D.C. United announced today the club will honor United legend Marco Etcheverry with a tribute match on October 20, prior to the team's final regular season game versus the Columbus Crew (7:30 p.m. ET). At the match D.C. United will honor the 10-year anniversary of D.C. United's 1997 Championship. The game will be preceded by the tribute match at 5 p.m. and pit United's 1997 MLS Cup championship team versus Hollywood United, a team made up of former MLS stars and celebrities. Tickets to the double-header are available through www.dcunited.com.
"Marco is arguably the greatest player to ever grace Major League Soccer," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "Honoring him with a tribute match is a fitting way for us to thank El Diablo for all that he has done for D.C. United. I expect that our supporters will join us in great numbers for this celebration."
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.
Those expected to join Etchverry as part of the 1997 Championship tribute and to participate in the pre-game match include John Harkes, Jeff Agoos, Richie Williams, Raul Diaz Arce, Brian Kamler, David Vaudreuil, John Maessner, Scott Garlick and Tom Presthus. Vaudreuil currently serves as the Executive Director of Hollywood United.
Etcheverry and his 1997 MLS Cup Champion teammates will be matched against a host of stars of soccer and screen in the tribute match. Among those scheduled to appear for Hollywood United are former MLS Stars Carlos Valderrama, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Tab Ramos, Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda and Alex Pineda Chacon. International stars also scheduled to play include French National team player Frank LeBouef, Scottish international Richard Gough and Ramon Ramirez of Mexico. Scheduled to join these soccer luminaries will be "Without a Trace" star, Anthony LaPaglia, Jimmy Jean Louis of "Heroes" and Vinny Jones from the movie "Snatch". 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.
