for World Cup 2002. He led the team to a 6-3 aggregate victory over Nicaragua to advance to the semifinal round of CONCACAF's qualifying for World Cup 2006.
He struck net early in his tenure with the Black-and-Red, nodding home a goal against Nottingham Forest on July 14. In his seven league appearances, five of which have been starts, he has yet to tally a goal, but has added needed depth to the United defensive line and an occasional spark to the attack.
The lanky 6'3" defender was drafted by the MetroStars in 1997 and made eight appearances before a trade sent him to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Over the next seven years, he appeared in 145 matches for the Galaxy - including a start in MLS Cup 2002 - tallying 17 goals and adding 26 assists. A July 2003 trade sent Hendrickson to the Dallas Burn, where he made 16 appearances (15 starts), picking up a goal and an assist.
