The Pitch - Today's stories

Home Examiners News Politics Entertainment Sports Business Health

classifieds autos jobs real estate

- D.C. United (10)
- Columbus Crew (3)
- U.S. soccer (3)
- Crystal Palace USA (1)
- ESPN (1)
- George Mason (1)
- John Harkes (1)
- Major League Soccer (1)
- Real Maryland (1)
- Real Salt Lake (1)

POSTED May 7, 1:34 PM

A couple links to the stuff I've got in today's paper:

First, the sweet, sweet Volkswagen deal. I know, the headline should've been "RFK becomes Volkswagen's haus." Nevertheless, good times for all, with players and staff alike all wondering whether it makes sense to take advantage of the employee discount for a car. The players may have a little finessing to do, thanks to the salary cap, but as one player told me: "What, you're saying the Galaxy players don't get free vitamins?"
A couple other tidbits about the VW deal that made the print edition, but not online:
--Volkswagen is offering complimentary parking to all fans driving to Thursday night’s match against the Chicago Fire.
--VW also has set aside 50 free parking spots for Volkswagen drivers to every D.C. United home game going forward.
--United’s Marcelo Gallardo will become a spokesman for Volkswagen.
--D.C. United executives Victor MacFarlane, Kevin Payne and Dave Kasper are planning to travel to Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen’s home, at the end of this month to visit VfL Wolfsburg and Volkswagen Arena, a German Bundesliga club and stadium both part-owned by the automaker. Wolfsburg and D.C. United may also play one another in the near future, and VW has first option of naming rights for a D.C. United stadium.

Second, my D.C. United notebook. Here's what I know: Ben Olsen isn't retiring, and unless there's a dramatic development today, Gallardo isn't playing against the Fire.