Comcast to Feature Past D.C. United Games

Per release by Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic:

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region’s leader in television and online sports coverage, along with D.C. United today announced plans to air encore presentations of five memorable D.C. United matches during the week of June 21-26 as a part of D.C. United Traditions Week. To celebrate the ongoing World Cup, each game will feature D.C. United World Cup veterans in legendary performances with the Black-and-Red.

The special five-game series, which will be hosted by Comcast SportsNet’s Russ Thaler, will begin Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. with an encore presentation of DC United’s classic match versus the Tampa Bay Mutiny on Oct. 10, 1996, which featured John Harkes. Four other historic matches will air each weekday at 7 p.m. through Friday, June 26.

The series of classic D.C. United games leads into the club’s return to MLS play following the World Cup break. The Black-and-Red travel to Columbus for a fixture with the Crew on Saturday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET, which will air live on Comcast SportsNet. United’s television partner will also continue to feature current and former United players in their coverage of the World Cup during SportsNite and Washington Post Live.

Details of the games and broadcast schedule are listed below:

Monday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. (re-air June 22 at 12:00 p.m.)
D.C. United vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (October 10, 1996)
Featuring John Harkes, D.C. United stormed through the second half of the inaugural MLS season and into the 1996 MLS Cup playoffs. Before 23,566 faithful at RFK Stadium, United put a stranglehold on the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-1 victory. Harkes assisted two of the tallies and factored throughout.

Tuesday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m. (re-air June 23 at 12:00 p.m.)
D.C. United vs. Vasco de Gama (December 5, 1998)
Featuring Eddie Pope, D.C. United faced the legendary Brazilian side with the InterAmerican title on the line. Needing a two-goal victory to claim the aggregate win, United pressed for a 2-0 lead in the game’s waning moments. Pope’s strike in the 77th sealed a 2-0 win, a 2-1 aggregate victory and, perhaps, the greatest championship won by any American soccer team.

Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. (re-air June 24 at 12:00 p.m.)
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew (November 13, 1999)
Featuring Marco Etcheverry, a dynasty in the making appeared sidetracked in their quest for a fourth consecutive MLS Cup appearance. After winning the first game of the Eastern Conference finals at home, the Black-and-Red were pasted 5-1 in Columbus in game two. Before 25,451 in the deciding game three on East Capitol Street, Etcheverry came to life with a goal and three assists in a vintage performance that put a 4-0 end to the Crew uprising.

Friday, June 25 at 7:00 p.m.
D.C. United vs. San Jose Earthquakes (April 3, 2004)
In a game set as the coming out party for 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu, Jamie Moreno stole the show in his return to D.C. United. The veteran striker stole the show with a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win and reclaimed his spot as the most potent offensive performer in the League.

Saturday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. (re-air June 23 at 12:00 p.m.)
D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls (June 10, 2007)
Featuring Ben Olsen, D.C. United lined up against their most heated MLS rivals in the NY Red Bulls. In the most lethal offensive display of his legendary career, Olsen struck three times in a crushing 4-2 victory for the Black-and-Red.

Comcast SportsNet’s 2010 coverage of D.C. United includes 15 League matches, live postgame elements such as analysis, highlights and interviews in United Postgame Live or within SportsNite following each game. The network also provides fans pregame elements and player features within Washington Post Live and SportsNite.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic – the official sports network of the Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, D.C. United, Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association – delivers more than 500 live sporting events per year, along with Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and entertainment programming, to more than 4.6 million homes throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Comcast SportsNet’s digital portfolio, highlighted by CSNwashington.com, is the region’s leading source for online sports news and information.

Comcast Sports Group operates 11 sports networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and sports news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS, and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages New England Cable News (NECN), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com