The number "34" has played an inordinately prominent role in the history of Houston professional sports. Who can forget the 'Tyler Rose", #34 Earl Campbell, the great Oiler running back, rambling down the field scoring touchdowns in the Astrodome?

Find out what the print and blog worlds are saying about all things D.C. United in the newest edition of the D.C. United Newsstand.

The Chivas USA U-18's captured a 1-0 victory over Caracas FC on Tuesday in the Copa Chivas 2008 in Guadalajara, giving the Red-and-White its first victory of the tournament.

With FC Dallas set to begin their preparations for the 2008 season later this week, striker Kenny Cooper is ready to assume the mantle of leadership that will come with him at the forefront of the Hoops attack.

D.C. United ended an eventful offseason with a bang on Tuesday afternoon, officially introducing Argentinean international Marcelo Gallardo as the club's first-ever designated player signing at the National Press Club in downtown Washington.

Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole were teammates and friends at Arsenal, but in terms of character, they are worlds apart.

These two articles, both from London's Sun newspaper, highlight how Henry, the Barcelona and France striker, takes his responsibilities as a citizen seriously while Cole, the Chelsea defender, appears to have gone off the rails.

Henry, who has often reiterated his love of the United States and his desire to live in New York in the future, was devastated when he was unable to host a cystic fibrosis fundraiser and called on close friend David Beckham to fill in for him.

Meanwhile, more revelations about the sordid antics of Cole's private life continue to emerge, much to the dismay of England fans and his Chelsea employers.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"I'm as fit as I can be. I'm fit and sharp and I'm ready to be selected" – David Beckham on his hopes of being picked for England's February 6 friendly against Switzerland.

D.C. United announced today the club has agreed to transfer midfielder Bryan Arguez to Hertha Berlin of the German Bundesliga.

Find out what the print and blog worlds are saying about all things D.C. United in the newest edition of the D.C. United Newsstand.

The Dynamo has signed 33-year-old Tony Caig to a Major League Soccer contract. Caig will add depth behind starter Pat Onstad.

While some teams use the offseason to overhaul their rosters in search of an elusive winning formula, D.C. United can attribute a lot of their recent success to keeping a core group of players, while strengthening the squad in small doses.