Major League football side DC United will host the first Capital Cup, a new international football club tournament.
The competition will take place from July 7 to July 14 at Audi Field, DC United’s stadium. The Capital Cup will feature the MLS team DC United, LigaMX side Club Puebla, Alianza FC from El Salvador and Costa Rica side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.
Audi Field previously announced that the arena will operate at full capacity to host fans throughout the tournament. All clubs will face each opponent during the week, and all matches will take place in DC
In the usual way, the team with the most points at the end of the tournament will be named the very first Capital Cup champion.
“The Capital Cup marries the most popular sport in the world with one of the most versatile and recognized global capitals, Washington, DC,” said Jason Levien, Co-President and CEO of DC United. “We look forward to welcoming high-class clubs from around the world to compete and entertain our fan base and the diverse, multicultural community that lives and works in the DC area. This annual summer tournament is a testament to the vision we had when we built the Audi Field. ”
Audi Field will have full capacity / Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
DC United confirmed that as the tournament progresses, the international clubs expected to participate will vary. The four teams that join the initial competition are not subject to remaining permanent members going forward. Each page will meet with each other, some for the first time in history.
Hosts United stands as the most decorated club in Major League Soccer with 13 national and international trophies. The black-reds have won four MLS cups and the supporters’ shield on four occasions. Club Puebla, known as La Franja, has been part of LigaMX for more than 75 years and has 12 national and international championships. In 1991, Club Puebla defeated international clubs to become CONCACAF Champions League winners. They last met DC United 2019 during a friendly match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Capital Cup is a step when a fourth team is added!
⚫️ 7/7 against @ldacr? 7/11 vs. @ ClubPueblaMX⚫️ 7/14 mot @AlianzaFC_sv
More information + tickets >> https://t.co/37InKwOzA5 pic.twitter.com/4oi9uK7chw
– DC United (@dcunited) June 28, 2021
El Salvador’s side Alianza FC have won 15 Primera Division titles since their inception in 1958. Nearly nine years after their opening season, Alianza FC won the CONCACAF Champions Cup and is currently one of the most successful clubs in its league. Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, the latest team to take part in the tournament, competes in Costa Rica’s Primera Division.
They are one of the most successful clubs in the league, having won the Primera Division on 30 occasions and the CONCACAF Champions League twice.
