Dante Washington
Encyclopedia
Dante Deneen Washington (born November 21, 1970, in Baltimore, Maryland
) is a retired American soccer striker
and currently a TV soccer color analyst.
Washington played college soccer
at Radford University
, and was named a first team All-American
in 1991. After years in the various indoor leagues and minor outdoor leagues, he signed with MLS and the Columbus Crew
midway through the inaugural 1996 season. But after only three games with the club, Dante was traded to the Dallas Burn
for the rights to Brad Friedel
. Washington spent the next three and a half seasons in Dallas, his best being in 1997, when he scored 12 goals. In 2000, it was off to Columbus again, traded for a draft pick. Washington scored 15 in his first season back with the Crew, but his production declined during the next two seasons and he wasn't re-signed in 2003.
Washington would spend the next two years with the Virginia Beach Mariners
of the A-League
. In 2004, he led the league in scoring and tied for the lead in goals. At the end of the year, Dante received a surprise call-up to the Crew and started a playoff game over the befuddled regular starter Edson Buddle
. He stayed with the club through the opening of the 2005 season, but was let go when Columbus acquired Cornell Glen
. He was then acquired by Real Salt Lake
, in exchange for salary budget considerations sent to Columbus. In nine years of MLS play, Washington scored 52 league goals and added 30 assists. He retired from MLS following the 2005 season, but later signed with the Baltimore Blast
of the MISL
. Washington had played for a few years prior to his stint in the MLS with the Washington Warthogs
in the CISL.
Washington played for the United States
in the 1992 Summer Olympics
. He earned a total of six caps for the senior team, the first coming on March 12, 1991 against Mexico
. He scored on his debut and added one other goal for his country.
He currently is the color commentator for the Columbus Crew's television broadcasts of home matches on the Ohio News Network
and frequently appears on the network's weekly Crew Xtra program.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
) is a retired American soccer striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
and currently a TV soccer color analyst.
Washington played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
, and was named a first team All-American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 1991. After years in the various indoor leagues and minor outdoor leagues, he signed with MLS and the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
midway through the inaugural 1996 season. But after only three games with the club, Dante was traded to the Dallas Burn
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
for the rights to Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
. Washington spent the next three and a half seasons in Dallas, his best being in 1997, when he scored 12 goals. In 2000, it was off to Columbus again, traded for a draft pick. Washington scored 15 in his first season back with the Crew, but his production declined during the next two seasons and he wasn't re-signed in 2003.
Washington would spend the next two years with the Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
of the A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. In 2004, he led the league in scoring and tied for the lead in goals. At the end of the year, Dante received a surprise call-up to the Crew and started a playoff game over the befuddled regular starter Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Ingolstadt 04 in Second Bundesliga, the second-highest level of competition of soccer in Germany. Buddle previously spent his entire career in North America, beginning in 2000 with the Long Island Rough Riders, who played in the USL...
. He stayed with the club through the opening of the 2005 season, but was let go when Columbus acquired Cornell Glen
Cornell Glen
Cornelius "Cornell" Glen is a Trinidadian footballer currently with Caledonia AIA.-Club:Glen began his professional career in 1999 with Trinidadian club Futgof. After two years with Futgof, Glen moved to Portugal, where he played for Sanjoanense...
. He was then acquired by Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
, in exchange for salary budget considerations sent to Columbus. In nine years of MLS play, Washington scored 52 league goals and added 30 assists. He retired from MLS following the 2005 season, but later signed with the Baltimore Blast
Baltimore Blast (current)
Baltimore Blast is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1992, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
of the MISL
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. Washington had played for a few years prior to his stint in the MLS with the Washington Warthogs
Washington Warthogs
The Washington Warthogs were a professional indoor soccer team in the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1994-1997. They played their home games in the US Airways Arena in Landover, Maryland, an arena they shared with the Washington Capitals and Washington Bullets.The Warthogs featured the...
in the CISL.
Washington played for the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
. He earned a total of six caps for the senior team, the first coming on March 12, 1991 against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. He scored on his debut and added one other goal for his country.
He currently is the color commentator for the Columbus Crew's television broadcasts of home matches on the Ohio News Network
ONN
Ohio News Network is a television and radio news network in the U.S. state of Ohio. Its studios and offices are co-located with sister station WBNS-TV, the CBS television affiliate for Columbus and central Ohio. ONN is seen in more than 1.8 million households statewide, including the major...
and frequently appears on the network's weekly Crew Xtra program.