WASHINGTON - D.C. United announced today details of Hispanic Pride Week, beginning on August 13 before United's game versus Chivas USA and culminating a week later on Sunday, August 21, following the August 20 game versus the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"Each season, United looks forward to this week of celebrating Latino culture with our great Hispanic fans," said United Sr. Vice President Stephen Zack. "This year, we're proud to have taken steps to broaden the scope of our celebrations, reaching out to a wider variety of native countries and soccer-specific interests. Combined with games against Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy, this week offers great opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Latin culture and D.C. United soccer."
Throughout the course of the week, United, in partnership with Telemundo, will host ball-juggling contests for boys and girls ages 10-16. The top three finishers in each age group will win four free tickets to United's game versus the Galaxy, where the kids will compete at halftime for a chance to win a United gift pack and four free ticket vouchers to a future game at RFK.
On Wednesday, August 17, United will be present at the Latino Family Fair at Bell Multicultural High School in the District from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair is hosted by the D.C. Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs and will also feature opportunities to enter the ball-juggling contest.
The festivities continue on Saturday, August 20 when United hosts Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy on Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night. The game-day activities will feature live music, traditional Latin cuisine, interactive games and a ceremony at halftime honoring local community leaders and the 2004 Latin American Soccer League Champions from the metropolitan area. Each team will be presented with an official MLS match ball and a certificate of recognition. United will also make a $1000 donation to the general scholarship fund of Bell Multicultural High School in the District to further the advancement of education of Hispanic students.
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Additionally on August 20, a pre-game soccer tournament featuring all-star teams comprised of the Manassas Soccer League, Central American Soccer League, Virginia International Soccer League and Maryland International Soccer League will kickoff at 2:00 p.m. on the RFK training field. The winner of the four-team tournament will hoist the Hispanic Pride Week Cup and receive $1000 in prize money. The runner-up will receive $500.
The pre-game fiesta will commence at 4:30 p.m. on the RFK auxiliary fields and will remain open until kick-off. The festivities are open to the general public and will feature live music by local Latin bands Banda Kaliente, Javier Julian and Mariachi Sin Fronteras.
Supporting sponsors of Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night include Amerigroup, D.C. Lottery, Kohl's, Western Union, US Airways, Sprint PCS and Domino's. Media sponsors include Telemundo, El Zol and El Tiempo Latino.
Finally, on Sunday, August 21, United will host a soccer clinic for Latino youth ages 12-17 on the RFK Auxiliary Fields from 2-6 p.m. In order to participate in the soccer clinic, youth must write a short essay (200-300 words) in Spanish entitled "Why I'm Proud to be Hispanic."
All entries should be submitted to D.C. United via fax at 202-587-5400 or bflores@dcunited.com. Essays will be accepted until Monday, August 15, 2005. The clinic is sponsored by Radio America, El Tiempo Latino and United's Hispanic Advisory Committee.
