How different, really, are D.C. United and Real Madrid? On the surface, that's a laughable question. One has spent vast fortunes to attempt to knock off their eternal rivals; the other has only a handful of players who earn salaries that wouldn't be scoffed at on the other team. One is from Spain, a country that arguably boasts the best domestic league and national team in the world; the other is from the United States, where the domestic league is seen as little but a minnow in the worldwide football hierarchy, and the national team is in a constant uphill battle for respectability. One squad's bench contains nine players who could wipe the floor with most teams in the world by simply adding a couple guys they found on the street; the other's bench, while not untalented, would likely struggle to make it through an entire season with a winning record. more ›

After months of hardly-secret negotiations between the two clubs, it's now official -- D.C. United will take on La Liga's Real Madrid in a friendly at FedEx Field on August 9. The game will likely be a mid-afternoon kickoff, and United's previously scheduled August 8 home match against Kansas City will be moved to September 9. The match will be a part of a short North American tour for the Spanish giants; the two teams last met in Seattle in 2006, a game in which United played well and earned a 1-1 tie. Steven Goff -- who, as usual with all things soccer, has been all over this story for an eternity -- also reports that current United season ticket holders are being emailed for the advance ticket sale, with prices ranging between $50 and $100, including parking. (Since it's FedEx Field, we're assuming that the face value of tickets is likely between $25 and $75. Thanks, Dan Snyder!) With this match and AC Milan and Chelsea in Baltimore on July 24, it's turning into a very nice summer for European football fans in D.C. indeed. more ›

An uneasy feeling settled upon RFK stadium Saturday night. After going ahead 1-0, D.C. United conceded a penalty kick goal to New York Red Bull and a collective groan emanated from the crowd of nearly 22,000. Knotted at 1 after 45 minutes, the distinct possibility of an unfavorable home draw loomed on the horizon. Was this really the same team that sent 7 players to the All-Star game? The same team that routed the... more ›

After the final whistle of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rapids, DC United walked off the field frustrated. Settling for a 1-1 tie, United failed to get a win for the fourth game in a row in league play. Amidst unequivocally their worst stretch of the season, the Black-and-Red have seemed punchless, lethargic, and disjointed. In these dark days, pessimism tends to take root. Looking ahead to Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against Red... more ›

Last night, DC United and Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid played their way to a 1-1 draw. Arguably the most successful soccer club in the world, Real Madrid boasts a roster filled to the brim with world-class stars. But for all the mystique surrounding Madrid and its galácticos, United did not seem star-struck. Playing a spirited, competative, and technically sound brand of soccer, they stood up to Madrid and took home a result. Though the... more ›

After soundly thrashing Celtic FC in a friendly two weeks ago, MLS-leading DC United will take on another international power, only this time it's the mighty Real Madrid. Due to scheduling conflicts at the local stadiums and Real's already booked West Coast tour, this friendly will be played in Seattle at Qwest Field on August 9th at 11 p.m. ET. We here at DCist are bummed that we won't be able to watch this... more ›