DC United Uses Full-Page Ad In Local Papers To Promote Game

United Ad Calls For DC Soccer Fans To Support MLS Team

DC United President & CEO Kevin Payne yesterday "took out full-page ads" in local newspapers "calling for soccer fans in the nation's capital to support their MLS team and taking a bit of a shot at Sounders FC fans," according to Jose Miguel Romero of the SEATTLE TIMES. The open letter urged United fans to buy tickets to the September 2 Sounders-United U.S. Open Cup final at RFK Stadium and "reminded readers that DC has won a dozen team trophies in competition." Romero notes the ads are the "latest in a flap that arose between Payne" and Sounders investor & GM Adrian Hanauer last month after Hanauer "publicly stated his frustration about Seattle not being awarded the bid to host the Open Cup final and expressed skepticism over the process by which DC got the bid." Sounders officials did not issue a response to the letter (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/11). Payne in the letter wrote, "The Sounders, and its fans, have said that Washington, DC and its fans do not deserve to host the match at RFK. They insisted the match should be played in Seattle. ... A challenge has been issued and we expect all sports fans in DC to meet it" (THE DAILY).

PICKING ON THE WRONG TEAM? In Seattle, Greg Johns wrote the letter seems to be "more about good marketing than bad blood," and why the game was awarded to DC "seemed a reasonable question." The Sounders are "on their way to an MLS record" average attendance of 30,204 at Qwest Field, while United is averaging 15,193 fans per game at RFK, eighth in MLS (SEATTLEPI.com, 8/10). In Salt Lake City, Michael Lewis noted the Sounders have "easily become the most successful expansion team since the Chicago Fire won the MLS Cup in 1998, and have raised the level of expectation for the three teams that will be joining the league in the next two years." Fans "clad in green pack Qwest Field," and the team has "become almost ubiquitous around its home city, with scarves and flags and banners seemingly everywhere." Hanauer said, "There is absolutely zero confusion about whether Seattle is a major-league team in this market. We're like the Mariners or the Seahawks" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 8/9).