WASHINGTON, D.C. - With their 4-3 Atlantic Cup clinching victory over the New York Red Bulls earlier tonight, D.C. United has earned a top seed in the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs and will enjoy home field advantage for the entire Eastern Conference Playoffs. United will open its Eastern Conference semifinal series, in a game to be played either October 21 or 22, on the road before hosting the second match at RFK Stadium on October 29 at 6:00 p.m. before a nationwide television audience on espn2. Should the Black-and-Red advance to the Eastern Conference Final, the club would host the match at RFK Stadium on either November 4 or 5. MLS Cup is set for Dallas, TX on November 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
Season ticket and other plan holders are currently able to renew their seats for all home playoff dates, while group tickets are also available for purchase. Two-game strips will be available to current plan holders or to those who put in a deposit for a 2007 plan, under the following options: Field ($250), Club/Boxes ($150), Mezzanine ($80, $60 youth), VIP ($70, $46 youth), Premium ($50, $40 youth) and Spectator ($40, $30 youth). Each playoff strip purchase will include a limited edition 2006 Blackout t-shirt. Additionally, a special playoff 4-pack is now available. For $120 (+ shipping), fans will receive four premium tickets and four 2006 Blackout t-shirts. Fans are encouraged to visit dcunited.com or call 202-587-5000 to order. Individual tickets for the October 29 match will go on sale October 1.
With tonight's result, United (15-4-10, 55 points) boasts a standings point total that cannot be matched by any of their Eastern Conference rivals. The Black-and-Red can now work to secure the Supporters Shield - which goes to the team with the best record in all of Major League Soccer. United will clinch the team's third Supporters Shield with any combination of three standings points earned by the Black-and-Red or lost by FC Dallas (15-10-4, 49 points). The winner of the Supporters Shield will be one of the teams that will represent Major League Soccer in international play next season.
This season's appearance will be D.C. United's eighth in the MLS Cup Playoffs. United missed the playoffs during only three seasons, 2000-2002. With four championships ('96, '97, '99 & '04) and five MLS Cup appearances (a loss in '98), United is the most successful team in MLS history.
