WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United announced Monday that the club will face Guatemalan first division side Municipal in an international friendly match on September 29 at RFK Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 8 p.m. ET. In addition, a pre-game fiesta will take place in Lot 8 of RFK featuring live "merengue" music by top Latin band Oro Solido. The band was originally scheduled to perform on August 14 but the event was cancelled due to inclimate weather.
"In keeping with our tradition of hosting top-flight international competitions, we are pleased to host Municipal of Guatemala for a friendly match," said Dave Kasper, technical director for D.C. United. "Municipal is one of the most storied clubs in Guatemala, and we look forward to an exciting match."
Municipal is one of the top clubs in Guatemala. Founded in 1938, the popular "Rojos" have amassed 20 championships in the Guatemalan first division. In addition, Municipal captured the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1974.
The head coach of Municipal is Ever Hugo Almeida, a Paraguayan who has guided the squad to three titles in his three years at the helm. The "Rojos" boast an impressive roster led by striker Juan Carlos Plata, the all-time leading scorer for Guatemala's national team with 28 goals.
Municipal's roster includes six members of the Guatemalan national team: Plata, midfielders Guillermo Ramirez, Claudio Albizuris and Gonzalo Romero, defender Pablo Melgar and forward Mario Rodriguez. Ramirez, Romero, Melgar and Rodriguez all started in Guatemala's recent 2-0 victory over Canada in a World Cup Qualifier.
This game is included in all D.C. United full-season ticket plans as Special Event "C", as well as Half Season Plan B packages. Flex Plan ticket vouchers will also be accepted for this match. Individual tickets - ranging in price from $18-$36 - are currently available by calling D.C. United at 202-587-5000, through TicketMaster outlets, or by logging on to www.dcunited.com.
