WASHINGTON, D.C. January 22, 2013 — D.C. United and assistant coach Pat Onstad have announced that the two have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, according to a press statement from the club on Tuesday. The 44-year-old is moving back to Canada to be closer to his family and has been signed by Toronto FC as chief scout and manager of football partnerships.
The veteran MLS goalie joined United’s coaching staff prior to the 2011 season. He was forced to play three times for United when the club faced injuries to its two key goalies. In 2012, Onstad coached starting goalie Bill Hamid to a career season, with Hamid setting highs in GAA (1.03), saves (88), shutouts (8) and wins (13).
In his playing career, Onstad featured for the San Jose Earthquakes and helped the Houston Dynamo win back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007 after raising the trophy with San Jose in 2003. The Canadian international earned 57 caps throughout his career, most all-time for Canadian goalkeepers.
In other news, United this week announced that the club has signed John Thorrington, 33, a midfielder the club selected in Stage-2 of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14, 2012. Thorrington played in 19 games (14 starts) with Whitecaps FC in the 2012 season, and has appeared in four matches internationally with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Per team and League policy, the details of the deal were not disclosed.
Thorrington earned $170,000 a season at the Whitecaps.
Thorrington is an eight-year Major League Soccer veteran. He has made 89 appearances (72 games started), scoring eight goals and assisting on three others.
The Facts on John Thorrington
Name: John Thorrington
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 150 lbs.
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: 10/17/1979
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
Previous Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Acquired: Selected in Stage-2 of the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14, 2012 and signed on January 21, 2013.
John Haydon wrote a weekly soccer column for The Washington Times. He has covered two World Cups and written about Major League Soccer from the league’s inception in 1996.
Follow John on Twitter at @Johnahaydon
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
