Perry Kitchen

MLS EXPERIENCE

2015: Kitchen once again was a reliable staple in the Black-and-Red midfield, surpassing at least 2700 minutes for the fifth consecutive year, dating back to his rookie season in 2011. The Indiana native has also been named to the league’s Best 24 Under 24 every year over that same stretch. The midfielder scored twice against New York Red Bulls on April 11 and once in United’s 6-4 win over Real Salt Lake on August 1. Kitchen recorded the game-tying assist in a 3-3 draw at Montego Bay United FC in the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

2014: Kitchen had his best offensive output in another durable season with the Black-and-Red, with a career-high five goals and a career high-matching four assists in 31 games (31 starts). He recorded his first two career game-winning goals against Toronto FC on July 5 and Chivas USA on July 20. During the offseason, Kitchen received his first Men's National Team call-up.

2013: Perry Kitchen continues to prove his worth in DC. Named D.C. United's Most Valuable Player after the season, Kitchen's star qualities are still shining as he continues to improve, gain experience and become a leader for the Black-and-Red. The defensive midfielder played and started 31 MLS games this season, only missing three. Kitchen scored one goal against the Philadelphia Union on 4/21in a 3-2 loss at RFK. The young midfielder also recorded four assists on the year, leading the Black-and-Red in that category. Additionally,Kitchen played a huge role in United's 2013 U.S. Open Cup title, starting and playing all five matches in the road to victory.  

2012: After a stellar inaugural MLS campaign that saw him selected as a Rookie of the Year finalist, Kitchen continued to be a bedrock in United’s midfield. Kitchen appeared and started in 32 games, missing only two games in March to be with the U-23 U.S. Men’s National Team for 2012 Olympic qualifying. His 2,804 minutes played in 2012 was only one shy of tying the club’s previous single-season record for minutes (2,805), held by Jeff Agoos in 1996. Teammate Brandon McDonald now holds the highest mark, with 2,963 minutes logged in 2012. Kitchen recorded his first-ever MLS assist in a 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact on April 18

2011: Kitchen became the only rookie in United’s 16-year history to lead the team in minutes played (2,726) during his inaugural MLS season. The 19-year-old played in 31 MLS matches (30 starts), missing only three league contests due to international duty with United States U-20’s. He recorded his first and only goal of 2011 on 5/29 at Portland, opening United’s scoring in a memorable 3-2 win at JELD-WEN Field. Kitchen continually proved his worth to Ben Olsen’s side, playing right back, center back and defensive midfield at various points in his rookie campaign. His versatile and gutsy performances set him apart at the League level, and Kitchen was recognized as a 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

2011: After a successful first season in MLS, Kitchen remained in Germany following U.S. U-23 National Team duty to train with Bundesliga side SC Freiburg. The defensive midfielder completed this training stint with the German club during the third week of November.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

2011: Starting the year with Thomas Rongen’s United States U-20 side, Kitchen led the United States into the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala. In Group B, Kitchen started in victories against Suriname on 3/29 and Panama on 4/2. Unfortunately the U.S. U-20’s were knocked out of qualifying by Guatemala, preventing them from advancing to the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. In advance of the 2012 Olympic Games, Kitchen was called into U.S. U-23 camp in Duisburg, Germany from 11/7 through 11/16. During that span, Kitchen helped the U-23’s to a 3-0 win over VKL Bochum and a 1-1 draw with Bayern Leverkusen’s reserves.

2009: Kitchen was captain of the U-17 U.S. National Team residency program and also competed in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Nigeria.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

2010: During his first and only year with the University of Akron, Kitchen made appearances in all 25 matches as the Zips’ starting defensive midfielder. He finished the season with six goals and one assist, including the game-winning goal against Cal State Northridge on 9/7. Kitchen was selected to the Soccer America Freshman First Team and the All-MAC First Team, helping Akron to the 2010 College Cup championship.

ACQUIRED

Selected in the first round (3rd overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on 1/13/11.

HONORS

2013: D.C. United MVP