D.C. United has announced the 1998 D.C. United team will be returning to RFK Stadium to be honored at halftime on a night the club pays tribute to local military members and public servants during the Seventh Annual Hometown Heroes Night. Geoff Aunger, Judah Cooks, Marco Etcheverry, Scott Garlick, John Harkes, Brian Kamler, Roy Lassiter, Carlos Llamosa, Jaime Moreno, Ben Olsen, Eddie Pope, Tom Presthus, Mark Simpson and AJ Wood will all be in attendance on Saturday, September 13 when the Black-and-Red host FC Dallas. Kickoff for the game, to be aired nationally on Fox Soccer Channel, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
"Our club is honored to pay tribute to heroes both from the field and the community on Saturday night," said United Executive Vice President Stephen Zack. "We hope our great supporters will join us en masse Saturday night in recognition of their efforts."
The 1998 D.C. United squad has been called by many as the best-ever to grace the fields of Major League Soccer. The team flew through the regular season finishing with a 24-8 record and tallying an impressive 74 goals, while allowing just 48. Though the squad fell to the Chicago Fire in the '98 MLS Cup, the club went on to become the first squad from the United States to capture the prestigious CONCACAF Champions' Cup, defeating storied Mexican club CD Toluca 1-0. United went on to defeat Vasco da Gama of Brazil 2-1 on aggregate in the InterAmerican Cup on a 77th minute goal from Eddie Pope. Success of such magnitude has not been matched since the club's historic victories.
The Seventh Annual Hometown Heroes Night, presented by United Bank, honors local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical personnel. D.C. United will offer these and other public safety groups discounted tickets to the match. Associate sponsors American Airlines, and GEICO, working in conjunction with America Supports You, have helped to make this event possible.
Prior to Saturday's match, DCFD Chief Dennis Rubin will kick out the ceremonial match ball accompanied by Sparky, the DCFD Mascot. Local law enforcement officials, as well as Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel will join the DCFD. Fire trucks and firefighting equipment will be on hand at Soccer Celebration for fans to inspect, and area firefighters will be available as well to answer regarding equipment and the latest fire fighting techniques. Additionally, the first 5,000 kids 16 and under in attendance at Saturday's match will receive a free United Bank D.C. United hat. 5,000 copies of a 1998 Year in Review video will be distributed following the game.
Tickets are available to all Fire, Police, EMS and Government Departments and their families (with identification) for $15 in advance and $22 day of game. Tickets may be purchased by calling the United offices at 202-587-5000 or by visiting Main Gate day of game. The general public may purchase tickets by calling United's front office or by logging on to dcunited.com.
