DMV Star of the Week - Luis Barraza

Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.” 

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This week’s DMV Star of the Week Award goes to D.C. United Goalkeeper Luis Barraza. 

In his sixth and seventh starts of the season, Barraza had his first two clean sheets of the year, going back-to-back games without allowing a goal. 

First, in Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw against New York City FC, Barraza made 6 saves. Then, on Saturday night against Nashville, he made 5 more saves en route to yet another 0-0 draw. 

Unfortunately, D.C. United could not make a breakthrough and score in either contest, leaving the team with just a point despite two brilliant performances by the United goalkeeper. 

D.C. United remains in 12th in MLS after 14 matches. 

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The DMV saw five teams in action this past week, including the Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, Washington Spirit, and D.C. United.

Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week: 

• Washington Nationals Shortstop CJ Abrams hit 4 homeruns last week, including two in Sunday’s 10-4 victory over the Orioles in Baltimore

• Washington Spirit Defender Casey Krueger scored the equalizing goal for Washington in the 102’ to secure a point for the Spirit in a 3-3 draw. 

• Washington Nationals Left Fielder James Wood had 7 RBIs in seven games for the Nats this past week, including 2 RBIs each in Friday’s win and Sunday’s win over Baltimore.

• Washington Mystics Guard Brittney Sykes dropped 27 points in Sunday’s 90-85 win over Connecticut after scoring 22 in the season-opener against Atlanta, lifting Washington to a 2-0 start to the season. 

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Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:

• Washington Nationals (21-27, 4th in NL East)

  • 5/20 vs. Atlanta

  • 5/21 vs. Atlanta

  • 5/22 vs. Atlanta

  • 5/23 vs. San Francisco

  • 5/24 vs. San Francisco

  • 5/25 vs. San Francisco

• Washington Mystics (2-0, 1st in Eastern Conference)

  • 5/21 @ Golden State

  • 5/23 @ Las Vegas

• D.C. United (3-5-6, 14 points - 12th in Eastern Conference)

  • 5/21 vs. Charlotte (U.S. Open Cup - Round of 16)

  • 5/24 vs. New York Red Bulls

• Washington Spirit (5-1-3, 16 points - 5th in NWSL)

  • 5/23 @ Seattle

*Denotes games I will be covering in-person