NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



D.C. United

United Soccer Club Expands

March 19, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2008)- D.C. United and its non-profit arm, United for D.C. announced today its partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to expand United Soccer Club over the next three years to seven, ten and 12 sites successively. United for D.C. and the U.S. Soccer Foundation will work together to support their missions to promote youth soccer in economically disadvantaged urban communities.

"United for D.C. and D.C. United are excited for the opportunity to bring United Soccer Club to more communities in Washington, D.C." says Kevin Payne, President and CEO of D.C. United and United for D.C. board member. "The support from the U.S. Soccer Foundation allows the program to expand its focus East of the River and eventually reach communities throughout the District to create opportunities for more young people to play soccer."

"The expansion of the United Soccer Club program creates exciting new opportunities for young boys and girls in our nation's capital to play and enjoy the game of soccer," said John Koskinen, President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. "As the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., the Foundation is delighted to support the growth of the game in our own backyard through innovative programs like this one."

The 2008 expansion will introduce two new sites in the spring - Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Ward 5 and Fort Davis Recreation Center in Ward 7, while continuing in the existing sites of Barry Farm Recreation Center, Robert V. Murray Clubhouse #11 and Ketcham Elementary School in Ward 8. An additional two sites will be added in the fall season to reach a total of seven by the end of 2008.

The five spring sites will begin between Monday, March 31 and Tuesday April 8, providing two after school sessions during the week and weekend games with Soccer on the Hill and Takoma Soccer League. In order to promote United Soccer Club at the new spring site Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, a kickoff event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

United Soccer Club was born from a request throughout Ward 8 for opportunities for their children to play organized soccer. In the spring of 2006, United for D.C. launched its own after-school soccer program, in partnership with DC Parks and Recreation at Barry Farm Recreation Center. The program runs for eight weeks, teaching fundamental skills and hosting games and scrimmages.

United Soccer Club is one of the many community outreach ventures of United for D.C. Through the Kicks for Kids program, more than 10,000 underprivileged children will have an opportunity to watch United play this season alone. United Reads, currently presented in six DC elementary schools, distributed nearly 8,000 books during player visits to each classroom throughout the spring.

For more information on these programs or how fans can contribute time or money to these worthy causes, please contact United for D.C. Executive Director Sara Peterson (202-587-5434 or speterson@dcunited.com ).

Schedules and locations for the Club are as follows:

Barry Farm Parks and Recreation Center 1239 Sumner Rd. SE Schedule: Monday/Wednesday 3:30-5:00 p.m. March 31 - May 21, 2008

Robert V Murray Metropolitan Police Clubhouse #11 620 Milwaukee Pl. SE Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 5:00-6:30 p.m. April 1- May 22, 2008

Ketcham Elementary School 1919 15th St. SE Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m. April 8 - May 29, 2008

Turkey Thicket Recreation Center 1100 Michigan Ave. NE Schedule: Monday/Wednesday 4:30-6:00 p.m. April 1 - May 22, 2008

Fort Davis Recreation Center 1400 41st Street, SE Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-6:00 p.m. April 8 - May 29, 2008

About United for D.C. United For D.C., Inc. was founded on January 8, 2002 as the charitable arm of Major League Soccer's D.C. United. United For D.C. is a 501(c) 3 organization chartered to serve the Washington, D.C. community through the creation or support of programs, events and organizations that advance educational and social welfare opportunities (primarily health and recreational) for the area's youth, particularly those who may be economically, physically or mentally disadvantaged.

About D.C. United Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and playing home matches at RFK Stadium, D.C. United is the most successful professional soccer organization in the history of the United States. United is four-time MLS Cup champions (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004) and winners of the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the 1998 Interamerican Cup and the 1997, 1999 and 2006 MLS Supporters' Shield. D.C. United is one of 14 teams comprising Major League Soccer, joining CD Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire, the Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, the Houston Dynamo, the Kansas City Wizards, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New England Revolution, Red Bull New York, Real Salt Lake, the San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. For the latest headlines and official information on the Black-and-Red, log onto www.dcunited.com .

About the U.S. Soccer Foundation The U.S. Soccer Foundation was established in 1994 to manage the surplus funds generated by the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the United States. As the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the U.S., the Foundation has invested more than $48 million in the game, supporting hundreds of projects in every state in the country. The Foundation provides grants focused on developing players, coaches and referees and building or enhancing fields and soccer complexes, with a special emphasis on economically disadvantaged youth in urban communities. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org .

Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either "D.C. United" or "United," but not "the D.C. United" or "the United." We appreciate your cooperation.

When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, please refer to the organization only as the U.S. Soccer Foundation or the Foundation, and never as USSF or US/U.S. Soccer. We appreciate your cooperation.

Check out the D.C. United Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from March 19, 2008


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