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D.C. United

D.C. United signs Thabiso Khumalo and Greg Janicki

September 12, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2008)- D.C. United announced today the club has signed forward Thabiso 'Boyzzz' Khumalo to a senior roster spot and defender Greg Janicki to a developmental contract. Both players join United on loan from United Soccer League's Second Division team the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The club also announced midfielders Domenic Mediate and Jeff Carroll have been placed on the season-ending injury list and Dane Murphy has been waived.

Khumalo joins United after spending the 2008 season with the Riverhounds where he led his team in goals (six) and added three assists during 1,723 minutes on the pitch. For his efforts he was selected to the USL-2 All-League team. Prior to joining the Riverhounds, the 27-year old split his time between his native country and spent the better part of 2006 as a member of USL-2 side Wilmington Hammerheads. In 2005, Khumalo played for the Charleston Battery (USL-1), tallying one assist in 19 games played (11 starts). He was originally selected in the third round (36th overall) of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire, after playing with the Fire's Premier Development League team.

"Boyzzz has shown well in our reserve games and first team trainings," said United General Manager Dave Kasper. "He is an intelligent player with good physical qualities, and he will provide us cover in a few areas."

Khumalo spent the final two years of his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University. During his senior year, he started in 20 of the 23 games he played and tallied 16 assists - third most in the nation - and eight goals. Khumalo also earned MVP honors at the Big South Tournament. As a junior, Khumalo led the Chanticleers to a program-best 20-3-0 record and a Big South title. He recorded seven goals and ten assists and was named to the First Team All-Big South, the NSCAA/adidas First Team All-South Atlantic Region and the Third Team All-America. Beore moving to Coastal Carolina, Khumalo played two years at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, where he was the first freshman to ever win the NAIA National Player of the Year award after scoring 21 goals in 2001. He scored 26 goals his sophomore season and earned First Team NAIA All-American, All-Region and Mid-South Conference honors. During his collegiate career, Khumalo also played for PDL side Michigan Bucks from 2001 to 2003.

Defender Greg Janicki also comes from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. During the 2008 campaign, the 24-year old appeared in 14 games for the USL-2 team, registering one assist in 1,036 minutes. Before joining the Riverhounds, the Michigan native spent the 2006 season with the Michigan Bucks (PDL).

"We are excited to get Greg under contract," Kasper said. "He is finishing a good first season as a professional, and we are hopeful that he will make a quick adjustment at the next level."

Janicki spent his entire collegiate career at Michigan State University. During his senior year, the defender started all 19 games the Spartans played, recording two assists and earning First Team All-Big 10 and Second Team All-Great Lakes Region. Janicki was also a starter his entire junior year. He contributed one assist and was named Academic All-Big Ten.

Mediate suffered a concussion on June 22 in the game against San Jose. After attempting to train with the team and still experiencing symptoms, it was determined Mediate would not be returning to play this year. The versatile midfielder provided support to United's back line early in the year and saw first team action in eight games (four starts), logging 437 minutes. He has also appeared in four reserve matches (all starts) for a total of 301 minutes.

Carroll has been out nearly the entire season with a toe injury that was recently re-aggravated. In February, he underwent surgery to repair a ruptured plantar plate in his left big toe. His only playing time this year came in two Reserve Division matches, in which he totaled 63 minutes.

Murphy joined the Black-and-Red on March 28, 2008 but did not see first team action. The midfielder contributed to ten reserves games (all starts), totaling 872 minutes on the pitch.

Player vitals:
Name: Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Jersey: 17
Date of Birth: 10-27-1980
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Soweto, South Africa
Hometown: Soweto, South Africa
Citizenship: South African
Last Club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2)
Acquired: 9/12/08
Status: Senior roster

Name: Greg Janicki
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Jersey: 16
Date of Birth: 7-9-84
Age: 24
Place of Birth: Rochester, MI
Hometown: New Baltimore, MI
Citizenship: U.S.
Last Club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2)
Acquired: Signed on loan from the Pittsburgh Rivers Hounds (USL-2) on 9/12/08.
Status: Developmental

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