Washington, D.C. – In conjunction with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region’s premier source for television and online sports coverage, D.C. United today announced the extension of their longstanding partnership with the network, as well as the regional television schedule for the 2011 Major League Soccer campaign.
As part of the deal, Comcast SportsNet will provide United supporters unsurpassed coverage of the Black-and-Red, airing 17 regular season games this season, beginning with Saturday night’s (March 19) season-opening match against the Columbus Crew. United also announced today that the club’s home match with Houston on June 25 will kick-off at 6:00 p.m., the result of national television considerations associated with the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“We’re excited to again be working alongside our long-time partners at Comcast SportsNet,” said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. “They continue to place tremendous effort and resources to bring the Black-and-Red into the homes of our supporters.”
In addition to this week’s season opener against Columbus, additional highlights of this season’s regional television schedule on Comcast SportsNet include March 26 at New England, May 14 against the defending MLS Cup-champion Colorado Rapids and the team’s first visit to the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with United and look forward to another great season of comprehensive soccer coverage on our network,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Rebecca Schulte. “The combination of our news, digital and live-game coverage of the Black-and-Red makes Comcast SportsNet the one-stop source for their loyal and passionate fan-base.”
A fixture in the broadcast booth since the inaugural season, Comcast SportsNet’s Dave Johnson enters his 16th year as the television voice of D.C. United. One of the premier soccer announcers in the United States, Johnson has done play-by-play of both outdoor and indoor soccer for nearly 20 years, appearing on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Soccer Channel, Prime Network, ESPN, and Pax Networks. On radio, Johnson has been behind the microphone for the 2000 MLS Cup, the 2000 Gold Cup, the 2000 Olympic qualifying tournament, and several US Men’s National Team friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. His work as sports director at WTOP Radio was honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2008. In the summer of 2006, Johnson served as play-by-play announcer for XM radio’s World Cup coverage and was behind the microphone for 26 games including the final in Berlin.
Thomas Rongen will also return to the broadcast booth in 2011 to partner with Johnson, continuing his second stint with Comcast SportsNet as an analyst. The former United coach also spent 2002-2004 as the station’s analyst. Rongen’s playing career began with Ajax Amsterdam from 1975-1979, before he made the move to America and the NASL in 1979. He played with the Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (later the Minnesota Strikers) during his tenure in America. Rongen began his coaching career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1989-1994) and also served during the same time as head coach for Nova Southeastern University (1991-1995), before becoming one of the inaugural coaches in MLS. He started with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996, winning the MLS Coach of the Year Award before moving to the New England Revolution (1997-1998). Following, he joined D.C. United and led the club to its third MLS Cup in 1999. He then served as the head coach of the Under-20 United States Men’s National team (2001-2005), before being named as head coach of Chivas USA for the team’s inaugural season in 2005. He currently serves as the U.S. U-20 Head Coach.
Comcast SportsNet anchor and reporter Russ Thaler will again handle sideline reporting duties for United home games this season. A veteran reporter, Thaler is entering his 11th season covering the Black-and-Red for the network.
Comcast SportsNet’s 2011 coverage of D.C. United will also include live post-game elements such as analysis, highlights and interviews in United Postgame Live or within SportsNet Central following each game. The network will also provide fans pre-game elements and player features within Washington Post Live and SportsNet Central, as well as comprehensive coverage throughout each week at CSNwashington.com.
