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D.C. United

D.C. United Signs Murphy And Thorpe, Waive Kpene

March 28, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United announced today the signing of goalkeeper James Thorpe and midfielder Dane Murphy to developmental contracts, and the waiving of Guy-Roland Kpene.

D.C. United originally selected Thorpe in the fourth round (38th overall) of the MLS Supplemental Draft on January 24, 2008. Thorpe, the NSCAA/adidas Division II Player of the Year, helped lead Franklin Pierce to its first National Championship in 2007. He was a first team All-America selection last fall, after earning second team honors in 2006 and third team in 2005. Thorpe is also a four-time All-NE-10 first team pick, and recently received an NCAA Institutional Sportsmanship Award. As a senior, Thorpe made a save to preserve his team's National Championship victory, earned his 12th shutout of the season, and 49th of his four-year career. Thorpe also broke the NCAA all-division record for minutes played in the opening minutes of the tournament, with 8,391 minutes played.

Murphy signed with United having gone undrafted after a four-year career at the University of Virginia. The Danbury, CT native scored one goal in 21 games last season. In 2006, Murphy appeared in 21 games (20 starts), and scored the game-winning goal in overtime against St. Francis. He also recorded assists in wins over Boston College and No. 2 Maryland. The midfielder scored his first two career goals in 2005 in UVA's NCAA Tournament win over USF.

Forward Guy-Roland Kpene leaves D.C. United after tallying two assists in 548 minutes for the Black-and-Red. Kpene was a third round selection (37th overall) in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. The rookie also contributed to United's reserve team, scoring two goals and one assist in eight games. Kpene's first start and first career assist came on 5/6 in United's 2-1 win over Chivas USA.

D.C. United's 2008 MLS season begins March 29, when United travels to Kansas City to play the Wizards, and the home opener at RFK will be on April 5, against Toronto FC. The team resumes CONCACAF Champions' Cup play the following Tuesday, when the Black-and-Red begin their semifinal series against Pachuca CF from Mexico. Group tickets, package plans and individual tickets to United matches, not including SuperLiga games and the Los Angeles Galaxy match on June 29, are now available for sale. For more ticket information or to purchase season tickets, log on to www.dcunited.com or call D.C. United at (202) 587-5000.

Player vitals:

Name: Dane Murphy

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6-1

Weight: 180

Jersey: 17

Date of Birth: 3-15-1986

Age: 22

Place of Birth: Danbury, CT

Hometown: Redding, CT

Citizenship: American

Last Club: University of Virginia

Acquired: Signed, March 25, 2008.

Status: Developmental

Name: James Thorpe

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 5-11

Weight: 175

Jersey: 30

Date of Birth: 2-17-1985

Age: 23

Place of Birth: East Longmeadow, MA

Hometown: East Longmeadow, MA

Citizenship: American

Last Club: Franklin Pierce University

Acquired: selected Thorpe in the fourth round (38th overall) of the MLS Supplemental Draft on January 24, 2008.

Status: Developmental

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