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MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Signs Ara, Gros and Perkins

March 2, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (March 2, 2004)- D.C. United today announced the signings of midfielders Kevin Ara and Joshua Gros and goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Per team and league policy, the terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Ara and Gros will be added to United's 18-man roster while Perkins will be added to the developmental roster.

"We are pleased to be adding three quality young players to our team," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "Each player has earned their place on our roster and we look forward to their contributions to our success."

Ara was drafted by United in the third round (24th overall pick) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. He joins the Black-and-Red from Harvard University, where he earned first team All-Ivy honors in 2003, becoming the first player to earn back-to-back first team selections since Armando Petrucelli accomplished the feat in 1998 and 1999. Ara finished second on the team in scoring with 14 points (five goals, four assists) and tied for fourth in the Ivy League.

Ara led the Crimson in scoring in 2002, despite suffering a knee injury that limited him to 12 appearances. His nine goals helped the midfielder earn first team All-New England and All-Ivy honors. The four-year starter was also named a third-team All American.

United drafted Gros in the fourth round (34th overall) of the 2004 SuperDraft after a standout career at Rutgers University where he earned Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors for leading the conference in points, points per game, and goals per game. By the end of his senior season, Gros had totaled an amazing 16 goals and five assists for 37 points. Gros was named NCAA Division I third team All-American and earned All-Big East first team honors. He was chosen National Player of the Week for September 22 by College Soccer News. His single season goal and points totals ranked 10th in the Rutgers record books. Gros also totaled five game-winning goals during his senior campaign, ranking sixth among the Scarlet Knights all-time.

Perkins joins the Black-and-Red as a "developmental discovery" signing. He was a standout goalkeeper for the University of South Florida, and backstopped the Cape Cod Crusaders of the USL Professional Development League to their first national championship in 2002. Perkins compiled a 16-4-2 record with a 0.87 goals-against-average. At USF, Perkins earned back-to-back All-Conference USA honors in 2001 (third team) and 2002 (second team), keeping seven clean sheets on the 2002 campaign.

In 2003, Perkins transferred to the University of Evansville, where he played every minute of every match for the Purple Aces. Perkins allowed only 21 goals in 19 matches for the Purple Aces for a 1.07 goals-against average.

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