United will be sporting a new look on the field this season, and they have a new General Manager to thank. Yet the man responsible for turning over roughly a third of D.C. United's 2007 team is certainly no stranger to the Black-and-Red. Dave Kasper, formerly the team's Technical Director, was promoted to General Manager last fall - and he's wasted no time making his mark.
One of the masterminds behind D.C. United's recent on-field success, Kasper will now oversee all the team's soccer-related aspects. He's already illustrated a sharp mind for the MLS's sometimes Byzantine rules, an ability to recruit and cultivate international talent, and a nose for savvy draft picks in his five years with United, bringing 2007 MLS MVP Luciano Emilio, 2006 MLS MVP Christian Gomez, and a host of other international and American stars to the District. As General Manager, he made his biggest splash by utilizing the MLS's "Designated Player" rule for the first time in team history, installing Argentine vet Marcelo Gallardo as center midfielder. Full story »
"The professionalism and commitment of our players and front office is truly amazing and it is a pleasure to work together on a daily basis towards reaching our collective goals," said Kasper. "I look forward to continuing to work hard alongside Tom Soehn and our team staff to continue the club's success."
Kasper's an American soccer lifer, going back to his All-ACC playing days at perennial college powerhouse the University of Maryland. He first broke in with United in 2002 after serving as the New England Revolution's Director of Business Development in 2001. Along the way, he's played in the Major Indoor Soccer League and for the U-20 Men's National Team, coached at Duquesne University, and even previously GM-ed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the United Soccer League's First Division.
Combined with the promotions of former Equipment Manager Francisco Tobar to Team Administrator and David Brauzer to Equipment Manager, along with the nomination of team President and CEO Kevin Payne to the National Soccer Hall of Fame's Builders Ballot, Kasper's rise contributes to what has been a truly noteworthy few months for United's administrative staff. So even if you don't recognize everyone in the Black-and-Red on the pitch this season, you'll probably recognize the people behind it all.
