D.C. United announced today the club’s preliminary preseason schedule, as the team prepares for the 2012 Major League Soccer campaign. United begins its 17th MLS season with a First Kick Weekend match on Saturday, March 10. The club’s opponent and kickoff time for this contest will be determined at a later date.
Players are set to report to RFK Stadium on Sunday, January 15 for physicals and fitness testing. The Black-and-Red begin training in Washington that day before departing the Metropolitan Area on January 23 for Sarasota, Fla. The club will train at Lakewood Ranch while in the Sunshine State, with friendly opponents to be unveiled in the coming days.
The Black-and-Red will train in Florida until the completion of camp on February 2, at which time Ben Olsen’s side returns to Washington. United is scheduled to train from February 3 until February 5 in D.C., before departing on Monday, February 6 for Scottsdale, Ariz. Phase two of United’s preseason will extend until February 16 in Arizona, with friendly dates and opponents to be determined.
United heads back to Washington for four days before traveling to Charleston, S.C. on February 22, where the club will make its seventh appearance in the Carolina Challenge Cup. Hosted by the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium, D.C. is set to face MLS foes Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew along with the host club. United claimed its second consecutive Challenge Cup in 2011, and Olsen’s team will aim to win a third title when it takes on Chicago on February 25, followed by Charleston on February 29. The Black-and-Red conclude the tournament on March 3 against Columbus.
The players return to Washington permanently on March 4, where United will make final preparations for the MLS regular season opener at home on Saturday, March 10.
Details of D.C. United’s preseason schedule are listed below, though the schedule is subject to change.
D.C. UNITED 2012 PRESEASON SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES EST):
- Jan. 15: Players report to RFK Stadium
- Jan. 15 — 22: Training in Washington, DC
- Jan. 23 — Feb. 2: Training camp in Sarasota, FL
- Feb. 3 — 5: Training in Washington, DC
- Feb. 6 — 16: Training camp in Scottsdale, AZ
- Feb. 17 — 21: Training in Washington, DC
- Feb. 22: Travel to Charleston, SC
- Feb. 25: Carolina Challenge Cup match vs. Chicago Fire (5:00 PM)
- Feb. 29: Carolina Challenge Cup match vs. Charleston Battery (7:15 PM)
- Mar. 3: Carolina Challenge Cup match vs. Columbus Crew (5:00 PM)
- Mar. 4: Travel to Washington, DC
- Mar. 5 – March 9: Training in Washington, DC
- Mar. 10: First Kick Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods
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