DC United have appointed Curt Onalfo as its new head coach.
The former Kansas City Wizards mentor has taken the role at the club he previously served as a player, director of youth development, and assistant coach, replacing Tom Soehn who left at the end of the 2009 season.
The 40-year old Brazilian-born Onalfo was heavily linked with the job for a few weeks and finally installed in the top job, delighting DC president and CDO Kevin Payne.
"This has been a lengthy process but at the end of it we believe Curt Onalfo will be an outstanding leader for D.C. United," said Payne.
"Our first priority was to find someone who shares the club's long-standing philosophy of attacking soccer - and Curt absolutely does. Having played and coached here, Curt understands the culture of D.C. United. As a former member of our 1998 and 1999 championship-winning teams, he understands what is necessary today to fulfill the D.C. United legacy and meet the lofty expectations that follow our club. His fluency in Spanish, familiarity with our community, and understanding of our league are additional factors that make him the ideal choice to lead our team and I am excited to welcome him home. We look forward to getting to work in bringing the MLS Cup back to D.C."