Following their season-ending loss to New England on Sunday, D.C. United players made their way to RFK Stadium Tuesday to undergo exit physicals with Dr. Chris Annunziata. The players will reconvene Wednesday for one last team meeting before they go their separate ways for the offseason.
After ending the season with a tough 1-0 loss to New England, United can take some solace in the fact that this offseason will be a short one. By winning their third Supporters' Shield title, the Black-and-Red ensured that they will be playing in next year's CONCACAF Champions' Cup, which typically kicks off in the third week of February. To prepare for the competition, the team will likely return to began preparation in late January.
Despite coming up short in the Eastern Conference Championships, the Black-and-Red still have plenty to hold their heads high about this season. The team regained the Supporters' Shield trophy for the first time since 1999 and boasted a team record 14-match unbeaten streak earlier in the season.
United also established themselves as an international force in 2006, beating Scotland's Celtic FC 4-0 and recording an impressive 1-1 draw against mighty Real Madrid, arguably the world's most famous and most successful club. In addition, D.C. sent eight All-Stars (a team record) to the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, where the MLS team dispatched English champions Chelsea FC 1-0.
Special presentation
At the team's final home game against the New England Revolution on Sunday, D.C. United took the opportunity to welcome Mark Tuohey, the chairman of the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission. In a brief ceremony prior to the match, Senior Vice President Stephen Zack presented Tuohey with a D.C. United home jersey. Emblazoned with the word "Stadium" and the number "09" on the back, the jersey referenced the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission's plans to assist United in getting their new soccer-specific facility at Poplar Point built for the 2009 season.
United continue to see positive signs in their plans for a stadium in Anacostia, as Tuohey, outgoing Mayor Anthony Williams, and leading mayoral candidate Adrian Fenty have all expressed their support for a new facility for the Black-and-Red.
Goal of the Year
Facundo Erpen's 40-yard wonder strike against New York has been short-listed for the MLS Goal of the Year award. Heading into the final week of voting, the field has been narrowed down to the top five goals. Erpen, the lone United representative, looks to become only the second D.C. player to capture the MLS Goal of the Year prize. The legendary Marco Etcheverry took home the award in both 1997 and 1999.
The final round of voting concludes on Nov. 8, with the winner to be announced on Nov. 10. To cast your vote for your favorite goal, click here >
