Reigning MLS Cup Champions D.C. United today announced dates and match-ups comprising the club's 32-game 2005 League schedule. The Black-and-Red will open the season at The Home Depot Center against expansion club Club Deportivo Chivas USA. The game will highlight the first weekend of action for the league's 10th season and is set for a national television audience on ABC at 3:00 p.m. ET. United will open their home schedule at RFK Stadium by hosting the Chicago Fire on April 9th at 7:30 p.m. Start times for the remaining dates will be announced in conjunction with the national television schedule in the near future.
"Following a short off-season, D.C. United is ready to pursue our lofty goals for 2005," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "We are pleased to continue to call RFK Stadium home and that the integrity of our schedule was not compromised in sharing the facility with another tenant. Best of all, our sideline seating is unchanged, so we can once again count on our fans to make RFK the best home field in the League. This is going to be another great year for our organization, our players and our supporters."
A host of additional highlights are present in D.C. United's 2005 schedule. The Atlantic Cup competition against the MetroStars will open on June 12th at Giants Stadium. Throughout the season, the MetroStars and United will meet three other times, August 10th, October 1st, and October 8th. The first rematch of MLS Cup 2004 against the Kansas City Wizards will be at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, April 30th.
Full season, half season and flex ticket plans are now on sale through the D.C. United office at 202-587-5000. All plans come with flexibility, easier access into RFK, access to special events, special prices for children, service from MLS' premier customer service department and great savings. Prices range from $16 for Spectator level (endline) seating through $40 for Mezzanine level seating. Group pricing (minimum of 20 tickets) ranges from $13 (Spectator) to $30 (Mezzanine). Individual match tickets will be available later in February through all TicketMaster outlets, via www.dcunited.com, via www.ticketmaster.com, via TicketMaster Phone Charge and at the RFK Stadium box office. Group tickets are also available through the D.C. United office.
D.C. United's 32-game MLS schedule includes four games (two home, two away) against each Eastern Conference opponent - Chicago, Columbus, MetroStars, New England, and Kansas City - as well as home and road match-ups against clubs from the Western Conference. The Black-and-Red's 2005 MLS campaign features 24 Saturday games, one Sunday game, and seven weekday home matches. The 32-week MLS season allows for mid-week U.S. Open Cup match dates as well as the possibility of international exhibition games.
By competing in the 2004 MLS Cup, D.C. United earned entry into the 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup, a regional competition for domestic title-holders. United will face Harbour View FC (JAM) in a home-and-away quarterfinal match-up Wednesday, March 9th at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, MD and Wednesday, March 16th at Harbour View Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Kick-off for both matches is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The March 9th match is not part of United's season ticket packages and all tickets must be purchased separately. All tickets for the March 9th game are general admission and cost $20 in advance. D.C. United season ticket holders and groups of 20 or more may purchase seats to the game for $16 each. Children under two will be admitted free of charge. D.C. United is accepting season ticket and group orders now at 202-587-5000. Individual game tickets will go on sale through TicketMaster and the Maryland SoccerPlex at a later date.
2005 D.C United Half-season Plan A
DAY -- DATE -- OPPONENT -- TIME
Saturday -- April 9 -- Chicago -- 7:30 p.m.
Saturday -- May 7 -- Columbus -- TBA
Saturday -- May 21 -- Kansas City -- TBA
Saturday -- June 18 -- New England -- TBA
Friday -- July 15 -- San Jose -- TBA
Thursday -- July 28 -- Salt Lake -- TBA
Saturday -- August 13 -- Chivas -- TBA
Saturday -- October 8 -- New York -- TBA
Special event A
2005 D.C United Half-season Plan B
DAY -- DATE -- OPPONENT -- TIME
Saturday -- April 23 -- New England -- TBA
Saturday -- May 28 -- Dallas -- TBA
Wednesday -- June 15 -- Chicago -- TBA
Saturday -- July 9 -- Kansas City -- TBA
Wednesday -- August 10 -- New York -- TBA
Saturday -- August 20 -- Los Angeles -- TBA
Saturday -- September 17 -- Colorado -- TBA
Saturday -- October 15 -- Columbus -- TBA
Special event B
