Live From RFK.....

Some D.C. United stuff to pass along.....

-- Rookie forward Guy-Roland Kpene has been upgraded to the senior roster, replacing the injured Jamil Walker. His salary goes from $12,900 to about $30,000. "He deserved it," technical director Dave Kasper said.

-- Defender John Wilson is wearing a walking boot to protect a foot injury. He should be back at training in a week or so.

-- Rookie midfielder Kiki Willis has been placed on an MLS suspension list. He will not be paid and United can fill his developmental roster spot. With Kpene promoted and Willis gone, United has two developmental slots to fill. Kasper said the team's search is under way.

Willis had been granted a leave of absence because of family issues in Ohio, but did not report back to the team. Repeated attempts by club officials to reach him have been unsuccessful.

-- Lively practice today, highlighted by an incident between Kpene and Facundo Erpen. The Argentine defender went in with a nasty challenge and Kpene reacted angrily. (If it had been a real match, Erpen would've received at least a yellow.) The whole thing lasted about three seconds. Erpen yelled at Kpene in Spanish and Kpene, who speaks French and English, parrotted him in Spanish.

Said Bobby Boswell: "I think that stuff is good. Not necessarily the dirtiness because you could hurt someone, but they were mixing it up. I like intense practices."