Published on: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

By Evelyn Royer

Major League Soccer D.C. United players, Marc Burch and Rodney Wallace, were among the record number of fans at the Terrapins men’s soccer game Friday night at the University of Maryland.

Burch and Wallace are the only two UMD graduates on the D.C. United team, Doug Hicks, vice president of communications for United, said. They came out to support the Terps in their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

“It’s nice to come out, see all these fans and to support the team,” said Burch. “It’s a good crowd.”

The crowd was a record-breaking 6,946 people, 54 fans short of maximum capacity for Ludwig field, according to UMD. During half time, long lines stretched from under the United tent where Burch and Wallace autographed hundreds of shirts, cards and foreheads.

An avid Terps and United fan, Deb Pigott of Columbia, remembered when Burch and Wallace still played for UMD. She was holding several cards that had just been autographed for her daughters who were not able to attend the game.

“They played for the Terps!” said Pigott, “How many Terps players are playing for D.C. United and other MLS teams? It’s just amazing, but particularly for D.C. United.”

Burch was drafted into the MLS from UMD in 2006 and Wallace in 2009. Wallace started all 21 games as a freshman at UMD, according to United. Being back in Terp territory again brought back many good memories for Burch.

“I remember when we played Indiana,” Burch said, recalling when he still played for UMD, “The crowd was like this. It’s fun, it’s exciting, there’s good energy here.”

Burch had a lot of pride for the Terps Friday night.

“It’s nice to see them out there playing hard, fighting for every ball and trying to win and it’s something we did when I was here,” Burch said.

Other players from the United team made several appearances in the community early last week. Ben Olsen, Bryan Namoff, Josh Wicks, Clyde Simms, Boyzzz Khumalo, Devon McTavish, Rodney Wallace, Chris Pontius and Brandon Barklage met the United Soccer Club at the Arlington Dick’s Sporting Goods for a shopping spree on Tuesday while Milos Kocic participated in an even called “Train with the Pros” at UMD. 

The United Web site explains why the players make an effort to integrate with the community.

“Appearances are an essential part of D.C. United’s community outreach efforts and provide the team the opportunity to generate positive impact throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Giving back allows D.C. United to support a great number of organizations which in turn help those in need,” their Web site said.

Kaoru Forbess, a midfielder for the Terps, felt that Burch and Wallace’s presence at the game was good for team morale. He hopes to be in the MLS one day soon and will definitely come back to support the Terps himself.

With less than two minutes left in the game, the Terps scored the only goal for the win. The crowd erupted, the Terps did a victory lap, and there is no doubt that Burch and Wallace were smiling proudly alongside their old home field.