2 | DANNY CRUZ
8 | BRANKO BOSKOVIC
Cruz was traded to D.C. United in early 2012 from the Houston Dynamo, where he saw action in 20 matches, including 13 starts. Cruz is a gritty player who played a major role in the Dynamo’s road to the MLS Cup final, starting all four of the Dynamo playoff games. Last year Cruz netted two goals and assisted on three others. LAST GAME: Cruz played 90 minutes as a starter in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
Signed as a Designated Player on 6/14/2010, Boskovic appeared in 13 matches and started eight for D.C. in 2010. The midfielder joined United from Rapid Vienna in Austria. The 2011 season was cut short for Boskovic after an ACL tear early in the season. Boskovic is fit and ready to kick off the 2012 season. LAST GAME: Boskovic played 45 minutes as a substitute in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
3 | ROBBIE RUSSELL
9 | HAMDI SALIHI
Russell is one of the few United players with an MLS Cup under his belt and will use his veteran experiences to help lead the back four. Russell enjoyed a successful 2011 season at Real Salt Lake, in which he started 22 of the 26 matches he played, netting two assists in 1,809 minutes of action LAST GAME: Russell played 90 minutes as a starter in United’s 5-3 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on 5/2/2012.
4 | BRANDON McDONALD
McDonald is a hard-nosed defender who joined D.C. United midseason last year from the San Jose Earthquakes. Since joining United, McDonald started all 18 matches he played in and tallied a goal for United against the Vancouver Whitecaps. LAST GAME: McDonald played 90 minutes as a starter and notched two assists in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
5 | DEJAN JAKOVIC
Jakovic, a native of Ontario, Canada, has started 56 of 57 games he has played in for the black-and-red. Jakovic is also becoming an integral part of the Canadian National Team. Jakovic was signed on 2/27/2009 from Red Star Belgrade of Serbia. LAST GAME: Jakovic played 60 minutes as a starter in United’s 2-1 win against the New England Revolution on 4/14/2012.
6 | KURT MORSINK
Morsink joined United in 2009 when he was signed from the Kansas City Wizards and has now tallied over 1,600 minutes for the side. Morsink played college soccer for James Madison University and was a standout garnering honors in all four years of play. LAST GAME: Has not yet played in 2012.
7 | DWAYNE DE ROSARIO
De Rosario is the reigning 2011 MLS MVP after an outstanding 2011 season that saw moves from Toronto to New York and from New York to his eventual landing spot in our nation’s capital. De Rosario was the league's leading scorer with an MLS-best 16 goals and 12 assists, 13 of them coming while playing for United in 18 games. LAST GAME: De Rosario played 90 minutes as a starter in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
Salihi was signed in February of 2012 from Rapid Vienna of Austria's top division, where he was once the teammate of Branko Boskovic. Salihi, in three years with Rapid Vienna, tallied a prolific 53 goals in 90 total matches (all competitions). Salihi is already making his presence felt in D.C., scoring two goals in two games for United during his first appearances with the black-and-red in pre-season matches. LAST GAME: Salihi played 19 minutes and scored a goal in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
11 | MARCELO SARAGOSA
Midfielder Marcelo Saragosa began his career with the youth teams at his hometown São Paulo FC in Brazil before moving to the LA Galaxy in 2004. After a brief return to São Paulo, Saragosa again joined the Galaxy in August 2005, playing four regular season games and two playoff games, helping the team win both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. Saragosa, who signed with the club in February of 2012, will add depth and experience to the United roster. LAST GAME: Saragosa played 45 minutes in United’s 5-3 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on 5/2/2012.
13 | CHRIS PONTIUS
Pontius is currently D.C. United’s longest tenured player on the roster. After starting all 25 matches he played in during the 2011 season, Pontius suffered a broken right tibia. Pontius has made a great recovery and has seen action in United’s pre-season contests. LAST GAME: Pontius played 65 minutes and scored a goal in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.
14 | ANDY NAJAR
Najar, a product of the D.C. United Youth Academy, was signed to a Generation Adidas contract on 3/22/10 with the first team and won the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. The then 17-year-old midfielder was the second player to sign with the senior squad directly from United’s Academy, joining goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Najar has started in 50 of the 57 games he has played in and has tallied 10 goals and seven assists in two years. LAST GAME: Najar played 90 minutes as a starter in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5/12.