On September 26, D.C. United will begin play in the prestigious Copa Nissan Sudamericana - a South American tournament with teams participating from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Mexico, with D.C. United as the lone representative from the U.S.
The Copa Nissan Sudamericana is played annually between clubs of CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation) and, since 2005, members of CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football). United was one of the first CONCACAF teams to qualify for the competition in 2005 when it accepted an invitation in 2005, along with Club America and Pumas UNAM of Mexico.
The tournament is considered to be the second most important competition for South American club teams next to the Copa Libertadores and is played annually by the top clubs of South America. The winner of Copa Sudamericana plays the winner of the Copa Libertadores for the Recopa Sudamericana.
"This is the second time we will play in Copa Sudamericana," said United midfielder Christian Gomez via a translator. "We were the first American team to play in this important tournament and now we get to face great South American teams, like Chivas de Guadalajara. It would be great for the club to succeed and leave D.C. United on the top."
Copa Sudamericana is played in two-legged knockout stages, with one home game and one away game per series. In 2005, D.C. United was matched up against Chilean side Universidad Catolica, eventually falling on a 4-2 aggregate score - after a 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium and a 2-3 loss in Chile.
The 2006 Copa Sudamericana saw Pachuca CF of Mexico beat Colo-Colo of Chile in the final on a 3-2 aggregate score. The first leg was a 1-1 draw, but Pachuca would win the second leg 2-1. Both teams also qualified for this year's Copa Nissan Sudamericana.
D.C. United opens the 2007 Copa Nissan Sudamericana against a familiar foe in CD Guadalajara (Chivas) at 8:30p.m., Wednesday, September 26 at RFK Stadium. United will then travel to Mexico for the second leg on October 2.
"For us, it is very important because it gives us international experience and we have the chance to play great teams in South America," said forward Luciano Emilio via a translator "I think it comes at a great time considering our recent strong performances in MLS."
Chivas plays in the top division of the Mexican National League in Group 3. Currently the club is tied for second place within its group, with a record of 3-3-2 (12 points).
Earlier this year, United fell to Chivas 3-2 on aggregate in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal. The first leg saw United earn 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium on Marh 15. After Guadalajara went up 1-0 midway through the second half, a dramatic stoppage time goal from Luciano Emilio tied the game for United. The second leg was played in Guadalajara on April 3 and saw Chivas snatch a 2-1 victory over United, thus eliminating the Black-and-Red from the Champions' Cup.
Both Chivas and United were invited to play in Copa Sudamericana based upon their performances in this year's Champions' Cup.
Should D.C. advance past Guadalajara to the quarterfinals of the 2007 Copa Nissan Sudamericana, they would face the either Arsenal of Argentina - which also happens to the former club of Christian Gomez - or Goias EC of Brazil.
Access United caught up with Head Coach Tom Soehn, Ben Olsen, Jaime Moreno, Troy Perkins and Greg Vanney to talk about the upcoming game against Chivas. Watch now >
Destination Jamaica
D.C. United's Ben Olsen married Megan Schoen in Negril, Jamaica back in in December of 2006. The destination wedding - held at the Rockhouse hotel, an intimate 34-room Cliffside Inn - was featured in Brides magazine.. Three days before their December celebration, Olsen organized a soccer game between the locals and the wedding guests. To read the full article on their Jamaican wedding click here
Supporting the troops
Through outgoing efforts to support those serving in the Armed Forces, D.C. United has cultivated great relationships with with the service branches and the heroic individuals serving all over the world. En masse, these troops are honored at events such as Armed Forces Appreciation Day and Veterans Appreciation Day. From time to time, however, the club has been fortunate to deal with individual soldiers on a one-on-one basis. Be it a locker room visit for soldiers recovering at Walter Reed or a care package sent to soldiers in Iraq, United has always reached out to the troops and their families.
That sentiment has never been more evident than in recent weeks. Following the receipt of a care package for his troop, Staff Sergeant Donald Jones wrote in and said "To know we are appreciated back home and have an organization such as D.C. United show the respect for us in the way you all have has given us even more pride and compassion for what we are doing out here. Thank you again and GO UNITED!"
United's commitment extends to the highest levels in the organization. Last week, after being informed of a Barra Brava member serving his country in Iraq, United Co-Managing Partner Will Chang saw to it that the soldier was sent a personalized fan pack.
"I was touched after hearing about one of the Barra's own serving America," said Chang. "I just wanted him to know that we at D.C. United appreciate his efforts and are thinking about him."
