MLS Direct Kick returns for 2005 season

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer announced Monday that the MLS Direct Kick television package returns for the League's 10th season, allowing fans the opportunity to watch over 125 games across three separate outlets. Satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND, will once again each present a full menu of MLS regional telecasts in 2005. The residential price remains at just $69 across each of the three platforms.

MLS Direct Kick will include live and tape-delayed broadcasts of MLS regular-season and MLS Cup Playoff games, including pre-game shows when available from regional TV. Nearly all of the 192 regular season games will be available via the MLS Direct Kick package and the national broadcast partners ABC, ESPN2, and HDNet. The package will be priced at $69 on all three platforms, while commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100 (regardless of seating capacity). The package will be available to purchase Wednesday, March 30.

Major League Soccer has collaborated with all three providers to offer two separate FREE PREVIEW periods for the MLS Direct Kick package, beginning with the opening weekend on April 2 and also from July 2-4. All MLS Direct Kick package telecasts are subject to change.

Purchasing The MLS Direct Kick Subscriber Package

DIRECTV - Includes but is not limited to all regional broadcasts on major networks (e.g. MSG, FOX Sports Net)

1-800-DIRECTV, online at www.DIRECTV.com
price (residential): $69.00 -- price (commercial): $100 (888-200-4388)

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DISH Network - Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the originating network)

1-800-333 DISH, online at www.DISHNetwork.com
price (residential): $69.00 -- price (commercial): $100 (800-454-0843)

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iN DEMAND - Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the originating network)

1-888-SPORTS-iN, info online at www.indemand.com
price (residential): $69.00 -- price (commercial): $100 (888-776-7874)

Major League Soccer's 10th Season kicks off on Saturday, April 2, 2005 with a full slate of games. First Kick 2005 is highlighted by the highly anticipated inaugural MLS match for Club Deportivo Chivas USA, as the expansion team plays host to MLS Cup champion D.C. United at The Home Depot Center in a match to be broadcast live on ABC Sports (3:00 p.m. ET).

In other matches on April 2: Clint Mathis and Eddie Pope lead Real Salt Lake against their former club, the MetroStars, at Giants Stadium (7:00 p.m. ET); the Los Angeles Galaxy travel to face the Supporters Shield winners, the Columbus Crew (7:30 p.m. ET on HDNet); the Western Conference Champion Kansas City Wizards host the Colorado Rapids (8:00 p.m. ET); the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas battle in the first installment of the Brimstone Cup (8:30 p.m. ET); and the New England Revolution take on the San Jose Earthquakes at Spartan Stadium to close out opening day (10:00 p.m. ET).