WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United today was informed the MLS Cup Champions will play the winner of the 2004 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship Final, between Jamaican clubs Harbour View FC and Tivoli Gardens FC, in the first round of the 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup. As a result from today's drawing, the eight participants have been paired to play a two-leg, straight knockout , home-and-away series, from March 9th - May 11th, 2005. The Black-and-Red will host their first-round, Jamaican opponent on March 9th before traveling to face the same team in Jamaica on March 16th. Times and locations of both matches will be determined at a later date.
"We are pleased with the outcome of today's draw and we are excited to begin competing in the 2005 Champion's Cup," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper.
D.C. United's first round opponent will be officially determined tonight when Harbour View FC and Tivoli Gardens FC face off for the second leg of their Carribbean final. The game is set for a 7:00 kick-off at Edward Seaga Stadium. The clubs drew 1-1 in the first leg of their championship series.
Should United advance to the semifinal round, the club would face the winner of Pumas UNAM (MEX) and CD Olimpia (HON) on April 6th and 13th. Other pairings have CF Monterrey (MEX) meeting CSD Municipal (GUA) and the Kansas City Wizards facing Deportivo Saprissa (CRC). The championship series is set for May 4th and 11th with the winner of the 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup advancing to the FIFA Club World Championship to be held in Japan in December of next year.
The CONCACAF Champions' Cup is the longest running international club competition in the region and has crowned the champion club of the Confederation since its inception in 1962. Today's draw, held at the offices of the CONCACAF General Scretariat in New York City, was presided over by CONCACAF President Jack Warner, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer and the rest of the members of the CONCACAF Executive Committee.
