Incredible Find

A friend came up with what has to be the best Diplomats find in recent memory...John Cruyff's 1980 team issued travel bag. Congratulations, Pabs!

1977 Dips Sideline Windbreaker

Thank you, Steve Hornor

Special thanks to Steve Hornor for sharing his banner and medal he received at the 8th President's Cup Football Tournament in Seoul, Korea, 1978, where the Dips finished in second place.

The Last Dip Days of Steeley & Cannell

Steeley and Cannell, 1979.

In August, 1980, Washington Post beat reporter John Feinstein described that season as a soap opera and proposed the name, “Days of Our Diplomats.”

The drama that lingered throughout the 1980 campaign had first leered its ugly head the previous year. An article appeared in the Post, authored by Feinstein, on August 5, 1979, entitled Early Trades Seen for Steele, Cannell, in which both players (Jim Steele and Paul Cannell) made clear their expectation that they would not be with the team much longer, and perhaps they would be better off for it.

“I want to get out of here,” Steele curtly stated after practice on August 4, 1979. “When the season’s over, I want to play someplace else.” One of Steele’s main reasons? “I don’t want to play on a team run by John Carbray,” the Diplomats General Manager.

Paul Cannell seconded his teammate and drinking partners sentiments. “John Carbray has been out to get me for a while because he doesn’t think I take the game seriously. I like to party as much as anyone but I take the game seriously. I’d never do anything to hurt this team.”

Carbray had advised Head Coach Gordon Bradley to trade Cannell and Steele at the end of the 1978 season. However, Bradley felt that Steele was his best natural leader, and wanted him to return for the 1979 campaign.

After their comments of August 4, Bradley was singing a different tune. “Any player who wants to be traded I’ll trade,” Bradley stated. “But I’ll trade them when it suits me. Not when it suits them.” According to team insiders at the time, Bradley had already made up his mind to trade the duo before making those comments.

“Gordon feels they’ve let him down. What’s more, he thinks they’ve become a divisive force on the team. Some players side with Paul and Jimmy and some don’t even want to talk to them.” It might be easy to see why Bradley felt that way. He had often told reporters that, “Jimmy knows more about soccer than anyone on the team.”

This photo sums up Bradley & Cannell's
relationship in August, 1979.

Cannell’s disdain for the coach and general manager did not spoil his view of Washington or it’s fans. Feinstein noted that Cannell had often said that one of his main goals in life “is to see RFK Stadium filled for a Diplomats’ game.”

“I love this city, I love the people and everything about it,” Cannell explained. "But if I’m not happy with my soccer I’m not happy. And right now I’m unhappy about my situation here."

On Sunday, August 19, 1979, the Dips faced a do or die match in their playoff series with the Johan Cruyff-led Los Angeles Aztecs. Instead of focusing on the game, the Dips were airing grievances against each other. A second article in the Post read more like tabloid fodder rather than a pregame analysis.

“There’s a lot of little problems, what normally would be petty problems, but right now they’re amounting to more than that,” Gordon Bradley confessed.

Some of those “little problems” included:

• Kenneth Mokgojoa’s frustration at not having started a match all season and not playing in the final regular season match against the Cosmos in New York. As a result of this snub, he declined to travel to Los Angeles for the Dips playoff opener, a 3-1 loss to the Aztecs in the Rose Bowl. 
•          Criticism by the defenders who played in the series opener that the midfield did not do enough to help out defensively in the face of the Aztecs aggressive offensive game plan.
•          British players complaints about Sakib Viteskic, of whom Steele stated, “his next tackle will be his first. The problem with Sak is he never makes a mistake. It’s someone else’s fault.”
•          Paul Cannell’s playing status. He had been moved out of the starting lineup by Bradley a few weeks previous and had only seen sporadic playing time since. 
•          The ongoing clash between Steele and Coach Bradley. Steele had been replaced in the 3-1 playoff opening loss after the Aztecs scored their second goal in favor of Tony Crescitelli. “I still can’t understand it. Why take me off? I wasn’t playing badly. I was playing better than some of the bloody midfielders,” he insisted. It’s been this way for a while now. Something goes wrong blame Steele or Cannell. When the season’s over, that’s probably it, I’m gone. That upsets me.” 

Some fans were obviously backing Steele and Cannell in the point-counterpoint debate that was being carried out in the press. A large sign appeared prominently at the game that afternoon that stated, "If Paul and Jimmy Leave We Leave Too!"

The Dips were eliminated that afternoon after Cruyff made a legendary 65 yard run through the entire Washington defense and hammered home a left footer past Bill Irwin. Afterward, in the locker room, all of the talk of wanting to be traded had turned to pleas of  being given another chance with the Dips.

"I don't want to leave Washington, I love it here," Cannell said. "I just bought a home in Alexandria, and I have no desire to leave."

Steele seemed a bit more resigned to the fate that awaited the two. "I can't see the two of us staying. They have to split us up. People come up to me and say, 'Hey, Steeley, you're not leaving town, are you?' I hope not. I don't want to. I've said it a couple of times, yes, but if I'm going to be honest, I'd want to stay."

Post columnist Dave Kindred noted, "it would be a public relations mistake for the Diplomats to lose the likes of Cannell and Steele. They are box office."

All Gordon Bradley had to say of the matter was that he would meet with Madison Square Garden (the team's owners) in the next few weeks and then let his players know his plans for them. One has to believe he already had a plan for Cannell and Steele.

Three months later, the Dips sold Cannell's contract to the Memphis Rogues for an undisclosed amount of cash. There was little mention of the move in the Washington press, as seen by the short announcement that appeared in the Washington Star, at left.

Unfortunately for Steele, an injury while on loan to the Pittsburgh Spirit, an indoor winter team, gave the Dips the excuse they were looking for. Steele suffered severe ligament damage.

The injury was so severe that Gordon Bradley pronounced, "We feel he'll never be able to play on the professional level again. We have to go by our medical opinion. If I play Steele and he gets hurt again, we could get into a lot of legal trouble."

Was Steele buying any of this? "The club is really telling me to bleep off," he insisted. "They've left me high and dry. They're just kicking me out." Did he feel he would never play on the professional level again? No. "I'll be ready in a month," he stated in April, 1980. "I'll play for someone."

On May 29, Steele signed with, surprise, surprise, the Memphis Rogues. He and Cannell would have one more summer together to live life to the fullest.

Eric Martin vs Chicago Sting, Soldier Field, 1977

The Dips & Disco

Replica T-Shirt Jerseys

Congratulations, Dragan Radovich

Former Terrier Goalkeeper Dragan Radovich ’79 Honored At 2018 NYC Soccer Gala

Radovich (pictured left) was joined by SFBK Head Coach Tom Giovatto (center) and last year's honoree Mario Fava.

QUEENS, N.Y. – St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer alum Dragan Radovich '79 was 

honored at the Sixth Annual New York City Soccer Gala on March 22 at the New York Athletic Club.  The event honors the history of the beautiful game in the capital of the world.

Each of the five New York City Division I men's soccer programs came together to recognize great figures in their respective histories in addition to honoring a pair of New York City soccer legends in Bill Manning and Len Roitman. The honorees from the other four New York Area schools were as follows: Sal Rosamilia (Columbia), Chris Gonzalez (Fordham), Roger Chavez (LIU Brooklyn), and Stefani Miglioranzi (St. John's).

Radovich spent five seasons in the North American Soccer League. He was also a three time first team All American for the Terriers. 

This year's NYC Soccer Gala Honoree from St. Francis Brooklyn is the 2nd straight Terrier honored at the NYC Soccer Gala in the position of Goalkeeper. Dragan Radovich is a retired Croatian – American goalkeeper and proud graduate of St. Francis College, Brooklyn.

Born on July 29, 1956, in Croatia, he moved to New York City when he was 11 years old and played in the youth system of Blau-Weiss Gottschee. During his years at Jamaica High School, Dragan transitioned from baseball to soccer and began perfecting his game. In his senior year at Jamaica High, he was awarded with the NYC Public Schools Athletic League Iron Horse/Pegasus Award in 1975, which is given to the best soccer player within the NYC school district.

Recruited out of High School by then Terriers Head Coach Carlo Tramontozzi, Radovich was a 4-year member of the St. Francis College Men's Soccer Team through the years of 1975-1978.
During this time, he reminisces of many games in Brooklyn and beyond, alongside his teammates from all over the world. Radovich made an immediate impact for the Terriers and continued each of his 4 years to be a solid foundation in goal. As such a strong defensive presence, Radovich was awarded with All – American awards in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Later, he was inducted into St. Francis Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

After graduating and leaving Brooklyn Heights, he began his professional career on the pitch. The Washington Diplomats drafted Radovich into the North American Soccer League in 1979, where he spent two seasons (1979 – 1980), before transferring to the Portland Timbers (1981 – 1982). Over the course of 2 outdoor and one indoor season with the NASL, Radovich saw the pitch in over 30 games. In 1983, he ended his career in the NASL with the Chicago sting and continued playing semi-professionally with the Brooklyn Italians and Greek American Atlas team through the early 1990's, which included a trip to the 1989 National Challenge Cup Finals.

Dragan Radovich is married to his wife Dorothy, a fellow Terrier. The husband and wife met while at St. Francis College and have two great children; Michael and Dorothy.
Dragan is proud to accept this award on behalf of St. Francis College and is honored to be among the 2018 list of recipients.

Local Media Coverage of the Diplomats

When it came to their coverage of the Dips, The Washington Star was always on the "glass is half empty" side. They seemed to enjoy sneering more than objectivity. Case in point, a column by the Star's Tom Callahan after a Diplomat victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, the reigning NASL champions, in which he stated the need to down a swig of Pepto-Bismol if any American were to try and watch a match. Andy Dolich, the Dips GM, responded in kind by sending Callahan a case of Pepto with the Dips logo on the bottles.

Dips School Supplies

DC’s RFK Stadium will be demolished by 2021

D.C.’s plan to tear down RFK Stadium will happen by 2021, an Events DC spokesperson confirmed to WTOP Thursday.

As first reported by The Washington Post, officials said the demolition is “driven by a need to save money” and not to make plans for the Washington Redskins to build a new stadium at the site.

Events DC, the agency that manages the stadium, said in a statement that it costs $3 million a year to maintain the 58-year-old facility, which has “exceeded its useful life.”

Gregory A. Odell, president and CEO of Events DC, said that they are looking for a qualified contractor and that they will work with various city partners during the demolition process. Odell added that he is looking forward to sharing updates and soliciting community input.

Most recently, the stadium was the home of soccer team D.C. United until the team moved to Audi Field in the Buzzard Point area last year.

RFK Stadium is most famous for being the home of the Burgundy and Gold during its heyday in the ’80s and ’90s, when the team won the Super Bowl three times, in 1982, 1987 and 1991.

The team then moved to FedEx Field in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in 1996, but is looking to relocate home fields again.

Talks are ongoing with D.C., Maryland and Virginia on a new stadium that would replace FedEx Field when the lease expires in 2027. Sites near Dulles International Airport in Virginia, National Harbor in Maryland and RFK Stadium in D.C. are the leading candidates, The Associated Press reported.

https://wtop.com/dc/2019/09/dcs-rfk-stadium-will-be-demolished-by-2021/

1977 Dips Road Jersey

The 1977 Dips road jerseys featured blue stripes and a blue Adidas logo to dot the I. The 78-80 versions had black stripes and Adidas logo. If you have one of these they are willing to sell, I will make it more than worth your while!

John Carbray, Dips GM, Passes at 80

John Carbray, who did so much for the NASL, passed yesterday. Mr. Carbray's influence on soccer in the Washington,DC, area cannot be overstated. His son, Dave, posted the following on social media. "It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I let you know of the passing of my father John L. Carbray after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was a great father, husband, promoter and friend to many. His contributions to the sports and entertainment industry were many but at his core he loved the fans and never forgot where he came from. My brother Kyle and I are proud of our Dad and along with his wife Diane thank you in advance for your thoughts as we mourn. A lifelong baseball man has rounded third heading for home." https://washingtondiplomats.blogspot.com/2015/05/john-carbray.html

Dips Alumni Interviewed at Halftime of DC United's Match During Washington Diplomats Weekend, 2019

https://youtu.be/57KeDAB3rkk

Ane Mihailovich, 1978

Jim Steele & Franz Beckenbauer, 1978

DC United Hosts Washington Diplomats Weekend, 2019

Paul Cannell and photographer John Ruplenas with his most famous photo.

From left, Thomas Rongen, Dave Johnson and Steve Danzansky.

Brian Pillinger, the Diplomats first team captain.

DCU VP Chris Hull and Paul Cannell.

Dips fan Stewart Small and Morrie Diane.

Thomas Rongen and Paul Cannell.

Dave Johnson and longtime Diplomats defender Roy Willner.

Bill Judd and his original drum head.

From left, Roy Willner, Thomas Rongen, Brian Pillinger, Karl Minor, Pete Mehlert, Kip Germain, Steve Danzansky and Paul Cannell are introduced to the the crowd at the DC United vs San Jose Earthquakes match.

Karl Minor, Brian Pillinger, Paul Cannell, Steve Danzansky and Roy Willner during TV interview.

1974 Diplomats Autographs

Dips Reunion Details

The Washington Diplomats Reunion that D.C. United is supporting will take place at Audi Field Suite #1, on Friday, May 31, beginning at 7 pm. Admission to the reunion will be $50 per person, which includes food and welcome drinks. Diplomats alumni who are already planning to attend include Paul Cannell, Carmine Marcantonio, Sonny Askew, Roy Willner, Steve Danzansky, Kurt Kuykendall, Brian Pillinger, Pete Mehlert, Dave Carbray. RSVP to Jim Reed at jreed65844@aol.com asap.

Washington Diplomats Reunion Set- May 31, 2019, 7 pm, Audi Field

DC United will host a reunion for all former players, employees and fans of the Washington Diplomats at Audi Field on Friday, May 31, 2019, beginning at 7 pm. Chris Hull, Vice President, stated, “DC United is very keen to honor the game in the Washington-metro area, and recognize the Diplomats contributions in helping build a foundation for today’s fanbase. Our club owes a debt to the Dips, and would like to celebrate their legacy.” Hull noted that, “specifics will be finalized in the next couple of weeks, but the date is confirmed.”

The event, which will include food and drinks, will take a special look at the 40^th anniversary of the 1979 club, which finished with a franchise best record of 19 wins and 11 losses, including a memorable match against the New England Tea Men at RFK Stadium in the midst of what the Washington Post described as “a game-long downpour that turned the field into a swamp.”

 

Paul Cannell, one of many Diplomat alumni who will be attending the event, recorded a hat trick as the Dips overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to win in overtime, 3-2. DC United is working on  recognizing former Diplomats when they host the San Jose Earthquakes the following evening at Audi Field.

 

To be certain you will be a part of this very special evening and receive further information as it becomes available, please email Jim Reed at jreed65844@aol.com. 

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