United-Dynamo Match Postponed Again

Mike Martin

July 22, 2008

DC United's CLyde Simms escapes the splash created by Houston's RIchard Mulrooney

DC United's CLyde Simms escapes the splash created by Houston's RIchard Mulrooney
Photo: Martin Fernandez

Due to electrical problems at RFK caused by severe weather, tonight's match between DC United and the Houston Dynamo has been postponed until Wednesday July 23rd at 7:30 PM at RFK stadium.

Washington D.C., The official press release from the DC United:

"Due to power outages in southeast Washington D.C., including RFK Stadium, tonight's D.C. United match versus the Houston Dynamo has been postponed. The game will now take place tomorrow evening - Wednesday, July 23 - at 7:30 p.m. ET.


Tonight's game was originally scheduled to be played on June 4 before being delayed by unplayable conditions. All tickets bearing the June 4 or July 22 date will be honored at tomorrow's match."

Hopefully, the weather will be a lot more cooperative tomorrow, but it is a bit troubling that forecasters are predicting more severe thunderstorms for tomorrow evening.

MLS matches are played under all weather conditions except for lightning strikes being in the area, or weather that causes serious problems with the playing surface that could lead to injuries, as was the case when the first match on June 4th was halted and later abandoned.

Interestingly, the June 4th postponment was the first ever in the history of DC United playing in RFK stadium, and now with this situation, becomes the first MLS match ever postponed twice. Should the weather not permit the match to be played tomorrow night, finding another suitable date could be extremely problematic for both teams with the schedule becoming that much more crowded with CONCACAF Champions league and the MLS playoffs looming. However, if Houston fails to make the Superliga final, that date may well be used for this match instead.

The June 4th match had been re-scheduled for today as is was easier for the Dynamo to simply remain in DC after playing DC in Superliga over the past weekend. Obviously, the Dynamo will now have to extend their stay for another day at least.

The extra day will almost certainly be more of a boon to United than for the Dynamo, who have to unexpectedly spend at least another day away from home. However, beyond that, Houston has two players due to play in the MLS All-Star game in Toronto on Thursday, so their availability for tomorrow night's game is now in question.

Also, Patrick Ianni and Stuart Holden were each allowed to report to the Olympic team camp a day late to accomodate a game played today. However, it will be interesting to see if that grace is extended another day, especially as the Olympic team has their camp and travel schedule already underway.

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