Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Barely two seasons removed from winning a Major League Soccer MVP award with D.C. United, Dwayne De Rosario’s time with the club has come to an end.
According to a report in the Washington Post, D.C. United declined to pick up an option on the contract of De Rosario and have chosen to move in a different direction, as opposed to offering him a new contract at a significantly lower level. The club have not made a public statement on the report.
The 35-year-old De Rosario, who was acquired in 2011 from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for Dax McCarty, struggled mightily along with the rest of the D.C. United squad who set records in futility with the fewest wins (three), fewest goals per game (0.65), and goal differential (-37). The club also announced on Wednesday the departure of three other players, including former MLS MVP winner Carlos Ruiz.
De Rosario finished this season with just three goals and two assists, a far cry from his 2011 totals of 16 goals and 12 assists between Toronto FC, the Red Bulls, and D.C. United.
This season, De Rosario was D.C. United’s lone Designated Player, making $600,000 in base salary and $630,000 in guaranteed compensation. According to the report, it’s unknown whether De Rosario will enter the MLS Re-Entry Draft in December or whether he’ll try to sign a contract overseas.
Despite his success in 2011 after arriving mid-season, De Rosario was unable to help the side make the playoffs, finishing three points behind the Red Bulls for the final playoff place. In 2012, D.C. United made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals after upsetting the Red Bulls in the semifinals but De Rosario had injured his knee in early September on Canadian National Team duty and didn’t return until the finals series against Houston, where he reportedly wasn’t at 100 percent health.
For all the struggles and injuries this season, De Rosario did help lead D.C. United to an improbable run in the U.S. Open Cup, winning the final on the road at Real Salt Lake, 1-0.
De Rosario finishes his time at D.C. United with 23 goals and 19 assists. The report states that as recently as last week, De Rosario spoke to reporters saying that he was looking to play with the club next season and play in the CONCACAF Champions League.