Washington Diplomats June, 2019 Reunion Update

A rep from DC United has asked me to seek those who would be "passionate about attending an organized, ticketed Dips Reunion/get together in the first few days of June, 2019," possibly at Audi Field, in conjunction with a DCU home match. There has been talk of a drinks/dinner type of event, but nothing is set in stone as of yet. Players, staff, fans and soccer lovers all welcome. I have been asked to collect emails or other forms of contact so that DCU can start a database to communicate with those interested as their plans become clearer. If this is something you would like to participate in, please feel free to contact me at jreed65844@aol.com so that we can make this an event to be remembered!

Leroy DeLeon, All Time Leading Scorer, Traded

1976 headline from the Washington Post.

At the start of the 1977 season, Leroy DeLeon (pronounced Dilly-on) was not only the leading scorer in Diplomats history, he was the all-time leading scorer in Washington pro soccer history, having scored 15 goals during his two seasons with the short-lived Washington Darts, in addition to 18 while with the Dips.

Yet, these distinctions belied a disquiet few, if any, knew about. "I never felt relaxed playing with the Washington Diplomats," he told Donald Huff of the Washington Post. "If I scored a goal, everybody was your friend. If we lost and I didn't score, no one would speak to me."

Despite this perception, DeLeon "really loved Washington." He was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes for Mark Liveric just three games into the 1977 campaign. "I didn't see this coming. It really hit me kind of hard," he said at the time. "I was playing as well as anyone on the team."

The reason for the trade had nothing to do with DeLeon's attitude or game performance, but could be summed up in an age old adage in professional sports, "to get quality you have to give up quality." So stated Diplomats coach Dennis Viollet, who admitted to "always" having a desire to acquire Liveric. Neither player had scored in the 1977 season when the trade took place.

The lack of communication between Viollet and DeLeon became readily apparent in the aftermath of the swap. "Every time Dennis brought in another English player, I was switched to another position," DeLeon felt.

"Maybe he (Viollet) just wanted an excuse to bench me. But he couldn't because I was playing as well as everybody else. Everything was English, English, English. I had to fit in around them."

"I'm surprised he felt that way," Viollet admitted. "I've always considered him one of the most skilled players around and maybe that's why I demanded more from him."

Despite taking the trade hard, DeLeon demonstrated the class that made him a fan favorite. "Time will tell," he reflected when asked how he thought Liveric would fit in with his new team. "I hope Washington wins for Dennis' sake."

San Jose was the clear winner in the transaction, as DeLeon finished the year with 6 goals and 10 assists, all with the Earthquakes. Liveric posted 2 goals and 1 assist with the Dips.

Neither Viollet nor Liveric would be with the club for very long after DeLeon's departure. Viollet was relieved of his coaching duties with the Dips in the midst of the 1977 season, and Liveric would leave Washington to head back west with the Oakland Stompers in 1978.

The Diplomaniac

Looking for a holiday gift idea?

Henry Kissinger Visits Dips Locker Room, 1978

Dips Reunion

ARE YOU A FORMER DIPLOMATS PLAYER OR FAN? 
DC United has asked me to gauge interest in a Diplomats Reunion/Recognition game in 2019 with an eye on a bigger event during the 2020 season. If this is something you would be interested in happening/attending please send me a message at jreed65844@aol.com    Thank you!

1979 Diplomats

The Washington Star featured the '79 Diplomats individual photos as part of their NASL preview coverage. How they confused Art Welch and Sakib Viteskic is any ones guess.