The not-so-soothing, disembodied voice of radio station DC 101’s “Elliot in the Morning” boomed forth from a black van, startling commuters passing the McLean Youth Soccer (MYS) field at Spring Hill and Lewinsville Roads in McLean on Tuesday.
“Flounder,” the personality who serves as fodder for many of Elliot’s jokes, was out on the field, playing soccer with DC United star midfielder Ben Olsen. Elliot was back in the studio, providing a play by play.
It took place before 9 a.m. on a hot July day as MYS, DC 101, and DC United promoted the two commercial interests while raising money and public interest for non-profit MYS.
“If our members buy tickets, we get a refund,” said Jeff Lesher of MYS, who helped arrange the event. “It helps with field improvements.
“We need all kinds of angles to make it work,” he said.
The first 101 people to arrive at the field got free tickets to DC United’s Aug. 9 game with the New England Revolution.
They could also enter a drawing to participate in a “shootout” at the game’s halftime, The winner will go on a road trip to New York with the United, said Jamie O’Conner, a United spokesman.
As for Flounder, he was living up to his sobriquet, dressed in a red baseball helmet and black sweatpants as he tried to stop the trajectory of a soccer ball propelled toward the net by Olsen.
“I [last] played in the first and second grade,” Flounder said.
“I’m 24 now. I don’t need shin guards.”
<tl>-Beverly Crawford