MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Announces 2004 Television Schedule

Published on March 15, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (March 15, 2004) - Broadcast partners D.C. United and Comcast SportsNet announced today the regional broadcast schedule for United's 2004 Major League Soccer campaign. Comcast SportsNet will again broadcast 15 D.C. United matches, matching a 2003 record. In addition, the seven home matches aired by Comcast SportsNet will also be produced in high definition format and be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet INHD. This marks the eighth season Comcast SportsNet and D.C. United have partnered to air D.C. United matches. Comcast SportsNet coverage begins on Saturday, April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET, when the Black-and-Red visit The Home Depot Center to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"We're pleased to once again partner with Comcast SportsNet," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "We are excited that they will be broadcasting a number of our games in High-Definition format, which will provide a better viewing experience for our fans, and better help them appreciate the excitement of D.C. United soccer."

Comcast SportsNet, a division of Comcast Corporation, is a service of Philadelphia-based Comcast Regional Sports Television serving more than four million homes in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington D.C., via more than 214 cable systems in the mid-Atlantic region and major satellite services. The network is home to coverage of D.C. United as well as the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals, along with original programming featuring the region's professional, minor league and collegiate teams.

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with D.C. United," said Sam Schroeder, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Comcast SportsNet. "There certainly is great anticipation for the upcoming season. In addition to the 15 games we'll be producing this season, we'll also continue to provide extensive coverage on SportsNite and SportsRise."

Comcast SportsNet will expand SportsNite to a full hour starting at 6:30 p.m. before United games with a 7:30 p.m. start time, with live pre-game coverage of the upcoming match.

Veteran broadcaster Dave Johnson returns for his ninth season as the television voice of D.C. United. One of the premier soccer announcers in the United States, Johnson has done play-by-play of outdoor and indoor soccer for much of the past decade, appearing on Comcast SportsNet, Prime Network and ESPN. He also serves as the radio play-by-play voice of the Washington Wizards and can be heard on WTOP Radio as the station's morning sports anchor, where he has won three A.I.R. awards as best radio sportscaster in Washington.

Thomas Rongen will again be joining Johnson as color analyst for D.C. United broadcasts. Rongen, who served as head coach for the Black-and-Red from 1999-2001, enters his third year as Johnson's broadcast partner. Rongen led D.C. United to an MLS Cup championship in 1999, and is currently the head coach of the United States Under-20 National Team.

High definition production will allow United fans with HDTV receivers and converters to enjoy an overall experience that combines a wide-screen, theater-like display, improved audio clarity and picture resolution up to six times sharper than a standard analog television set. Comcast Cable was the first local cable provider to add Comcast SportsNet INHD to their lineup, and the channel is currently only available in the Washington and Baltimore areas.

D.C. United will make nine appearances on national television in addition to their Comcast SportsNet schedule. The Black-and-Red will host the MLS league opener on April 3, to be aired on ABC. United will face the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes in a 4:00 p.m. ET kick-off.

D.C. United 2004 Schedule

(All times Eastern, revised 03/12/04)

Date Day Opponent Time Television

April 3 Sat. San Jose 4:00 p.m. ABC

April 10 Sat. at Los Angeles 10:00 p.m. CSN, HDNet

April 17 Sat. at MetroStars 4:00 p.m. espn2

April 24 Sat. Chicago 5:00 p.m. espn2

May 1 Sat. at San Jose 4:00 p.m. espn2

May 8 Sat. Columbus 7:30 p.m. CSN

May 15 Sat. Kansas City 7:30 p.m.

May 19 Wed. Los Angeles 7:30 p.m. CSN, HDNet

May 22 Sat. at Colorado 9:00 p.m. CSN

May 29 Sat. at New England 7:30 p.m. CSN

June 5 Sat. at Chicago 4:00 p.m. espn2

June 12 Sat. Colorado 7:30 p.m. CSN

June 19 Sat. Columbus 7:30 p.m. CSN

June 26 Sat. at Dallas 4:00 p.m. espn2

July 3 Sat. MetroStars 5:00 p.m. espn2

July 10 Sat. at Kansas City 8:30 p.m. CSN, HDNet

July 14 Wed. Nottingham Forest* 7:30 p.m.

July 17 Sat. Los Angeles 7:30 p.m.

July 31 Sat. at Dallas 8:30 p.m. CSN

August 7 Sat. at San Jose 10:00 p.m. CSN

August 11 Wed. Colorado 7:30 p.m. CSN

August 14 Sat. New England 7:30 p.m.

August 21 Sat. at Columbus 7:30 p.m.

August 28 Sat. at New England 4:00 p.m. espn2

Sept. 1 Wed. at Chicago 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 Sat. Dallas 7:30 p.m. CSN

Sept. 18 Sat. Chicago 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 Sat. at Columbus 7:30 p.m. CSN

October 2 Sat. at MetroStars 7:30 p.m. CSN

October 9 Sat. New England 7:30 p.m. CSN

October 17 Sun. MetroStars 5:00 p.m. espn2

* International Friendly

Check out the D.C. United Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from March 15, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central