The Talon Times

Summer 2014In This Issue: p.1 MLS TV Rights p.1 D.C. Uniteds Results p.2 World Cup in Reston p.2 D.C. Watch Parties p.3 Target Activation p.4 Stadium Update p.4 Latin Fest

MLS, U.S. Soccer sign $90 million deal with 3 major sports television networks

On May 12, 2014, Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer made a grand announcement that they will partner with ESPN, Fox and Univision to televise MLS and U.S. Soccer matches until 2022. This $90 million deal will allow the three networks to broadcast more than 125 matches throughout each year.

Each network will feature an MLS Match of the Week: Univision

will broadcast the Match of the Week games on Fridays while ESPN and Fox Sports 1 will televise back-to-back games each Sunday evening. Individual MLS clubs will have exclusive rights to games on Saturdays.

Along with MLS games, all three networks will broadcast U.S. Mens National Team and U.S.

Womens National Team games until 2022 as well. Univision is now the

Spanish language hub of U.S. Soccer and plans to broadcast all USMNT games and at least four USWNT games.

MLS began its broadcasting partnership with ESPN in 1996 for the leagues first season and their partnership will now continue until the leagues 27th season.

During the press conference announcing the deal, MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated, The commitment from our television partners in terms of structure, length and magnitude is unprecedented, and these new partnerships are another strong indicator of the Leagues continued growth and the overall fan interest in our sport.

Don Garber announced the television partnership at a press conference with representatives from ESPN, Fox and Univision.

Match Results at RFK Stadium: May 17-August 31, 2014

Upcoming Matches this Fall at RFK: Sept. 24, 8:00PM CONCACAF Champions League: vs. Tauro FC

Sept. 27, 3:00PM MLS: vs. Philadelphia

Oct. 3, 8:00PM MLS: vs. Sporting KC

Oct. 18, 7:00PM MLS: vs. Chicago

May 17, 2014MLS: vs. Montreal1-1

May 21, 2014MLS: vs. Houston2-0

May 31, 2014MLS: vs. Sporting KC1-0

June 7, 2014MLS: vs. Columbus0-0

June 28, 2014MLS: vs. Seattle 0-1

July 20, 2014MLS: vs. Chivas USA3-1

July 30, 2014MLS: vs. Toronto3-0

August 17, 2014MLS: vs. ColoradoSCORE

August 31, 2014MLS: vs. New YorkSCORE

Non-MLS Games:August 20, 2014CONCACAF Champions League: vs. WaterhouseSCORE

Check out dcunited.com for highlights, videos and more information on our talented team!

2 The Talon Times

D.C. United partners with Leidos for USMNT event

Hundreds of fans watched the game on the big screen from inside the beer garden sponsred by Bud Light.

Thousands of residents in the DMV area came out to Reston Town Center to cheer on the U.S. Mens National Team against Portugal.

World Cup: watch parties, Brazil Bracket Challenge

I believe that we will win! is a phrase that you simply couldnt ignore at Reston Town Center on June 22. Fans chanted all throughout the evening induring D.C. United and Leidos World Cup Watch Party as the U.S. battled it out against Portugal.

The Reston audience

turnout was tremendous: more than eight-thousand fans showed up, many of them decked out in red, white and blue. Fans were eager to support the USMNT and these numbers solidify how much of an effect the 2014 World Cup has on American soccer fans.

The event began in the early afternoon for the Belgium vs. Russia and Korea Republic vs. Algeria games. Fans wandered around the center checking out different booths which featured food samples, information on D.C. Uniteds Kids Club and a family friendly bouncy house. The player meet and greets also

Aside from watching the game, fans had the opportunity to eat and

relax at the Leidos tent behind the center screen. Not only was food available, but fans took part in snapping fun pictures in the sponsors photobooth to share on social media sites as well.

Despite the hot June temperatures, fans thoroughly enjoyed watching the big game together. This community get together was quite the unforgettable experience for any fan of U.S. Soccer.

Just a few of our D.C. United Partner Bars: *Bens Next Door *Capitol City Brewing Co. *Cantina Marina *Elephant & Castle Pub *Fado *Irish Whiskey Public House *The Laughing Man Tavern *Lous City Bar *Lucky Bar *Penn Social *The Pug *RiRa *The Queen Vic *Tonic *Ventor Sports Cafe

When the World Cup began on June 12, the world tuned their televisions to games all day long. The U.S. viewers really surprised the soccer community in how dedicated they were to watching games, especially the USMNT.

To promote the World Cup fever taking over the country, D.C. United hosted watch parties at numerous bars in the

D.C. area. No matter what time of the day, each game had these bars packed. People came with their colleagues on their lunch breaks, people came after work before dinner.

Aside from watch parties throughout D.C., D.C. United participated in the MLSs Brazil Bracket Challenge. Our fans had the chance to fill out brackets and compete against other fans of D.C.

United as well as other MLS teams.

The bracket winner of the D.C. United fan group had the chance to win a USMNT jersey and four tickets to the July 20 match against Chivas USA.

The Bracket Challenge also provided the opportunity for fans to connect with players as they could see the players brackets on our website.

The Talon Times 3

Target take-over at RFK for Seattle Sounders match

During the half-time show, three fans participated in an on-field competition in hopes of winning Target gift cards.

Excited for the game, Targets mascot, Bullseye, roamed the FLIA as well as the tailgate.

On June 28, D.C. United fans who attended the match against the Seattle Sounders were in for a treat. They had the chance to experience the Target brand in unique and interactive way.

Target activated at the pregame tailgate, in the Field Level Interactive Area (FLIA) and after the game as fans exited.

Before the game began, Targets mascot, Bullseye, roamed the tailgate posing for photos while brand ambassadors from Target. With Bullseye at their side, the brand ambassadors handed out 5,000 cinch bags and related promotional items.

Once fans entered the stadium, they interacted with Target even more. Three specialized grocery themed Target inflatables at the FLIA drew in 2,000 D.C. United fans. The inflatables included obstacle courses and games for both youth and adult fans.

In addition to Targets physical presence, individuals could tweet at custom vending machines which would reward them with DCU gear, Target sunglasses and Target gift cards. Picnic tables and promotional

item distribution tables surrounded the vending machines and the inflatables.

During half time three contestants were selected at random from the stands to compete in a #TargetRun competition. All three fans had to collect inflatable versions of favorite Target items and put them in a basket attached to them before running into the goal.

After the match finished, the brand

ambassadors handed out 5,000 specialty breakfast kits for fans to take home. These kits included Target brand oatmeal, raisins, tea bags and plastic to-go containers.

The Target brand ambassadors had a blast working with our fans and uniting soccer with Target and its products Fans had plenty of opportunities to walk away with exciting giveaways after this match.

Our favorite Target activation moments from June 28:

Do you have questions about how you can enhance your partnership with D.C. United? Please reach out to our team! We are here to help maximize every element of your partnership!Corporate Sponsorship Team:

Mike SchoenbrunChief Revenue Officermschoenbrun@dcunited.com202-587-5421

Brennan FeldhausenDirector of Corporate Partnershipsbfeldhausen@dcunited.com202-587-5476

Jennifer ParksDirector of Corporate Partnerships jparks@dcunited.com202-587-5456

Maureen DowlingManager, Corporate Partnershipsmdowling@dcunited.com202-587-5461

Paige GreenbergAccount Executive, Corporate Partnershipspgreenberg@dcunited.com202-587-5442

4 The Talon Times

The future of D.C. soccer: the latest on Buzzard Point

Bill Hamid, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin selected for MLS All-Star Game in Portland

On June 26, Washington, D.C. residents along with D.C. United employees and fans, attended a D.C. Council hearing for the proposal of the D.C. United Stadium at Buzzard Point.

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray spoke with the teams coach and ownership about the future benefits of the stadium. At the hearing, This is the design for the future D.C. United Stadium at Buzzard Point. For more pictures visit dcunited.com/new-stadium-fresh-look.

Coach Olsen spoke highly of D.C.s soccer community and soccers future in the Nations Capital.

There is no city in this country that is more global or influential or has thrived more on the growth of soccer, Olsen told the D.C. Council.

The stadium deal will require $119.5 million from the District. Over the course of a 30-year

period, the new stadium will generate a positive impact of $385 million for D.C. This stadium

project has the power to create more than 2,400 jobs for D.C. residents and local businesses.

After weeks of campaigning for votes to play in the MLS All-Star Game on Aug. 6, three of D.C. Uniteds best traveled to Portland to play with the leagues top players against FC Bayern Munich. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid and defenders Bobby Boswell (captain) and Sean Franklin made the cross-country journey to represent D.C. United and its successful season.

Hamids MLS success

began in 2010 when he was the youngest goalkeeper to win an MLS game. This was his first All-Star appearance and he was named the Homegrown Hero after multiple stunning saves. Hamid played with game saving effort and helped the MLS team to keep their lead.

D.C. United brought Boswell back just in time for the 2014 season. Like Hamid, this was Boswells

first All-Star appearance. Boswell cleared the ball to teammates up front and helped boost the MLS to a lead with the first goal.

In an interview with dcunited.com, Boswell commented on his selection: Anytime you have defenders receiving nominations, its a testament to the guys around us doing the hard work to set us up for success in the back.

Unlike these All-Star rookies, Franklin is a two-time All-Star, a champion of the MLS Cup and the 2008 Rookie of the Year. He did not expect to be selected, but is looking forward to participating in such an exciting game against such a talented team. Franklin played well as the crowd expected from a veteran All-Star.Hamid, Franklin and Boswell got together to take a photo shortly after beating Bayern Munich FC 2-1 in Portland (photo from @mlssoccer).