Rooney named D.C. captain; Albany’s Grady is AFL MVP
Three matches into his MLS career, Wayne Rooney has been named captain of D.C. United. Coach Ben Olsen said Friday that he has awarded the previously vacant role to the English superstar, who captained both Manchester United and his national team. “Wayne has the respect of the guys, not only from his past, but also the way he has been the last few weeks being here,” Olsen said. “We’ve had some good discussions on his leadership role, and I think he will embrace it and do a good job with it.” United had been without a captain while Olsen got a better feel for his evolving squad and relied on several players to provide leadership. Defender Steve Birnbaum, who held the title last year, was the de facto captain through the first half of this season and, as required by MLS, was listed on the lineup sheet as the captain. No one, however, wore the captain’s armband during matches. NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE: The Washington Spirit waived midfielder Maddie Huster, a rookie from Wake Forest who was drafted in the third round. ... The Spirit are offering two free field-side tickets to games at the Maryland SoccerPlex with a purchase of any two tickets to their game at Audi Field on Aug. 25. The promotion is available for purchases made before Tuesday. Call 301-591-0927 or email Fans@WashSpirit.com. ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Albany Empire quarterback Tommy Grady was named Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Grady was at the helm of an Empire offense that led the four-team league in scoring offense (53.8 points per game) and total offensive touchdowns (91). The seventh-year AFL veteran threw for a league-high 2,960 yards and 81 touchdowns against six interceptions. ... Empire linebacker Terence Moore was named Defensive Player of the Year. Moore, a seven-year veteran, had 68.5 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for-a-loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six interceptions. He led the league in interceptions and tied for second in total tackles. HORSE RACING: Horacio DePaz, a multiple stakes-winning trainer for historic Sagamore Farm since 2015, will also be taking on outside clients as he transitions into running a public stable. DePaz, 33, has 40 horses in training for Sagamore spread among the Glyndon farm, Laurel Park, Saratoga Race Course and Churchill Downs. The move comes as Sagamore’s Kevin Plank, founder, CEO and chairman of Under Armour, is scaling back his ownership. “Kevin is on board with the idea. He’s staying involved in racing, but looking to focus more on quality rather than quantity,” DePaz said. “It has been my privilege to work for such a committed owner as Kevin and for a farm with such a rich history and success as Sagamore. I’m excited to be able to continue that relationship while welcoming the opportunity to handle new clients, as well.” BASEBALL: The New York Mets assigned second baseman Ty Kelly, a former Orioles prospect, outright to Triple-ALas Vegas. He was hitting .091 in 11 at-bats this season. WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: Washington College named Aimee Petrides (Institute of Notre Dame) assistant coach. She spent the past two years as an assistant coach and assistant athletic trainer at Frostburg State, where she played four years of volleyball. —