Cup time
07/01/2008 8:26 AM by Doug Hicks
Just two days after a 4-1 victory of the LA Galaxy, United is back in action tonight. The Black-and-Red will turn their attention to the Rochester Rhinos and the 94-year-old U.S. open Cup. With a major trophy and an automatic birth in the 2010 Champions' League on the line, D.C. United is sure to put forth their best effort.
Here's some suggested reading to be ready for the match:
Steven Goff previews the match in the Washington Post.
Craig Stouffer discusses United's focus on this year's event in the Washington Examiner.
Brian Straus offers his insight in the Washington Post Express.
The official dcunited.com preview can be found here.
Finally, don't forget to give Washington Times columnist Dick Heller a read. The longtime local journalist joined us in the press box Sunday and liked what he saw.
Tonight's a big game. With several players needing a rest after Sunday's victory, Tommy Soehn will have some decisions to make in determining tonight's line-up. Stay tuned here for the latest pre-game news.
Comments
4 Comments
About This Blog | Contact Us | dcunited.com
© 2008 - 2009 D.C United & MacFarlane Chang DC Soccer, LLC - All Rights Reserved
07/01/2008 11:28 AM by Brendan T. Cummings
There should be some chants from the stands for BILLY GONSALVES! Did you know 2008 is his 100th birthday (August 10th) and he is the most decorated performer in US Open Cup History! His teams won eight U.S. Open Cup championships. This was at the time were you just suited up 11 for the game, no subs. To quote Steve Holroyd, "While his shot was his most notable feature, he possessed excellent ball control, and was a deft passer. His crafty skills wreaked havoc on opposing defenses, and routinely made his teammates better. Gonsalves was also the consummate gentleman on the pitch: legend has it he was never cautioned or ejected from any match for rough play or ungentlemanly conduct."
The closest MLS player to Gonsalves has to be Chris Armas of the Chicago Fire (and he is retired, however he is on the staff).
07/01/2008 1:07 PM by Eric in Baltimore
I have to say that I am extremely disappointed that the Soccerplex has chosen to charge the full $25 for children to get into this match. It was my intention to fight through traffic and drive from Baltimore to bring my 3 year old son to this match. Having checked the website for the Soccerplex I have decided against it. $25 is steep enough admission for an adult to see a match at a glorified high school ground, but to charge children over 2 years of age the same fee is beyond the pale.
Please tell me that the team had no input in this decision. It's a blown opportunity to build the brand, as they say.
07/01/2008 2:19 PM by Doug Hicks
Thanks for the thoughts Eric. Though $25 is in fact the game day price for the match tonight, ticket package owners and group ticket buyers are able to purchase seats at discounted rates. In either case, the fee also includes parking charges for the game.
In the end, the team found this price point to be necessary in order to cover expenses to US Soocer and at the venue. Planning for anything less would see us playing matches like this on the road.
I hope you reconsider and join us at SoccerPlex tonight.
07/01/2008 3:34 PM by Eric in Baltimore
Doug-
Thanks for the response. I understand the thinking behind the $25 price for adult admission, even if I think it's pretty steep. What I don't understand is why children as young as 3 years old should be expected to pay the same amount. The team should have bitten the bullet on this and provided for discounted youth tickets in my opinion.
I can't believe this, but I'm starting to sound like a suburban soccer mom and I live in downtown Baltimore!
Cheers, and beat the crap out of Rochester tonight.