D.C. United announces 2009 preseason training and game schedule

D.C. United has announced their preseason schedule, as the team prepares for this year’s Major League Soccer season.  Players are set to report to RFK Stadium on January 22 for the beginning of preseason training.  United will travel to Bradenton, Fla. and Charleston, S.C. as part of their training camps.

The Black-and-Red will start pre-season with a visit to Bradenton, where it will face the 2008 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew.  Preseason will continue with the Carolina Challenge Cup, an annual competition hosted by the Charleston Battery.  D.C. will face MLS foes Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC, along with the tournament hosts in a repeat of last year’s U.S. Open Cup final.

D.C. United will open its 2009 MLS season on March 22 when they face the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.  The home opener will be played on March 28 at RFK Stadium.

Tickets to the home opener on March 28 are currently available as part of D.C. United ticket packages including full season.

Details of D.C. United’s preseason schedule are listed below, though the schedule is subject to change.

D.C. United 2009 Preseason Schedule (all times EST):
January 22 - February 2:  Washington, DC
February 3 - February 11:  Bradenton, Fla.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Match vs. Columbus Crew
February 12 - February 17:  Washington, DC
February 18 - February 25:  TBD
February 25 - March 4:  Washington, DC
March 5 - March 15:  Charleston, SC
Saturday, March 7:  Match vs. Real Salt Lake (5 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 11:  Match vs. Toronto FC (5 p.m.)
Saturday, March 14:  Match vs. Charleston (7:15 p.m.)
March 16-18:  Washington, DC
March 22:  Season-opening game versus Los Angeles Galaxy in LA