Monday, May 19, 2008
                                         

DC SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION CHOSEN TO HOST 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FOR POTENTIAL SEMIFINAL ROUND QUALIFIERS
U.S. Soccer Selects RFK Stadium for First Time Since 2004

(Washington, DC) – The DC Sports and Entertainment Commission will host a home match for the semifinal round qualifier for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, announced the U.S. Soccer Federation.  Before the players take to the pitch in this game, however, the U.S. must first advance past the second round, where they face a home-and-away series against Barbados.  The U.S. will host the first leg on June 15th at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision.  The away leg will be played on June 22nd at a site and time to be determined.

“We’re honored to be selected to host the FIFA world cup qualifier.  This is another example of the types of sporting events that DCSEC will continue to bring to the nation’s capital,” said DCSEC Board Chairman Matthew D. Cutts.  “This gives us an opportunity to showcase RFK for this top-tier soccer match before an international audience.”

If the U.S. does advance, they will play their first home qualifier of the four-team semifinal round group on Sept. 10th at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., against the winner of the Trinidad & Tobago-Bermuda series.  Kickoff would be set for 7 p.m. CT, with the match broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision.  On Oct. 11th, the U.S. would face either Cuba or Antigua & Barbuda at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.  That match would begin at 4 p.m. ET and be broadcast live on ESPN Classic and Galavision.  Dick’s Sporting Goods Park would host the USA’s final match of the semifinal phase, with the team taking on either Guatemala or St. Lucia on Nov. 19 at 8p.m. MT live on ESPN2 and Galavision. Ticket information for all three potential semifinal round home matches will be available at a later date.

RFK Stadium is a familiar facility to the U.S. national team, having 17 matches played at the venue since 1977.  The U.S. has established a 10-3-4 record in the nation’s capital, including a 3-1-1 record in World Cup qualifying.  With an average attendance of over 30,000, Washington D.C., has witnessed several memorable matches, including a 4-0 victory against Mexico in 1995 and a 1-0 win against Argentina in 1999.  RFK last hosted the national team on Oct. 13, 2004, when an Eddie Johnson hat trick paced the United States to a 6-0 victory against Panama to close out the semifinal phase of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The Semifinal Round qualifying in the CONCACAF, the region that the U.S. competes, will take place from August to November in 2008, with the teams divided into three groups of four teams each. Playing a six-game round robin format, the top two finishers from each group will advance to the final six-team group that will be played in 2009.   

RFK Stadium has served as the home of four-time MLS Cup Champion D.C. United since its inception in 1996 and was the first venue to host the MLS Cup Championship three times.  The stadium’s storied bouncy seats and nostalgic charm add to the authentic soccer atmosphere that fans relish at the games.  In addition to two MLS Cups, RFK has hosted several memorable soccer matches including World Cup games in 1994, Olympic men’s soccer in 1996, the 2002 and 2004 MLS All-Star games.  DCSEC also plans to host upcoming concerts, festivals and other sporting activities at the stadium.

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