MLS D.C. United

D.C. United, Comcast SportsNet Announce Broadcast Schedule

Published on March 4, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2008) - Through their continued long-term partnership with the leader in local sports television, Comcast SportsNet, D.C. United today announced their regional television schedule for the 2008 Major League Soccer season. As part of its four-year broadcast agreement with United, Comcast SportsNet is scheduled to air 16 games this season, providing United supporters unsurpassed coverage of the Black-and-Red.

"United and Comcast SportsNet continue to work together in the best interest of the greatest supporters in Major League Soccer," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "Through a variety of local and national outlets, every United game will be broadcast this year. We're looking forward to another memorable season ahead."

Comcast SportsNet's broadcast schedule is highlighted by a compact summer schedule featuring dates at Eastern Conference rivals New York (August 9), at Chicago (August 16) and at New England (August 20). Home broadcasts, not including United's game against New York on June 14, are scheduled to air in high definition.

"Because of the strong partnership Comcast SportsNet has built with D.C. United, we will continue to provide the team's growing fan base with not only live game broadcasts but original programming leading up to, and throughout, the season," said Rebecca O'Sullivan-Schulte, senior vice president and general manager of Comcast SportsNet. "D.C. United, the most successful franchise in MLS, has an incredibly loyal and far-reaching fan base. As the region's leader in local sports television, we will continue to provide those fans and all area sports enthusiasts the quality of live programming they have come to expect from our network."

With the team from the very beginning, Comcast SportsNet's Dave Johnson enters his 13th 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 both outdoor and indoor soccer for close to 20 years, appearing on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Soccer Channel, Prime Network, ESPN, and Pax Networks. On radio, Johnson has been behind the mike for the 2000 MLS Cup, 2000 Gold Cup tournament, the 2000 Olympic qualifying tournament, and several US Men's National team friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. In the summer of 2006, Johnson served as play-by-play announcer for XM radio's World Cup coverage and was behind the mike for 26 games including the final in Berlin.

Thomas Rongen will return to the broadcast booth in 2008 to partner with Johnson, continuing his second stint with Comcast SportsNet as a color analyst. The former United coach also spent 2002-2004 as the station's color analyst. Rongen's playing career began with Ajax Amsterdam from 1975-1979, before he made the move to America and the NASL in 1979. He played with the Los Angeles Aztecs, Washington Diplomats and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (later the Minnesota Strikers) during his tenure in America. Rongen began his coaching career with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1989-1994) and also served during the same time as head coach for Nova Southeastern University (1991-1995), before becoming one of the inaugural coaches in MLS. He started with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996, winning the MLS Coach of the Year Award before moving to the New England Revolution (1997-1998). Following, he joined D.C. United and led the club to its third MLS Cup in 1999. He then served as the head coach of the Under-20 United States Men's National team (2001-2005), before being named as head coach of Chivas USA for the team's inaugural season in 2005. He currently serves as the U.S. U-20 Head Coach.

Comcast SportsNet's 2008 coverage of D.C. United will also include live postgame elements such as analysis, highlights and interviews prominently featured within SportsNite following each game. The network will also provide fans pregame elements and player features within Washington Post Live and SportsNite.

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