WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United has announced four of its players will visit U.S. military bases as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour beginning on Sunday. Bobby Boswell, Devon McTavish, Domenic Mediate and Jamil Walker will stop at seven Pacific military bases to sign autographs and visit with American troops.
"We're all really excited about this trip and being able to meet all of the men and women who serve our country, " said Boswell. "Hopefully, we can provide some fun and entertainment, while also letting them know how much their dedication means to us. I know it will be a great experience."
The 15-day tour will take the players to military bases in Hawaii, Guam and Japan, including stops at Pearl Harbor, Japan's Camp Fuji, and Guam's Andersen Air Base. The group leaves for Honolulu on Dec. 3 and return to the U.S. on Dec. 17. In addition to meeting with servicemen and women and signing autographs, the players will hold instructional soccer clinics at selected locations. They will also distribute soccer balls to children on each of the bases they visit.
Signed as an un-drafted rookie last year, Boswell was at the heart of the United defense that gave up the third-fewest goals (38) in MLS this season. He established himself as a permanent and critical member of United's backline, starting 30 games for the Black-and-Red. This season, he was named to his first MLS All-Star Game, where he helped keep a clean sheet against English champions Chelsea FC, and claimed MLS Defender of the Year honors for his consistent play.
Another of United's bright young prospects, McTavish earned five first-team appearances this season, including three starts. The West Virginia alum made his MLS debut on 6/21, coming on as a second-half sub in the team's 1-0 win over Chicago, and got his first MLS start on 6/24 in United's 1-0 win over Kansas City. His time was limited down the stretch when he had surgery to remove a portion of his meniscus on 7/27. McTavish also contributed to the reserve team, making eight appearances (seven starts), as the team put together a 6-5-1 record.
Mediate saw his first season with D.C. cut short by an broken distal fibula, suffered in the 5-2 loss to Los Angeles on 8/26. Before his injury, however, Mediate worked his way into the United first team, making eight appearances and two starts for the club. He went the full 90 minutes in his United debut, a 2-1 win over Kansas City on 5/13. He also made seven starts for the D.C. reserves, scoring a goal and logging two assists.
A member of the 2003 MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes team, Walker continued to prove useful for the Black-and-Red, seeing time at both forward and right midfield. In 19 appearances (three starts), Walker notched a goal and an assist. Walker was also instrumental in D.C.'s run to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open Cup, scoring three goals in that competition, including a two-goal performance against New York on 8/23. He also performed well for the United reserves, scoring two goals in nine matches.
The official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to overseas U.S. military personnel, Armed Forces Entertainment hosts over 1,200 shows around the world each year, reaching over 500,000 troops at 270 military installations. Members of previous AFE tours include the Harlem Globetrotters, Kid Rock and World Wrestling Entertainment.
The full itinerary for D.C. United's Armed Forces Entertainment tour is as follows:
Dec. 3: Depart Washington D.C., arrive in Honolulu
Dec. 4-5: Visit Pearl Harbor
Dec. 6: Depart Honolulu
Dec. 7: Arrive in Guam
Dec. 8: Visit Andersen Air Base
Dec. 9: Visit Naval Base Guam
Dec. 10: Depart Guam, arrive in Japan
Dec. 11: Visit Yokota Air Base
Dec. 12: Visit Camp Zama
Dec. 14: Visit Camp Fuji
Dec. 17: Depart Japan, arrive in U.S.
