Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2009) - D.C. United announced today that it will play host to an international friendly with legendary Spanish club Real Madrid. The match, to be held at FedExField, will take place on Sunday, August 9 at 3 p.m. ET. As a result, the previously scheduled Major League Soccer match against the Kansas City Wizards will be moved to September 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
“This is an exciting opportunity for D.C. United and our fans,” said United President Kevin Payne. “We played a terrific match with Real Madrid in Seattle two years ago, and the largest soccer crowd in Qwest Field history watched us come from behind in a 1-1 draw. We are expecting a huge crowd at FedExField to see the most successful club in the history of world soccer take on the most successful team in the history of American soccer. It should be a great match.”
Real Madrid currently boasts a roster laden with world-class talent, including the club’s all-time leading scorer and team captain Raul Gonzalez, Spanish National Team goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos and Argentine National Team member Fernando Gago. In addition, any new summer player signings by the club will participate in the game.
United planholders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this friendly before the general public sale at a reduced price. Ticket prices for planholders start at $50 for seats on the endline, $60 on the sideline, and $70 for midfield view seats. Club level seats will also be available to planholders at a discounted price of $80 for an endline view, $90 for a corner seat, and $100 for a midfield view. Special hospitality packages will also be available.
Additionally, a special multi-game package for individuals and a two-game package for groups of 20 or more will be available starting June 8. Single game tickets for individuals and groups will go on sale to the general public on June 17 through Ticketmaster, with seats in the lower bowl ranging from $60 for the endline, $75 for sideline and $90 for midfield seats.
United has played Real Madrid on one prior occasion - a friendly held at Seattle’s Qwest Field on August 9, 2006. Before a raucous crowd of 66,830 fans, United held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw, with the lone goal for the Black-and-Red coming from former striker Alecko Eskandarian. Current United players Christian Gomez, Jaime Moreno, Bryan Namoff and Ben Olsen were among the starters that day.
Based in Madrid, Spain, Real Madrid is one of the largest and most successful soccer teams in the world. Possessing more than one hundred years of rich history, they bring their storied tradition to Washington, D.C. for the very first time. Their numerous trophies include a record 31 La Liga titles (finishing in second place 17 times), 17 Spanish Cups, nine European Cups and two UEFA Cups. The club, founded in 1902, has played in the highest level of Spanish competition-the Primera Division of the Liga de Futbol Profesional-since its inception. Playing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which boasts a capacity just north of 80,000, in downtown Madrid, the illustrious club was named by FIFA as the Best Club of the 20th century.
For more information or to purchase packages, please call D.C. United at (202) 587-5000 or visit www.dcunited.com .
Timeline
May 28 - Planholders may purchase tickets
June 8 - General public may purchase multi-game package or two-game group package
June 17 - General public may purchase single game tickets
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
