D.C. United withstood a strong challenge from the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night at RFK Stadium to claim the U.S. Open Cup by a score of 2-1, the second time in history that the club from the nation's capital has lifted the Dewar Trophy, having also won in 1996.

It didn't take long for the home side to pull ahead, with last year's MLS MVP Luciano Emilio striking just four minutes into the match. Click to continue reading...

Here is your first moving picture taste of the post-game festivities following United's win over the Battery. Comments from Tom Soehn, Bryan Namoff, Clyde Simms, Louis Crayton and Santino Quaranta on the win and some unbelievable footage from the field celebration. We'll hit you with a full-on Access United tomorrow, but we didn't want you to wake up Thursday morning without something to enjoy.

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In a season that's had its fair share of ups and downs, we've finally got something to show for it! Maybe a title in the US Open Cup wasn't necessarily the goal for this season, but it's certainly an accomplishment the team should be proud of, and most importantly, its great that United has fought its way back into the international picture. Click to continue reading...

Tom Soehn has named his starting lineup for tonight's championship battle against the Battery. The same players who started Saturday's game against New York will take the field, with the only change being Santino Quaranta moving to the middle of thte park and Joe Vide pushing out wide (where they played the second half).

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Recently, while Devon McTavish was being interviewed by a female reporter in the media room, Bryan Namoff and Santino Quaranta - who were waiting to be interviewed themselves - offered up some commentary on United's most eligible bachelor. Hilarity ensues.

"The after practice mohawk has got my mind blown!

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Who ever said that 0-0 matches aren't exciting? That had to be the most competitive match between these two clubs in a couple years. Usually we dominate these matches, and the last one against the Red Bulls should be thrown out, but I can't think of a time we've ever played them to a scoreless draw. Click to continue reading...

Kickoff is about an hour away. Tommy's main changes come in the back line tonight, as he shuffles a few guys around, while Santino Quaranta moves from the attacking midfield spot to the right flank. Here's what they'll look like at the first whistle:

Louis Crayton; Gonzalo Martinez, Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Marc Burch; Santino Quaranta, Clyde Simms, Joe Vide, Ivan Guerrero; Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio

And here's what the 4-4-2 formation will look like:

------------Moreno-----------Emilio------------------------------------------------------------------------Guerrero--------------------------------Quaranta---------------Vide----------Simms----------------Burch-------------------------------------Martinez------------McTavish--------Burch-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Crayton------------------------ Click to continue reading...

A lot of folks have commented on the fact that Santino Quaranta's second half goal against Colorado over the weekend was not nominated for the Goal of the Week (but, Joe Vide's did!). Unfortunately, Saturday's game was only broadcast on Altitute Sports, who didn't put a camera behind the north goal (as team's normally do) and thus didn't have the best angle to view Santino's dipping, swerving shot.

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Prior to D.C. United's victory over the Colorado Rapids I honestly predicted the final score to be, D.C. United 3 – Colorado 0. Now, it's true that I always predict that D.C. United will win 3-0, but for the first time since August 5th of last season I was correct. I owe it all to Quavas Kirk.

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.. to smash the ball past a guy named Burpo. You can see several other photos from Official Unofficial BehindTheBadge.com photographer Chris Leon on the Video & Pics page.

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I have got to get out of this habit of only posting post game reports... I was there last night, and I was fairly pleased. I say fairly because there were some stupid passes in the midfield, and some questionable play by certain players (I'm looking your way Emilio), and because we SHOULD get three [. Click to continue reading...

A 3-0 scoreline is pretty good, eh? Some in the press box were calling it the most complete United game of the year and it's tough to disagree. Three goals scored, a shutout and players working for their teammates all over the pitch. Two absolute stunners from Joe Vide and Santino Quaranta and a opportunistic Quavas Kirk gets his first career regular season goal.

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With his one-time shoe-string shot to give the team a 1-0 lead, I could have sworn I was watching Benny Olsen. Or maybe Benny Feilhaber. But definitely somebody named Benny. Nope, it was Joe Vide. That goal really made me wish I was listening to Dave Johnson and Thomas Rongen do the broadcast. I could just hear Rongen saying his usual "Shoelaces. Click to continue reading...

The big news out of the locker room this evening is that Ben Olsen has been named to the 18-man roster for tonight's game. Benny has been training for the last week and a half and is attempting to salvage the season after numerous ankle surgeries over the last nine months. His lone appearance of the season came on June 29, when United beat LA 4-1 and Ben came on as a 75th minute substitute.

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Head Coach Tom Soehn continues to have to deal with player injuries and absences heading into tonight's match with the Revolution. Ivan Guerrero is with the Honduran National Team for their World Cup qualifier in Mexico this evening, while Gonzalo Martinez is serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

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Happy Monday, sports fans. Just a quick note to let you know that our very own Santino Quaranta will be on Washington Post Live this evening to chat about all things United. As you know, the show airs on Comcast SportsNet each weekday evening from 5-6:30 p.m. with host Russ Thaler.

Have a question for Mr.

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Following Saturday night's 1-0 win over the Fire, the team gathered in the locker room around the lone TV to watch US swimmer Michael Phelps and his team compete in the final swim of the Olympic meet - the 400 medley relay. As you probably know, Phelps was going for his record eighth gold medal. What follows is a photo essay of the team's reaction during the last two legs of the swim.

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We're about an hour from kickoff now, and Head Coach Tom Soehn has named his lineup. The big change is that newcomer Louis Crayton - who was officially signed yesterday - will get the start in goal ahead of Zach Wells.

Here's the full squad: Louis Crayton; Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Marc Burch, Gonzalo Martinez; Fred, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Ivan Guerrero; Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio.

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The last time United visited Chicago, the team got a thrilling, last-minute win courtesy of a Luciano Emilio goal. I'd take a similar result this evening - you know, a win - but would prefer a little less drama. The team watched some film last night in preparation and will need to be ready for U.

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D.C. United will be representing Major League Soccer in this year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, earning the honor after dispatching a less-than-full-strength New England Revolution squad on Tuesday night by a score of 3-1. A pair of goals from reigning MVP Luciano Emilio sandwiched Santino Quaranta's game-winner, while Joe Germanese tallied the lone goal for New England. Click to continue reading...

(Sick photo by Matt Mathai)

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With a trip to the U.S. Open Cup final on the line, here is the team Head Coach Tom Soehn has decided to go with this evening:

Zach Wells; Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Gonzalo Peralta, Gonzalo Martinez; Fred, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Ivan Guerrero; Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio.

And this is how they'll lineup:

--------Moreno---------Emilio----------

----------------Quaranta-----------------

Guerrero---------------------------Fred

-----------------Simms-------------------

Martinez------------------------Namoff

----------McTavish--Peralta----------

------------------Wells-------------------

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Far be it for me to neglect you, readers, on the day before the classic NY-DC matchup up at the stadium named after my NFL team. From what I can gather, DC is using this game as a chance to work back in some players coming off of injury. On turf, I'd have [...] Click to continue reading...

With the dark red and blue colors of Barcelona pouring out of my ears at this point, it is my pleasure to turn our attentions back to the MLS season and a huge upcoming rivalry game. The resurgent DC United is in town, looking to quell the hopes of their Red Bull rivals.

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Do you fully understand the importance of next week's semifinal game against the New England Revolution in the Open Cup? I'm not sure that you do. United is one win away from playing for its 12th championship. The only thing standing in the way of another title shot is the New England Revolution.

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