Caught in Possession

D.C United's preseason training schedule is finally taking shape -- Doug Hicks and his DCU communications gurus sent out the following release just a short while ago. Note that there are still a few chunks still to be sketched out: the Cali trip will likely include a friendly with San Jose and as a native Texan, I'm quite curious about the San Antonio leg. There's never a bad excuse to visit the Hill Country...

D.C. United announce preseason schedule

Players, staff to gather for training, followed bymedia availability, Monday, January 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2008) - D.C. United announced today the club’s preseason schedule, as the club prepares for the 2008 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and this year’s Major League Soccer season. The full team will report to RFK Stadium on Monday, January 28 for a 10:30 a.m. training session, followed by media availability, and will undergo closed-door fitness testing on Tuesday, January 29. United will begin pre-season training in earnest on Wednesday, January 30, when the club travels to Bradenton, FL. Other pre-season plans include trips to California and San Antonio, TX.

While in Bradenton, members of the first team will play a host of games. United will face the US U-17 National Team (2/1), the US U-23 National Team (2/2), Toronto FC (2/5) Danish club Odense (2/8) and Kansas City (2/12). The Black-and-Red will travel to the west coast for training February 15-25 and to San Antonio, TX for a preseason tournament February 29-March 10. Detailed information will be available at a later date.

D.C. United will open CONCACAF Champions’ Cup play in March by traveling to Jamaica to face Harbour View FC. The Black-and-Red will host the return leg at RFK Stadium. United’s MLS season kicks off on Saturday, March 29 when the team travels to Kansas City to face the Wizards at their new stadium, CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The team will return to D.C. for a Saturday home-opener versus Toronto FC. Kick-off at RFK Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on April 5.

Full season, half season, flex ticket plans and group purchases are now available through the D.C. United office at 202-587-5000 and www.dcunited.com <http://www.dcunited.com>. Supporters may also sign up for United’s eNews updates, the Coaches Association or Youth Fan Club on the team’s official website, www.dcunited.com <http://www.dcunited.com>.

Details of D.C. United’s preseason schedule are listed below, though the schedule is subject to change. Members of the media planning to attend a preseason practice or game should contact the D.C. United communications staff in advance.

D.C. United 2008 Preseason Schedule (all times EST):
Monday, January 28: Training at RFK Stadium (10:30 a.m.)
Tuesday, January 29: Fitness Testing, no media availability
Wednesday, January 30-Thursday, February 12: Training in Bradenton, FL
Friday, February 1: Match v. U17s
Saturday, February 2: Match v. U23s
Wednesday, February 5: Match v. Toronto FC
Friday, February 8: Match v. Odense (Denmark)
Tuesday, February 12: Match v. Kansas City
February 15-25: West Coast
Friday, February 29 - Monday, March 10: San Antonio
March 11-13: CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Match at Harbour View FC (Jamaica)
March 18-20: CONCACAF Champions’ Cup Match v. Harbour View FC at RFK.