D.C. United to present checks to Black-owned Restaurants at Halftime
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2024) - D.C. United have today announced the activations and initiatives ahead of the Juneteenth Theme Night match supported by Steamfitters on Wednesday, June 19 against Atlanta United FC at Audi Field.
June 19, 1865, marks the date that enslaved African Americans in Texas received word on their emancipation, over two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into effect by Abraham Lincoln. Since 2020, Major League Soccer, its clubs, and fans have celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States.
D.C. United has proudly celebrated Juneteenth alongside MLS for the last three seasons and will continue to honor the historical significance of Juneteenth and Black history with several matchday events and activations for fans to celebrate this year.
The full list of activations is below:
Party at the Pitch presented in partnership with PEPSI
- Ahead of the match, D.C. United will host its Party at the Pitch event outside of Gate A at Sandlot Southwest from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be music from DJ Reece and a variety of food trucks including Roaming Rooster, Mr. Fries Man, Flame and Cones, and Southern Peach BBQ.
Pre-Match Shirt - I AM PLAYERS FOR CHANGE
- Major League Soccer is collaborating with Black Players For Change, an independent organization of Black MLS players, coaches, and staff working to bridge the racial equality gap in soccer and society. Black Players for Change, MLS, and adidas introduced a special edition pre-match “I AM #19” shirt that acknowledges the significance of Juneteenth. The pre-match shirt designed by adidas will be worn by players during anthem walkouts prior to MLS matches played between June 15 and June 19.
Half Time Check Presentation supported by Steamfitters in conjunction with the RAMW
- D.C. United supported by Steamfitters and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) will present checks to Black-owned food vendors at Audi Field during halftime of the Juneteenth match. The checks will assist with the enhancement of their refrigeration systems. This year’s recipients are Ms. Toya’s Creole Kitchen, Queen Mother’s, RX Catering, and Half Smoke.
Small Business Pass
- D.C. United will be actively promoting the Small Business Pass initiative, which aims to encourage fans to support locally owned businesses in the DMV area. This will be achieved through various promotions and incentives funded by the D.C. United Foundation. For more information and to access the Small Business Pass, click here.
The Museum DC Pop Up Shop
- D.C. United and The Museum DC will continue to celebrate their historic clothing collaboration with a pop-up shop at Audi Field on the day of the match. To learn more about the co-branded clothing line and to purchase items, click here.
Local Non-Profits to Support
- During the match, D.C. United will highlight and amplify local community organizations, including Peace for DC, Playtime Project, FAN DC, and Innocence Project, through tabling opportunities on the concourse for fans to learn more about the organizations and support their causes.
- Additionally, there will be a 50/50 Raffle benefiting DC SCORES, a Club Shop Round-Up, Levy Concession Donations, and Name in Lights benefiting the DCU Foundation.
For more information about D.C. United and for tickets to the Juneteenth celebration match, please visit: www.dcunited.com.
About D.C. United
One of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996, D.C. United are among the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophies.
D.C. United have called the District home for the last 28 seasons and play their home games at Audi Field in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest, Washington, D.C, which opened in 2018. In addition to D.C. United games, the 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium hosts over 100 events year-round and is home to America’s number one sportsbook through a partnership with FanDuel Group.
The Black-and-Red train at the Inova Performance Complex, a state-of-the-art training facility and performance center located in Leesburg, Va. The 40,000 square foot 30-acre training facility, that opened in 2021, features four outdoor practice fields, and a training center equipped with a weight room and recovery facilities.
The Black-and-Red have won the MLS Cup four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004), the Supporters’ Shield four times (1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times (1996, 2008 and 2013). For more information and club updates, please visit http://www.dcunited.com and find us on social media @dcunited.
