DC United Names Peter Nowak Head Coach

CHANTILLY, VA (January 7, 2004) ­ D.C. United today named Peter Nowak the club"s Head Coach. Nowak becomes the fourth manager in team history, replacing Ray Hudson, whose contract was not renewed following the 2003 Major League Soccer season. The former Polish international and MLS standout will be formally presented at a press conference to be announced shortly.

"We are very excited to bring Peter to D.C. United as our Head Coach," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "He has a wealth of experience in the game and knows what it takes to become successful in Major League Soccer. We are confident that Peter will lead our team in the right direction."

Nowak, 39, begins his coaching career with D.C. United after an illustrious professional playing career of nearly 23 years. After captaining the Chicago Fire for five seasons, Nowak accepted a position in the club's front office for the 2003 campaign. In his role as the Director of International Relations and Soccer and Business Adviser, Nowak worked closely with nearly all of the club's departments, including the coaching staff, youth player development, community relations, broadcasting and marketing.

"I am pleased and honored to be the Head Coach of D.C. United," said Nowak. "I have great respect for this organization. This will be a new challenge for me. However, I've built my whole career on meeting such challenges and establishing a winning mentality. I expect things to be no different here."

His five years on the field for the Fire made him a fan favorite not only in Chicago, but around the entire league. During his half-decade playing career in MLS, Nowak accumulated 100 points on 26 goals and 48 assists. He led the expansion Fire to an MLS Cup championship in 1998 and U.S. Open Cup titles in 2000 and 2001. Three times each, he was an MLS All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000), a member of the MLS Pepsi Best XI (1998, 2000, 2001) and the Fire's MVP (1998, 2000, 2001). Nowak was also selected as the MVP of MLS Cup 1998.

"As a player, I remember the great home field advantage that United enjoyed," continued Nowak. "Those great fans have suffered with the team as of late and I hope our return to winning ways will allow us many chances to celebrate future successes together."

"This is a great opportunity for Peter. He has prepared himself well for this important step in his career," said Fire GM Peter Wilt. "It will be difficult to see him representing another MLS team, but he will always be the Fire's first captain, the Fire's first player to hold the MLS Cup trophy and the first inductee into the Ring of Fire. Peter will also always represent the Fire to me."

"MLS is privileged to have a person of Peter's quality come to play in this League for five seasons and decide to stay and continue his career on the coaching side. This speaks volumes for the value of this League and the future of the sport in this country."

« Back to News