DC United to Play Kickers

Plus other odds and ends from United’s first week of the pre-season.

Mike Martin

January 31, 2008

Andrew Jackson in action during the 2008 MLS PLayer Combine

Andrew Jackson in action during the 2008 MLS PLayer Combine
Photo: Andy Mead/YSS

DC United announced today that the team’s last pre-season tune-up before the start of the MLS season will be against the Richmond Kickers at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7 PM on March 22. United travels to Kansas City for their first MLS match on March 29.

Washington, D.C. “To host DC United’s first team is a wonderful way to kick-off our 15th anniversary celebration,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Vice President, Soccer Programs. “We are much honored to be able to play DC United a week before their MLS season opener. The exhibition will be challenging as our players will just have begun their preseason program but as always, I am sure they, along with our staff and fans, will be looking forward to the match up immensely.”

United has played Richmond quite a bit over the years due to their proximity mostly as exhibitions, and currently the series is tied at 3-3-1 overall. The two clubs have met in anger only twice and each time was in the Open Cup where Richmond knocked out DC in 2004, and United got revenge knocking out the Kickers a year later. The Kickers did win the last time they met 3-2 last year as United fielded a mostly reserve lineup during a tough stretch of their season.

Richmond now plays in the USL second division and remains among the elite USL teams having won the second division crown as recently as 2006. Richmond also boasts a few players with MLS experience including former United winger Mike Burke and reserve forward Robert Ssjjemba, as well as Ricky Schramm drafted by DC last year, but not signed.

There is always a lively contingent of United fans that travel to Richmond for these games, so look for the Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles, and La Norte to be there in full voice. Tickets can be bought in advance for $15 at RichmondKickers.com

United Loses Another Draftee

After losing top defensive pick Jay Needham last year, United’s top pick in the 2008 draft Andrew Jacobson decided to sign a six month contract in France with Lorient of the French first division that keeps him in France until the conclusion of their season in May. United still retains the rights to him in MLS should he return at that time from what is essentially an extended trial with the French club.

Obviously, it’s a bit of a shame that a promising young American player can be paid more on trial in France then he could developing on an MLS team, but this situation highlights the pitfalls and inequities of the MLS draft system. Look for an editorial on this site next week discussing the MLS draft in depth, but after losing Jacobson this year and Needham last year, it means Brandon Prideaux was essentially traded away after the 2006 season for nothing.

That’s right, Prideaux wanted to be traded closer to home and to a team where he was likely to play more, so United accommodated him by making a sweetheart deal with Colorado for him. DC United only got a third round pick in 2007 and a second round pick this year for a solid MLS veteran with two MLS Cups on his resume. And you guessed it, those picks were used on Needham last year, who jumped ship for more money in USL and on Jacobson, who will miss the lion’s share of this season at best if he ever comes back at all. Clearly, United came out on the short end of that stick.

Off to Bradenton

DC flew to Bradenton Florida for the first leg of its pre-season training Wednesday. They have exhibitions scheduled against the U-17s, U-23s, Toronto FC, Odense of the Danish league, and KC to be played on (in order) Feb 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 12th.

Then it’s off to California for the second leg of training from Feb 15-25, with a rumor that United will scrimmage the newly reformed San Jose Earthquakes, who are coached by former United assistant coach Frank Yallop.

Finally, DC will fly to San Antonio from Feb 29th to March 10 where they will participate in the Texas Pro Soccer Festival March 3-9 against Toronto on the 5th, ChivasUSA on the 7th, and Houston on the 9th. Round Robin tournament winner decided by record. More infor at Texasprosoccerfest.com.

United returns to DC only to fly right out again to Jamaica for their first round match of the Concacaf Champions Cup against Harbour View March 12.

Post your comment: items in bold and red are required.

Captcha image