WASHINGTON – When D.C. United take the field Saturday evening against the Columbus Crew, one of their new offseason acquisitions will don the captain’s armband.
Head coach Ben Olsen revealed during Wednesday’s Kickoff Luncheon that midfielder Dax McCarty is going to captain D.C. throughout the 2011 campaign. The announcement was made while introducing the 2011 United roster to those in attendance.
Olsen had made it a point to go out and trade for McCarty when he became available during last fall’s expansion draft, acquiring him in exchange for Rodney Wallace from the Portland Timbers.
McCarty succeeds club legend and current all-time MLS leading goal scorer Jaime Moreno as captain. The US midfielder is excited for a new season in a new place, but knows the work ahead in a new season is going to be tough.
“We know that it’s going to be a challenge, but at the same time, I think the coaching staff, first and foremost, has done a good job of bringing in the right guys to turn this program around back where it needs to be,” McCarty said after Tuesday’s training session.
“You do that by building character guys, good locker room guys and then guys that have the same mentality as the coach. I think everyone in here is on the same page, and that’s going to show in our play.”
Notes
D.C. United also officially announced an extended partnership with local affiliate Comcast Sports Net, who will carry 17 regular season games in the area market during the 2011 season.
The team also revealed it has officially signed goalkeeper Joe Willis, a third round draft pick.
