D.C. United to hold introductory soccer clinic Wednesday, November 9

Washington, D.C. - Addressing the need for organized after-school activity benefiting some of the area's most under-served children, D.C. United will host an introductory soccer clinic on Wednesday, November 9 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. at the DC Parks and Recreation Facility at Barry Farm. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be moved to the Birney Elementary School auditorium. Children in kindergarten through third grade at Howard Road Academy, Birney Elementary and Savoy Elementary have been invited to the event, which will be run by a host of current and former D.C. United players. It will serve as the kick-off to a new recreational soccer program, funded by United for D.C., the charitable arm of D.C. United, and slated to begin in the Spring of 2006.

"In discussions with local community leaders, we discovered a severe lack of structured recreational opportunities for children living East of the Anacostia River and in Ward 8 in particular," said United President and CEO Kevin Payne. "As the professional soccer team in town, we have a responsibility to partner with various community organizations to ensure that all children, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds, have access to programs that teach the world's most popular sport."

In addition to personal instruction from the likes of Alecko Eskandarian, Nana Kuffour, Nick Rimando and Jamil Walker, each child in attendance on Wednesday will receive a goody bag with a D.C. United soccer ball, a t-shirt provided by adidas, pencils, pens, a team poster and reading material. Children at the event will also be provided the first opportunity to sign up for the four-time MLS Cup champion's first youth soccer program.

The club also announced today the hiring of former United defender Judah Cooks as a special projects coordinator to oversee tomorrow's clinic and the development of United Soccer Club. The pilot soccer program is currently scheduled to run from March 9 - May 25, 2006 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the DC Parks and Recreation Facility at Barry Farm. Following the inaugural season, United hopes to expand the program to other sites and locations in Ward 8 and communities East of the Anacostia River.

For more information on any of D.C. United's community outreach initiatives, please contact Catherine Marquette at 202-587-5443 or at cmarquette@dcunited.com.