96 Preseason Question

[Z010 Union]

I wasn't around to catch any of the preseason buzz on United in 96, so I would appreciate anyone helping me with a question.

Did a Delawarean named Adam Harris sign with the team and tear his achilles prior to the season?

[Z010 Union]

He said he was a striker and practiced with the club in June and July of 95 and he got injured on 7-02-95 and was cut on 7-03-95

[JuanMa]

When I used to ref in the local latino leagues, I colleague referee used to say to me 90% of the people he knew said they were former professional players, and the stat went up to 100% for people when asked when drunk.

If this guy did try out or play with the team, good for him. I tried out with the Diplomats the year they went under, and I was only an average player. But I did not "play" for them. That is nothing to brag about. Anyone who knows a coach or assistant or player can do that.

[revelation]

I don't think the club was together at all in the summer of 1995. The first draft was in the spring of 1996 IIRC. I do remember hearing adverts for DC United starting in the fall of 1995 - some of the best radio advertising I've ever heard...

I particularly liked the mention of Soccer being a sport banned by Kings.

[#8]

I have paid reasonably close attention to the team since day one, and that name does not ring a bell, but that is not the main thing that makes me think he is b.s.ing. If he were truely "signed" and had an injury, he would not have been cut. You can't cut an injured player. Surely possible he was practicing with the team, as JuanMa mentioned - that is no great feat in itself. I am sure someone else that has been a fan since day 1 can weigh in on this mystery.

[Z010 Union]

I figured it was BS, but wanted to get some actual verification before calling a colleague full of ************.

Given the whole Amman fiasco I didn't think a team could cut someone when injured.

[dcfanno]

I can say with 100% assurance that the player never practiced/played/had a tryout with the team. Having been pretty closely associated with the team for the first couple of years, i am certain to have never heard of him

[Sandon Mibut]

There were some combines which were basic open tryouts that were held in each MLS city in 1995. He could have been at that, though it wouldn't have been a DCU coach who was monitoring them as DCU didn't have any coaches.

Bruce Arena wasn't hired by DCU till January of 1996 and Bob Bradley was hired as his assistant soon thereafter.

As far as I know, there was no DCU to speak of in terms of players until very early 1996. The only players they had allocated before Arena was hired were Harkes and Agoos and Harksie was still playing at England.

So, unless you're friend Adam Harris was kickin' it about with 'Goos, I think he's blowing smoke up your chimney.

[Marco10]

League and first seven teams were only announced June 15th. Initial investors and team operators weren't even set until November 16th.
First MLS combine was at George Mason University on November 18th of '95. Harkes was named to team Oct. 17, Agoos on Dec 8, Arena named Jan 2, Bradley Jan 5, Marco and Suarez Feb 2, first draft Feb 6-7.
Seems pretty likely the guy is full of crap. Still, everyone stretches the truth at some point, so what the hey.
I would assume, if the guy really did "tryout" in some mysterious way in the summer of '95, that the guy could "get cut" injured or not, as their was no team to be under contract to yet.