CHANTILLY, Va., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- National team stalwart Earnie Stewart will make his Major League Soccer debut with D.C. United.
Stewart, 33, the U.S. squad's all-time leader in minutes played in the World Cup, signed with United Wednesday after playing in his native Holland for the past 14 seasons. Terms of Stewart's contract with MLS have not been released.
The player allocation represents one of the two held by United for the 2003 campaign, including one acquired by the team in a December trade with the MetroStars that sent national team defender Eddie Pope, Jaime Moreno and Richie Williams to the MetroStars for Mike Petke and a draft pick.
Stewart, a midfielder and forward who helped the Americans reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup last June, had spent the last seven seasons with NAC Breda of the Dutch Honor Division. But the club was unable to re-sign the dual citizen due to financial difficulties and granted Stewart a free transfer in December.
"I am very excited to make this move to a class organization like D.C. United and Major League Soccer," Stewart said. "In addition, coming to MLS is something I've always wanted to do. The United States is my home, even though I've been away since my youth.
“Since the U.S. performance at the World Cup last summer, Europeans have taken notice of American soccer and MLS after ignoring us for years."
Stewart's 111 goals during his professional career in Holland stands as the record for an internationally based U.S. player. He is also one of only five players in the history of the national team to play in three World Cups. His 11 caps ties Los Angeles Galaxy striker Cobi Jones for the most by any U.S. player.
"We are extremely plaesed with the signing of Earnie Stewart," United technical director Dave Kasper said. "His experience with several clubs in the Dutch First Division and at three World Cups with the national team will be a tremendous asset to our organization."
Stewart will join United for training in the first week of February.
