Four members of the Black-and-Red hit major career milestones in last week’s match versus the Philadelphia Union, and three additional players have the potential to hit career milestones of their own in tomorrow’s match against New York City FC.
Midfielder Nick DeLeon made his 150th career Major League Soccer appearance and his 135th career MLS start last Saturday, with all appearances coming in a Black-and-Red uniform. DeLeon has the the third-most appearances with United among current players after only Bobby Boswell and Bill Hamid.
Midfielder Marcelo Sarvas made his 145th career MLS appearance against Philadelphia. Sarvas began his career with the LA Galaxy in 2012, spent a year with the Colorado Rapids in 2015, and joined United in 2016, earning 32 appearances with the Black-and-Red.
Winger Patrick Nyarko, who has the fourth-most career starts among current United players, earned his 175th career MLS start last weekend. While Nyarko spent the first eight years of his career with the Chicago Fire, the Ghanaian regularly features in the Black-and-Red’s starting lineup, and has made 27 starts for United since coming to D.C. in 2016.
Forward José Ortiz earned his first career MLS start against the Union last weekend. Saturday may have only been Ortiz’s first start, but it was a big match for the Costa Rican—he also netted his first career MLS brace in his 70 minutes played.
This Saturday, Lloyd Sam has the opportunity to make his 100th career MLS start against New York City FC. Seventeen of his 99 starts have come in a Black-and-Red uniform since joining United in July of 2016. Sam is the ninth United player to make 100 career MLS starts, joining Bobby Boswell (351 starts), Sean Franklin (233 starts), Sébastien Le Toux (199 starts), Nyarko (175 starts), Bill Hamid (164 starts), DeLeon (135 starts), Sarvas (131 starts), and Lamar Neagle (118 starts).
Hamid and Neagle could also hit impressive career marks in tomorrow’s match. Hamid can make his 165th career MLS start and appearance, with all appearances coming in a Black-and-Red Uniform.
Neagle could also make his 175th career MLS appearance against New York City. Neagle joined the club in 2016 and has made 35 appearances with the Black-and-Red.
