WASHINGTON, D.C. - Major League Soccer and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol announced today the participating teams and schedule for the 2008 SuperLiga. The North American tournament rounds up clubs from the MLS and the Mexican First Division for a summer competition that boasts the biggest first place prize in North American soccer history with $1 million awarded to the winner. D.C. United earned a berth in the tournament as the 2007 Supporter's Shield winner. The Black-and-Red will play all of their SuperLiga opening round games at home, facing eleven-time Mexican First Division champion CD Guadalajara on Saturday, July 12, reigning Mexican First Division champion Atlante on Tuesday, July 15, and the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, July 19. All games are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
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"D.C. United enjoys a proud history of hosting and winning major international matches," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "We are very much looking forward to this tournament and look forward to measuring ourselves against Mexico's best."
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Tickets for SuperLiga matches are included in season ticket packages and selected other promotional packages available online at www.dcunited.com or by calling (202) 587-5000. Individual tickets will be available online at www.dcunited.com and through all TicketMaster outlets beginning Friday, April 11.
Joining United in the 2008 SuperLiga will be MLS sides Chivas USA, the 2007 Western Conference champion, MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo and MLS Cup finalist New England Revolution. The Mexican clubs taking part in the competition are CD Guadalajara, Apertura 2007 winner Atlante, two-time Mexican First Division champion Santos Laguna and last year's SuperLiga winner, Pachuca CF.
In the inaugural 2007 SuperLiga, Mexican side Pachuca CF took home the prize and crowned themselves North American champions after defeating LA Galaxy in a penalty kick shootout. D.C. United had reached the semifinals of the first time tournament but fell to the Galaxy squad 2-0.
The participating clubs are divided into two groups with representatives from each league equally divided:
Group A |
Group B |
|---|---|
D.C. United (MLS) |
Chivas USA (MLS) |
Houston Dynamo (MLS) |
New England Revolution (MLS) |
CD Guadalajara (Mexico) |
Pachuca CF (Mexico) |
Atlante (Mexico) |
Santos Laguna (Mexico) |
SuperLiga 2008 Schedule
(All Times Eastern) / * Subject to change
Saturday, July 12
D.C. United vs. CD Guadalajara (RFK Stadium) 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15
D.C. United vs. Atlante (RFK Stadium) 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium) 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29
Semifinal 1 (Venue TBD)
Wednesday, July 30
Semifinal 2 (Venue TBD)
Tuesday, August 5
Final (Venue TBD)
