Midfielder Justin Mapp's eight-year stint with the Fire came to an end when he was sent to the expansion Philadelphia Union. The Fire received an undisclosed amount of allocation money in exchange for Mapp, who was drafted fourth overall by D.C. United in 2002.
Mapp's acquisition by the Fire was a big deal at the time, as popular midfielder Dema Kovalenko was sent to United in the swap.
In going to Philadelphia Mapp will now play for a former Fire captain. Peter Nowak, who wore the armband for the Fire during its first five seasons, is the Union head coach and also was a head coach at D.C. United after his playing days ended.
Mapp had 14 goals and 36 assists in 174 games for the Fire and helped the club win two U.S. Open Cups.