Photo by Francis Chung.
News broke yesterday that D.C. United has declined the option on Dwayne De Rosario’s contract, effectively parting ways with the Canadian international.
In two-and-a-half seasons with United, De Rosario was almost entirely a positive influence. He was an instant success upon his arrival in D.C., storming through the second half of United’s 2011 campaign, taking home MLS MVP honors and nearly putting United in the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. He’d follow that up with a strong (yet injury-shortened) 2012 season, one which saw United finish the year 90 minutes from MLS Cup glory. Even in 2013, during United’s absolutely abysmal run to the MLS basement, De Rosario made his mark, scoring five goals in the Open Cup and leading his team to an improbable championship.
1) DeRo Haunts the Red Bulls, 7/9/2011 (goal is at 5:40 in video)
DCU acquired De Rosario in the summer of 2011, sending Dax McCarty up I-95 in exchange for the Canadian international. On the surface, it seemed like a dynamite deal for United: They’d give New York a well-liked but hardly spectacular midfielder, and in exchange they’d get an all-time MLS legend. The Red Bulls had struggled to find a place for De Rosario in a lineup already crowded with talent, and it’s safe to say DeRo felt some resentment when he was dealt away for a relative pittance.
He didn’t have to wait long to get his chance to make a statement to his former employers. Among his first games in a United kit was one against New York, and DeRo would score a trademark goal, using a nifty step-over to round his defender (none other than Dax McCarty) before hammering home the game-winner.
The trade that brought De Rosario to D.C looks a lot less lopsided these days. McCarty has proven to be a solid contributor for the Red Bulls, a rock in midfield who’s largely responsible for his team’s winning ways. But I’ll be damned if it doesn’t still make me chuckle to see De Rosario blow right by him in that clip.
2) Fastest Hat-Trick in MLS History, 9/24/11 vs Real Salt Lake.
De Rosario’s class was once again on display during a late-season match against Real Salt Lake, one where he recorded the fastest hat-trick in MLS history: three strikes in just nine minutes. He’d head home United’s second goal of the match in the 22nd minute, rip home a 25-yard blast in the 27th, and score an absolute wonder goal 4 minutes later, a perfectly struck, bending free kick.
Oh, and if that’s not enough: he assisted on United’s only other goal of the match, playing an unbelievable through ball to Andy Najar. Classic MacGruber.
3) An Emotional End to 2012.
De Rosario’s 2012 campaign was a strong one. While lacking the sheer numbers of his award-winning 2011 season, DeRo still played a large part in guiding United towards playoff contention. Even in his absence – De Rosario would miss a chunk of games late in the year with a knee injury – the team excelled, almost using the injury as a rallying cry, an opportunity to prove that they weren’t a one-man show.
As it became clear that United would be in the post-season, DeRo accelerated his rehab and made an improbable appearance in the second half of their final match of the year, a playoff loss to Houston in the Conference Finals. Clearly still nursing his injury, it was hard to watch. De Rosario’s comments after the match were even harder to watch, as United’s captain fought back tears while praising his teammates.
“They brought me back,” DeRo said of his teammates. “They brought me back.”
4: DeRo Visits Children’s National Medical Center.
Look, I’m a really cynical guy. But even I was moved by what I saw during a team visit to Children’s National Medical Center last year. De Rosario and company heaped affection and joy on any kid who needed it, and it was wonderful to watch, honestly.
Oh, and he played Hungry Hungry Hippos with Chris Pontius and Perry Kitchen. And, if my memory serves me well, he won.
BONUS: DeRo Won the Internet Last Night.
United didn’t waste any time in releasing De Rosario, and they dispatched of this massive banner bearing his likeness just as quickly. Cold-blooded, D.C. United, cold-blooded. Here’s DeRo’s account, via Instagram.
