A select group of players will travel Tuesday southward to Richmond, Va., where the team will take on the reigning USL Second Division Champion Kickers in a friendly. The two teams met last year in an exhibition, but the 0-0 game was called after just 20 minutes due to lightning. It was the second time D.C. and Richmond encountered problems with lightning as the two teams had an exhibition in 1999 also was terminated (the Kickers led 1-0 at the time the match was called).
Current United midfielder Clyde Simms spent one season in Richmond (2004), while former United players Robert Ssejjemba, Mike Burke and 2007 SuperDraft pick Ricky Scrhraam currently ply their trade with the Kickers. Richmond is undefeated (7-0-2) and currently sits in second place with two games in hand over the first place Charlotte Eagles (8-3).
Casal called on
D.C. United rookie midfielder Kasali Yinka Casal departed D.C. on Sunday for his birth country of Nigeria. The 19-year has been called in by Nigerian Football Association as they work to determine the Nigerian U-20 National Team final roster for the U-20 World Cup. The tournament will be held in Canada from June 30-July 22 and already includes a United midfielder, as Bryan Arguez was named last week to the U.S. U-20 National Team.
Casal has past experience with the Nigerian U-20 National team, participating in an African Nations qualifier against Rwanda last September and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005. Nigeria has been placed in Group F along with Costa Rica, Japan, and Scotland. It is expected that Nigeria will name its final roster within the week.
Man of the Match
There are currently two game-worn and autographed jerseys up for bid on the D.C. United auction page. You can now bid for the jersey Ben Olsen wore when he scored his first career hat trick against the New York Red Bulls on June 10, while Fred's kit from the club's 0-0 draw with LA on June 2 is also available. Bid now >
Team photo
Last week, the club took its official 2007 team photo. BobbyBoswell.com has some behind-the-scenes photo of the event. Check them out here >
