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> D.C. United cruise past Toronto 4-1 in RFK opener
D.C. United opened their 2008 MLS season at RFK in front of over 20,000 spirited fans, including one of the largest gatherings of Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava supporters in recent memory. They were not to be disappointed, as the Black and Red took barely a minute to break their 2-game scoreless slump with a close range goal by 2007 MLS MVP Luciano Emilio. The game was nearly over three minutes later with the 2nd coming of Santino Quaranta slotted home to make it 2-0 with 85 minutes left to play. Then Toronto completely sealed their fate in the 22nd minute with a straight red card ejection to Kevin Harmse. More goals would come, while the only consolation for the 2nd year Canadian side was an impressive 88th minute goal by University of Maryland alum Maurice Edu. 

> U.S. Women humble Jamaica in Olympic opener
The U.S. Women's National Team got two goals from Abby Wambach, who also created two others, in a 6-0 victory over Jamaica in the USA's first match of the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying. With the win, combined with Mexico's 8-1 win over Jamaica on Wednesday, the USA and Mexico have qualified for the semifinals while Jamaica was eliminated. 

> Tickets for U.S. vs. Argentina at Giants Stadium on general sale Monday
Tickets for the U.S. Men's National Team's June 8 match vs. world No. 1-ranked Argentina at Giants Stadium go on sale to the public on Monday, April 14, at 12 p.m. ET, but can also be obtained by Visa card holders beginning April 11 at 12 p.m. at ussoccer.com. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and serves as the final tune up for the U.S. prior to the start of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying on June 15 vs. Barbados. U.S. Soccer has divided the seating into U.S.A., Argentina, and Mixed/Neutral fan sections at each price level. Groups of 30 or more can obtain an order form at ussoccer.com or call 312-528-1290. The U.S. has played top-ranked Argentina eight times in their history, holding a lifetime record of 2-6-0 against the South American juggernaut. This will be the last friendly match for the U.S. Men at Giants Stadium. The U.S. Men have played at Giants Stadium seven times in their history, holding a 4-1-2 record.

> Real Maryland tops Crystal Palace Baltimore in pre-season test
Real Maryland passed its first ever USL-2 test with a 1-0 pre-season win over Crystal Palace Baltimore at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland on Saturday evening. It was an emotional night as both teams lined up before the match to honor Matt DeOrsey- a local player and teammate of Crystal Palace Baltimore Co-coach Pete Medd- who died tragically a few months ago just before his 30th birthday. Real Maryland captain, Ronald Cerritos, then presented the DeOrsey family with a Real Maryland pennant and a moment of silence was held in Matt DeOrsey's honor. A 35th minute goal by Nilson Perez was all the upstart USL-2 side needed, despite a late game surge by Palace requiring several strong saves by Emilo Zelaya, to preserve the Monarchs' first ever win against a USL opponent. Real Maryland kicks off its inaugural season with a 4:00 p.m. home match on April 20th, 2008 against the Western Mass Pioneers.

> US Women's National Team to play at RFK in May
Steven Goff is reporting in the Washington Post that the US Women's National Team will play a pre-Olympic friendly against our northern neighbors Canada on May 10th. The match will be the first by the world's number one ranked Women's team at RFK since the 2003 World Cup, which was before the stadium sharing arrangement with baseball's Washington Nationals made the facility undesirable for international matches, and also left very few open dates. The U.S. women seek to wrap up their Olympic Qualifying process Wednesday against Costa Rica at 1 PM Eastern.