{"id":36788,"date":"2022-08-05T23:14:42","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T23:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/dc-united-acquires-christian-benteke\/"},"modified":"2022-08-05T23:14:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-05T23:14:42","slug":"dc-united-acquires-christian-benteke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/dc-united-acquires-christian-benteke\/","title":{"rendered":"DC United acquires Christian Benteke"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-grBDNq hide-for-print mb-sm undefined\">\n<div class=\"PJLV PJLV-iAjpuP-css flex items-center\" data-qa=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-fLphcs\"><button class=\"wpds-c-gNHrZC wpds-c-gNHrZC-bywHgD-variant-primary wpds-c-gNHrZC-biynoz-density-compact wpds-c-gNHrZC-hZSyid-isOutline-true wpds-c-gNHrZC-ejCoEP-icon-left wpds-c-gNHrZC-futxca-cv wpds-c-gNHrZC-ihhnWqF-css\"><button class=\"PJLV PJLV-igcOMTV-css\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" role=\"img\" class=\"wpds-c-coakfw wpds-c-efqEZa focus-highlight flex items-center justify-center brad-lg pointer transition-400 ease-in-out transition-colors\" aria-label=\"Comment on this story\" iconstyle=\"[object Object]\"><title>Comment on this story<\/title><path d=\"M14 14V2H2v9.47h8.18L12.43 13ZM3 10.52V3h10v9.23l-2.5-1.66Z\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<p>Comment<\/p>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"teaser-content grid-center\">\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">DC United on Friday acquired Belgian national team striker Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace, adding a 10-year Premier League veteran as MLS&#8217;s transfer and trade window closed and the London club was preparing to begin its season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">The deal was struck late Thursday, hours before MLS&#8217;s midnight deadline and one day before Palace&#8217;s opener against Arsenal, giving new coach Wayne Rooney and the last-place organization their biggest roster splash of the summer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">\u201cChristian is a top player who has played at the highest level for a long time,\u201d said Rooney, who, during his playing career with Manchester United and Everton, faced Benteke several times.  \u201cHis experience and ability to score goals and help the team will be invaluable.  It&#8217;s exciting for the team and myself to get him in and playing.  He will make a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Benteke, 31, will become the highest-paid player in club history, two people familiar with the terms said.  His salary will surpass Rooney&#8217;s $ 3.5 million pact in 2019, his second and final season as a United player.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Benteke signed through the 2024 season, and the club holds an option for 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">He will fill United&#8217;s third and final slot for high-end designated players, joining Greek attacker Taxi Fountas and Icelandic defensive midfielder Victor Palsson.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">United also paid an undisclosed transfer fee, estimated to be worth multimillions, to Crystal Palace, Benteke&#8217;s club the past six seasons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">He is not allowed to play in MLS until his work visa is approved, a process that typically takes at least two weeks, but he&#8217;s expected to visit Washington as early as next week to meet his new teammates, find housing and get acclimated to the weather .<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">Wayne Rooney is a megastar.  More importantly, he wants to coach.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">\u201cHis strength and power will make him a focal point of our team and his ability to link up play will be a valuable asset to us,\u201d United General Manager Lucy Rushton said in a statement.  \u201cWe are excited to get Christian integrated with the team so he can make an immediate impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Dave Kasper, United&#8217;s president of soccer operations, said in an interview the club began engaging with Benteke&#8217;s representatives seven to 10 days ago.  At first, he said, the outlook seemed bleak because of high financial demands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">But Kasper said he worked closely with Benteke&#8217;s agent, Kismet Eris, and the respective owners negotiated the transfer fee and other considerations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">In addition, Kasper said, Rooney spoke to Benteke \u2014 an interaction that, although they didn&#8217;t know each other very well, helped move the process along.  \u201cThat played a big role in bringing him to the club,\u201d Kasper said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">In hiring Rooney last month, United was counting on the former English superstar using his status in the sport to help attract players to Washington.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Among Rooney&#8217;s top priorities was signing a big forward.  United didn&#8217;t get anywhere with Luton Town&#8217;s 6-foot-4 Elijah Adebayo but traded with the Columbus Crew for 6-3 Miguel Berry and landed 6-2 Benteke.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Benteke was once one of the highest-valued strikers in Europe.  Liverpool paid Aston Villa $51 million for the Belgian in 2015 and, a year later, Palace acquired him from the Reds for $34 million.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">His best season with Palace was his first, 2016-17, when he recorded 15 league goals.  He scored 10 in 2020-21 but only four in 11 starts (25 appearances) last season.  All those goals came last fall and, while Odsonne \u00c9douard secured the starting job at striker, Benteke went scoreless in his last 13 appearances, mostly as a substitute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">In his 280-match Premier League career, he had 86 goals and 23 assists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">With the Belgian national team, Benteke has posted 18 goals in 45 matches, last appearing for FIFA&#8217;s No.  2-ranked team in March.  He has played in two European Championships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p><span class=\"font--article-body font-copy hide-for-print ma-0 pb-md db italic interstitial\">What to know about the 2022-23 English Premier League season<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Benteke is United&#8217;s last acquisition during the summer window, joining Berry, goalkeeper David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake), winger Mart\u00edn Rodr\u00edguez (Altay, Turkey), attacking midfielder Ravel Morrison (Derby County, England) and defensive midfielder Palsson (Schalke, Germany) .<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Ochoa and Palsson have yet to make their debuts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">While Ochoa and Palsson promise to help the defensive cause, United did not address backline issues.  The club (6-3) has conceded a league-worst 47 goals and, during Wednesday&#8217;s 3-0 defeat at Charlotte FC, center back Brandon Hines-Ike (20 starts) a foot injury that&#8217;s expected to sideline him the rest of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">United lacks depth in every backline position.  Sami Guediri, who began the year at second-division Loudoun United, has been starting at left back.  Right back Andy Najar, a regular starter much of the year, has been relegated to a sub&#8217;s role under Rooney;  Chris Odoi-Atsem has been starting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Donovan Pines, who has struggled this season, and Tony Alfaro are the top options to replace Hines-Ike and partner with captain Steven Birnbaum in central defense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Teams are allowed to sign domestic and international free agents until the roster freeze Sept.  2.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Benteke joins a crowded group of forwards.  Berry and Ola Kamara have alternated as the starter at striker while Michael Estrada and Nigel Robertha haven&#8217;t even been in uniform lately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p data-qa=\"drop-cap-letter\" data-el=\"text\" class=\"font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md\">Neither Kamara (seven goals and one assist in 20 appearances) nor Estrada (four goals and four assists in 16 games) is expected to return next season.  Kamara&#8217;s $1.5 million contract expires this winter and Estrada is on loan from Mexican club Toluca.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"b bt bc-offblack dn-ns hide-for-print\" data-testid=\"mostRead\" subscriptions-section=\"content\"\/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Comment on this story Comment DC United on Friday acquired Belgian national team striker Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace, adding a 10-year Premier League veteran as MLS&#8217;s transfer and trade window closed and the London club was preparing to begin its season. The deal was struck late Thursday, hours before MLS&#8217;s midnight deadline and one &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/dc-united-acquires-christian-benteke\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">DC United acquires Christian Benteke<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36674,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/dc-united-sign-belgian-international-christian-benteke-from-crystal-palace-as-a-designated-player\/","url_meta":{"origin":36788,"position":0},"title":"DC United Sign Belgian International Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace as a Designated Player","date":"August 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"WASHINGTON, DC (August 5, 2022) - DC United have signed Belgian International forward Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace in the English Premier League on a permanent transfer. Benteke will join the club as a Designated Player pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The Black-and-Red have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":36607,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/crystal-palace-vs-arsenal-score-tracker-live-match-updates\/","url_meta":{"origin":36788,"position":1},"title":"Crystal Palace vs Arsenal score tracker: Live match updates","date":"August 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"August 5, 2022 at 3:10 PM EDTGuaita palms away stinging Zinchenko strike10' Crystal Palace 0-0 ArsenalThis is seriously one-way traffic so far. 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According to David Ornstein in The Athletic and now confirmed by multiple other sources, Christian Eriksen has decided where he's going to play football next season \u2014 and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":48039,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/manchester-united-considering-loan-move-for-usmnt-captain-christian-pulisic\/","url_meta":{"origin":36788,"position":3},"title":"Manchester United considering loan move for USMNT captain Christian Pulisic","date":"August 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Manchester United are considering taking USMNT captain Christian Pulisic on loan from their Premier League rivals Chelsea, The Athletic can reveal. Newcastle United, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have all made approaches for the player who cost Chelsea \u00a358million ($70m) when he signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2019. 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