On Saturday, D.C. United is set to honor United legend Marco Etcheverry with a tribute match, while also recognizing the ten-year anniversary of the club's 1997 MLS Cup championship. The tribute match will take place prior to the first team's regular season finale versus the Columbus Crew (7:30 p.m. ET) and pit the '97 MLS Cup championship team versus Hollywood United, a team made up of former MLS stars and celebrities. Kick-off for the tribute match is set for 5:30 p.m. ET. Tickets to the double header are available via www.dcunited.com or by calling United's offices at 202-587-5000.
"We are looking forward to a fantastic evening of soccer," said Executive Vice President Stephen Zack. "After recently capturing our fourth Supporters' Shield and eleventh major trophy, it is the perfect time to look back and honor those who began this club's winning tradition."
Among those confirmed to join Etcheverry as part of the '97 MLS Cup team are John Harkes, Jeff Agoos, Richie Williams, Raul Diaz Arce, Brian Kamler, David Vaudreuil, John Maessner, AJ Wood, Mark Simpson, Scott Garlick and Tom Presthus. Vaudreuil currently serves as the Executive Director of Hollywood United.
Etcheverry and his 1997 MLS Cup teammates will be matched against a host of stars of soccer and screen in the tribute match. Among those confirmed to take part in the game for Hollywood United are former MLS stars Tab Ramos, Eric Wynalda, Alex Pineda Chacon and Mauricio Ramos. International stars also scheduled to play include French National team legend Frank LeBouef, Scottish international Richard Gough, Swiss professional Oliver Biaggi, local product and former MLS player Derk Droze, former U.S. international Yari Alnutt and Juan Carlos Ruiz of Bolivia, a former teammate of Etcheverry's. Scheduled to join these soccer luminaries will be "Without a Trace" star, Anthony LaPaglia, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell and Hootie & the Blowfish drummer Jim "Soni" Sonefeld. In addition to his burgeoning acting career, LaPaglia serves as chairman of HUFC and is a part of the ownership group of Sydney FC of the Australian A League.
A seven-time MLS All-Star, Etcheverry is one of the most accomplished players in League history. Etcheverry's cultured left foot carried the Black-and-Red to MLS Cup titles in 1996, 1997, and 1999, earning individual accolades as Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player in 1998 and MLS Cup MVP honors in 1996. The talented midfielder earned MVP honors for the 2002 Pepsi All-Star Game played at RFK Stadium. He was named to the League's Best XI squad four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999. In 2005, Etcheverry was named to the League's All-Time Best XI and currently stands fourth in MLS's all-time assist rankings (101).
Etcheverry remains D.C. United's all-time leader in assists (101) and game-winning assists (25). He ranks second all-time in games played (191), games started (180), minutes played (16,305), shots (319), shots on goal (156) and game-winning goals (11). Etcheverry announced his retirement as a player on January 22, 2004, having finished his eighth MLS campaign with six goals and seven assists in 2003. One of his goals served as a game-winner, while four others helped D.C. to earn draws. Etcheverry appeared in 25 games for the Black-and-Red that season, including 21 as a starter.
