D.C. United to play in the Copa Sudamericana

WASHINGTON -- Four-time MLS champion D.C. United will play in the Copa Sudamericana, a prestigious South American club tournament this fall.

United was invited to the event after a third-place finish in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup this year.

"Everyone in our organization is thrilled to be a part of Copa Sudamericana for a second time," said United president/CEO Kevin Payne. "This is a great opportunity for us to compete with the best teams in our hemisphere, and for our fans to support us as we play in a very important international competition."

D.C. United was the first team from Major League Soccer to participate in the tournament when it was invited to play in the 2005 edition. That year, D.C. faced Universidad Catolica of Chile in a two-game aggregate goal series. United tied 1-1 at RFK Stadium, then lost 3-2 at Santiago, Chile, blowing a 2-0 lead.

United won the MLS Cup in 1996, '97, '99 and 2004