D.C. United
Encyclopedia
D.C. United is an American professional soccer (association football) club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.
Over the club's history
, D.C. United has been considered to be the flagship franchise of MLS winning 12 international and domestic titles. Domestically, United has been one of the most successful MLS clubs. United has won the U.S. Open Cup
twice, and holds an MLS record for most MLS Cup
and MLS Supporters' Shield
s apiece, winning each honor four times. United was the also the first club to win both the MLS Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield consecutively.
On the international stage, D.C. United has competed in both the CONCACAF Champions League
and its predecessor, the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The club is also the only American soccer club to ever compete in a CONMEBOL
(South American) competition, participating in the 2005
and 2007 editions
of the Copa Sudamericana
. In 1998, the club won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Subsequently, United won the now-defunct Copa Interamericana
, a competition between the CONCACAF
on CONMEBOL champion that year to determine the best soccer club in the Americas
. In the 1998
, and final edition of the Copa Interamericana, D.C. United defeated Vasco da Gama
of Brazil to take the title.
The team's home field is the 45,596-seat Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
, owned by the District of Columbia and located on the Anacostia River
. The team has proposed building a new 24,000-seat soccer-specific stadium
at multiple possible sites in the Washington metropolitan area
. The team is owned by San Francisco-based William H.C. Chang through the consortium D.C. United Holdings
. The team's head coach is long-time starting midfielder Ben Olsen
, who has coached the team since 2010.
Players such as Jaime Moreno
, Marco Etcheverry
, and Eddie Pope
are among the team's most successful stars. D.C. United has a strong fan base, with three supporters' clubs and one of the highest attendance averages in Major League Soccer. The club's official nickname is the "Black-and-Red" and home uniforms are black and white with accents of red. The team's name alludes to the "United" appellation commonly found in the names of soccer teams in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Prior to the 1994 FIFA World Cup
, the United States Soccer Federation
fulfilled promises to FIFA
by aiding in the foundation of a new professional league. On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer
selected Washington, D.C. out of twenty-two applicants to host one of the first seven teams, with three more added before the league's launch. Like many team names in MLS, the team's name was chosen as a reflection of the names of European clubs, such as Leeds United
.
On April 6, 1996, D.C. United played in the league's inaugural match against the San Jose Clash in Spartan Stadium
in San Jose, California
. In the league's early years, D.C. was the most successful of all the teams. Bruce Arena
, the club's first coach, led the team to the first "double" in modern U.S. soccer history in 1996, beating the Los Angeles Galaxy
to take the first MLS Cup
and the USL First Division
club the Rochester Raging Rhinos
to win the U.S. Open Cup. D.C. repeated its MLS Cup victory in 1997 against the Colorado Rapids
, with the match hosted at RFK Stadium. The team also saw early successes in CONCACAF
competitions, winning both the Champions' Cup and the Interamerican Cup in 1998.
In October 1998, Arena left the team to direct the U.S. men's national team
. Arena's departure marked the beginning of a downturn in the team's fortunes. While the club again won the MLS Cup in 1999 under coach Thomas Rongen
, lackluster results in 2000 and 2001 led to Rongen's departure and his replacement by Ray Hudson
in 2002. The team did not, however, fare much better under Hudson, and Piotr Nowak
replaced him before the start of the 2004 season. The club's first season under Nowak was marred by injuries in the early going, and some players were known to have complained about Nowak's methods. Nevertheless a strong finish, assisted in large measure by the late-season acquisition of Argentine midfielder Christian Gómez
, propelled United into the playoffs as the second seed. There they advanced past the New England Revolution
on penalty kicks in what has been called one of the best games in MLS history. United then defeated the Kansas City Wizards
to take their fourth MLS Cup.
On November 18, 2003, MLS
made sports history by signing Freddy Adu
, a 14-year-old soccer prodigy and on January 16, 2004 he was officially selected by United with the first pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft
. When Adu entered United's regular-season opener as a second-half substitute on April 3, 2004, he became the youngest player in any professional sport in the United States since 1887. On December 11, 2006, D.C. United traded Adu and goalkeeper Nick Rimando
to Real Salt Lake
in exchange for a major allocation
, goalkeeper Jay Nolly
, and future considerations.
In 2005, the club made MLS history by becoming the first United States-based team to participate in Copa Sudamericana
, entering in the Round of sixteen. Since 2006, United has played well against international competition, beating Scottish
champions Celtic F.C.
and drawing Real Madrid
in Seattle. In addition, the 2006 MLS All-Star Team, which included eight United players and was managed by United's manager Piotr Nowak
, defeated English
champions Chelsea
. In 2006 and 2007, the United became the first club in league history to win the MLS Supporters' Shield
consecutively.
Since their back-to-back Shields, the club has not qualified for the playoffs, marking a downturn in the club's form. United won their last major title in 2008, winning the U.S. Open Cup
. In 2008 and 2009, United had dry spells at the tail end of the season, ultimately causing them to miss out on the playoffs. 2010, was otherwise an absymal campaign, winning six matches, drawing four and losing 20, marking their worst record in history. In 2011, United for a record-breaking fourth year, failed to qualify for the playoffs in the second to last week of the campaign.
(Washington, D.C., Maryland
, and Virginia
); rather, they represent the fact that the team's kits are made by Adidas
. The team's shirt sponsor is German motor company Volkswagen
In 2011, the team introduced a predominantly red third kit
with black accents to be worn four or more times in the season. The team has also previously used white away uniforms with red stripes. White and red are the colors of the flag of Washington, D.C.
, and the stripes are also reminiscent of those used on the flag. Goalkeepers usually distinguish themselves with a red or green colored shirt.
The team's original shield was implemented in 1996 consisting of the team's name, D.C. United, above a black Bald Eagle
facing right on a red field, clawing three soccer balls overlaid on three white stars. The three stars and balls were again intended to represent the region's three jurisdictions. The bird, associated with the federal government based in Washington, D.C., symbolizes many of the attributes of the team, including speed and power. The logo was redesigned before the 1998 season. The current design reoriented the eagle facing left, and removed the three stars below it, whose metaphor was retained by three raised wing feathers. At the center of the eagle is a single gold colored star and soccer ball, which represents the team's victory in Major League Soccer
's inaugural cup in 1996
. The logo can also be adorned with four gold stars
above it, representing the MLS Cup
s the team has won.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.
Over the club's history
History of D.C. United
The History of D.C. United spans 17 years from 1995 to 2011 from Major League Soccer granting an MLS franchise in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The club has spent their entire history playing in RFK Stadium located in the city's seventh ward near the Eastland Gardens neighborhood and D.C...
, D.C. United has been considered to be the flagship franchise of MLS winning 12 international and domestic titles. Domestically, United has been one of the most successful MLS clubs. United has won the U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
twice, and holds an MLS record for most MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
and MLS Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
s apiece, winning each honor four times. United was the also the first club to win both the MLS Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield consecutively.
On the international stage, D.C. United has competed in both the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
and its predecessor, the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The club is also the only American soccer club to ever compete in a CONMEBOL
CONMEBOL
The South American Football Confederation , commonly known as CONMEBOL , is the continental governing body of association football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations...
(South American) competition, participating in the 2005
Copa Sudamericana 2005
The 2005 Copa Nissan Sudamericana de Clubes was international football cup competition played annually by clubs of CONMEBOL and, starting with this edition, invited teams from CONCACAF...
and 2007 editions
Copa Sudamericana 2007
The 2007 edition of the Copa Sudamericana was played by 34 teams; 30 teams from the CONMEBOL and 4 teams from the CONCACAF. CONMEBOL organized the tournament and invited three North American clubs which were the best three of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2007; the fourth North American club was the...
of the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
. In 1998, the club won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Subsequently, United won the now-defunct Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana
Copa Interamericana was a football trophy contested between the champions of CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores de América and the winners of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup...
, a competition between the CONCACAF
CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
on CONMEBOL champion that year to determine the best soccer club in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
. In the 1998
1998 Copa Interamericana
The 1998 Copa Interamericana was the 18th and final staging of this competition. The final took place between DC United and Vasco da Gama and was staged over two legs on 14 November 1998 and 5 December 1998. DC United won their first Copa Interamericana...
, and final edition of the Copa Interamericana, D.C. United defeated Vasco da Gama
Associação Desportiva Vasco da Gama
Associação Desportiva Vasco da Gama or simply Vasco da Gama is a Brazilian football team which is situated in the city of Rio Branco in the state of Acre. Associação Desportiva Vasco da Gama's home kit is a white shirt with a black diagonal stripe from the top right corner of the shirt to the...
of Brazil to take the title.
The team's home field is the 45,596-seat Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
, owned by the District of Columbia and located on the Anacostia River
Anacostia River
The Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is approximately long...
. The team has proposed building a new 24,000-seat soccer-specific stadium
D.C. United Stadium
D.C. United Stadium is an informal name that has been given for several soccer-specific stadium sites in the Washington, D.C. area. Ever since the initial proposal in 2006, D.C. United has had two additional stadium proposals that have failed to form...
at multiple possible sites in the Washington metropolitan area
Washington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
. The team is owned by San Francisco-based William H.C. Chang through the consortium D.C. United Holdings
D.C. United Holdings
D.C. United Holdings is a group of investors that control operating rights to D.C. United, a professional association football club that is part of Major League Soccer . The group is led by William H.C. Chang , Brian Davis and Christian Laettner , and Kevin Payne D.C. United Holdings is a group of...
. The team's head coach is long-time starting midfielder Ben Olsen
Ben Olsen
Benjamin Robert "Ben" Olsen is a former American professional soccer player and the current manager of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia...
, who has coached the team since 2010.
Players such as Jaime Moreno
Jaime Moreno
Jaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
, Marco Etcheverry
Marco Etcheverry
Marco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas is a retired Bolivian footballer, considered one of the greatest Bolivian players of all time.-Career:...
, and Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope
George Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
are among the team's most successful stars. D.C. United has a strong fan base, with three supporters' clubs and one of the highest attendance averages in Major League Soccer. The club's official nickname is the "Black-and-Red" and home uniforms are black and white with accents of red. The team's name alludes to the "United" appellation commonly found in the names of soccer teams in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
History
- For the current season see 2011 D.C. United season2011 D.C. United seasonThe 2011 D.C. United season was the club's 17th year of existence, their 16th season in Major League Soccer, and their 16th consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer. D.C. United will be trying to salvage a poor showing last season, finishing at the bottom of the MLS standings...
Prior to the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
, the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
fulfilled promises to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
by aiding in the foundation of a new professional league. On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
selected Washington, D.C. out of twenty-two applicants to host one of the first seven teams, with three more added before the league's launch. Like many team names in MLS, the team's name was chosen as a reflection of the names of European clubs, such as Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
Spartan Stadium (San Jose)
Spartan Stadium, located in San Jose, California, is the official stadium of the San José State University Spartans athletics teams. It is currently the home of the Spartan football and soccer teams....
in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. In the league's early years, D.C. was the most successful of all the teams. Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
, the club's first coach, led the team to the first "double" in modern U.S. soccer history in 1996, beating the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
to take the first MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
and the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
club the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
to win the U.S. Open Cup. D.C. repeated its MLS Cup victory in 1997 against the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
, with the match hosted at RFK Stadium. The team also saw early successes in CONCACAF
CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football is the continental governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean...
competitions, winning both the Champions' Cup and the Interamerican Cup in 1998.
In October 1998, Arena left the team to direct the U.S. men's national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. Arena's departure marked the beginning of a downturn in the team's fortunes. While the club again won the MLS Cup in 1999 under coach Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen
Thomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...
, lackluster results in 2000 and 2001 led to Rongen's departure and his replacement by Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson
Ray Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...
in 2002. The team did not, however, fare much better under Hudson, and Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak is a Polish former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey,...
replaced him before the start of the 2004 season. The club's first season under Nowak was marred by injuries in the early going, and some players were known to have complained about Nowak's methods. Nevertheless a strong finish, assisted in large measure by the late-season acquisition of Argentine midfielder Christian Gómez
Christian Gómez
Christian Gómez is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Nueva Chicago.-Argentina:Gómez began playing professional soccer at the age of 17 with Argentine club Nueva Chicago, which was at the time playing in the second division. He played with the team from 1991 to 1996, appearing in 155...
, propelled United into the playoffs as the second seed. There they advanced past the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
on penalty kicks in what has been called one of the best games in MLS history. United then defeated the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
to take their fourth MLS Cup.
On November 18, 2003, MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
made sports history by signing Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
, a 14-year-old soccer prodigy and on January 16, 2004 he was officially selected by United with the first pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft
2004 MLS SuperDraft
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 16, 2004, was the fifth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft, and was most notable for the selection of one of the youngest athletes in American sporting history, Freddy Adu, with the first pick.-Player...
. When Adu entered United's regular-season opener as a second-half substitute on April 3, 2004, he became the youngest player in any professional sport in the United States since 1887. On December 11, 2006, D.C. United traded Adu and goalkeeper Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
to Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
in exchange for a major allocation
Allocation (MLS)
In Major League Soccer, an allocation represents an amount of money teams can use to sign players and/or allocate to their salaries to get under the salary cap. Allocations are given to teams that have missed the playoffs the previous seasons, given to expansion teams, or awarded as compensation...
, goalkeeper Jay Nolly
Jay Nolly
Jay Nolly is an American soccer player currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, and future considerations.
In 2005, the club made MLS history by becoming the first United States-based team to participate in Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
, entering in the Round of sixteen. Since 2006, United has played well against international competition, beating Scottish
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
champions Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and drawing Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in Seattle. In addition, the 2006 MLS All-Star Team, which included eight United players and was managed by United's manager Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak
Piotr Nowak is a Polish former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey,...
, defeated English
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
champions Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. In 2006 and 2007, the United became the first club in league history to win the MLS Supporters' Shield
MLS Supporters' Shield
The Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
consecutively.
Since their back-to-back Shields, the club has not qualified for the playoffs, marking a downturn in the club's form. United won their last major title in 2008, winning the U.S. Open Cup
2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
The 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was played on September 3, 2008, at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. The match determined the winner of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States...
. In 2008 and 2009, United had dry spells at the tail end of the season, ultimately causing them to miss out on the playoffs. 2010, was otherwise an absymal campaign, winning six matches, drawing four and losing 20, marking their worst record in history. In 2011, United for a record-breaking fourth year, failed to qualify for the playoffs in the second to last week of the campaign.
Colors and badge
The team's colors and original logo were announced on October 17, 1995 along with those of the other ten original teams during a presentation in New York City. Black and white are D.C. United's primary colors, though the team's nickname is the "Black-and-Red." Red is used to accent the home jersey while white is the main color of the team's away kit. The three stripes along the shoulder — in white at home and black on the road — do not represent the three jurisdictions of the Washington Metropolitan AreaWashington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
(Washington, D.C., Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
); rather, they represent the fact that the team's kits are made by Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
. The team's shirt sponsor is German motor company Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
In 2011, the team introduced a predominantly red third kit
Third jersey
A third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
with black accents to be worn four or more times in the season. The team has also previously used white away uniforms with red stripes. White and red are the colors of the flag of Washington, D.C.
Flag of Washington, D.C.
The flag of the District of Columbia, USA, consists of three red stars above two red bars on a white background. It is based on the design of the coat of arms of George Washington, first used to identify the family in the twelfth century, when one of George Washington's ancestors took possession of...
, and the stripes are also reminiscent of those used on the flag. Goalkeepers usually distinguish themselves with a red or green colored shirt.
The team's original shield was implemented in 1996 consisting of the team's name, D.C. United, above a black Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
facing right on a red field, clawing three soccer balls overlaid on three white stars. The three stars and balls were again intended to represent the region's three jurisdictions. The bird, associated with the federal government based in Washington, D.C., symbolizes many of the attributes of the team, including speed and power. The logo was redesigned before the 1998 season. The current design reoriented the eagle facing left, and removed the three stars below it, whose metaphor was retained by three raised wing feathers. At the center of the eagle is a single gold colored star and soccer ball, which represents the team's victory in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's inaugural cup in 1996
MLS Cup 1996
The 1996 MLS Cup was the first championship match in Major League Soccer history. The game was played in very heavy rain on October 20, 1996, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. D.C. United beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in extra-time, after trailing 2-0, with 17 minutes remaining.D.C...
. The logo can also be adorned with four gold stars
Star (football crest)
In association football, some national and club sides include one or more stars as part of the crest appearing on their shirt, to represent important trophies the team has previously won. Sometimes this is a unilateral decision by the team concerned rather than a privilege earned and sanctioned...
above it, representing the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
s the team has won.
Kit evolution
- Home
- Away
- Third/Special
Sponsorship
Season Manufacturer Sponsor Ref. 1996–2001 Adidas AdidasAdidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...MasterCard MasterCardMastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...2002–2004 None 2005–2007 Sierra Mist Sierra MistSierra Mist is a lemon-lime flavored caffeine-free soft drink, introduced by PepsiCo in 2000 and rolled out nationally in the United States in 2003. PepsiCo owns the rights to the similar 7 Up brand outside the U.S...2008– Volkswagen
Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
(RFK) has been home to D.C. United since the club's founding in 1996. RFK was built in 1961 as
a dual use baseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
stadium. Prior to 1996, it periodically hosted soccer matches, including the 1980 Soccer BowlSoccer BowlThe Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
, the 1993 Supercoppa ItalianaSupercoppa ItalianaThe Supercoppa Italiana is a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Italy every year. It is contested by the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. It is usually played at the home of the Serie A...
, and five matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup1994 FIFA World CupThe 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
. When the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
baseball team shared the field from 2005 to 2007, there were criticisms regarding problems with the playing surface and even the dimensions of the field. The D.C. United Training Complex is located north of the stadium, and is where the Reserve DivisionMLS Reserve DivisionThe MLS Reserve Division is an USA soccer league for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer.It was inaugurated on April 9, 2005, with the first official reserve game being a 2-0 victory by Chivas USA over the host San Jose Earthquakes, and disbanded after the 2008 season.The reserve division...
team plays.
Several regional university stadiums have been used by the team for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open CupThe Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
matches, including Klöckner StadiumKlöckner StadiumKlöckner Stadium is home to four nationally recognized sports programs — the University of Virginia men's and women's soccer in the fall and men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse teams in the spring. The stadium was designed by VMDO Architects and built in 1992 at a cost of $3.4 million, and...
in Charlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
in 1996, and George Mason StadiumGeorge Mason StadiumGeorge Mason Stadium is a 5,000-seat stadium in Fairfax, Virginia on the campus of George Mason University. It serves as the home to George Mason's soccer and lacrosse teams....
in Fairfax, VirginiaFairfax, VirginiaThe City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
in 2010. Similarly, the team has also used the Maryland SoccerPlexMaryland SoccerPlexMaryland Soccerplex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, United States . There are nineteen natural grass fields, three artificial fields, and eight indoor courts...
in Germantown, Maryland for multiple early-round games in U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions' Cup since it opened in 2001. Exhibition games have also been played in nearby FedEx Field in Landover, MarylandLandover, MarylandLandover is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, within the census-designated place of Greater Landover. The Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex is in Landover...
.
In July 2006, D.C. United proposed building a new stadium along the Anacostia RiverAnacostia RiverThe Anacostia River is a river in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States. It flows from Prince George's County in Maryland into Washington, D.C., where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. It is approximately long...
as part of a redevelopment plan for Anacostia ParkAnacostia ParkAnacostia Park is operated by the United States National Park Service. It is one of Washington, D.C.'s largest and most important recreation areas, with over 1200 acres at multiple sites. Included in Anacostia Park is Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Marsh...
. However disputes with the city government about the proposal forced the team to consider other sites. In February 2009, the team announced plans for a new stadium in nearby Prince George's County, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
close to FedEx Field. Dubbed the Prince George's County Soccer StadiumD.C. United StadiumD.C. United Stadium is an informal name that has been given for several soccer-specific stadium sites in the Washington, D.C. area. Ever since the initial proposal in 2006, D.C. United has had two additional stadium proposals that have failed to form...
, this proposal ran into similar trouble when the County Council voted to send a letter to the Maryland General AssemblyMaryland General AssemblyThe Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
opposing the stadium plan. Fear that the lack of a new stadium might cause the team to leave the Washington, D.C. area caused protests on May 9, 2009.
In October 2009, the Baltimore Sun reported that BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
mayor Sheila DixonSheila DixonSheila Ann Dixon served as the forty-eighth Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland. When former Mayor Martin O'Malley was sworn in as Governor on January 17, 2007, Dixon, a Democrat, became mayor and served out the remaining year of O'Malley's term. In November 2007, she was elected mayor...
has asked the Maryland Stadium AuthorityMaryland Stadium AuthorityThe Maryland Stadium Authority, MSA, was created by Chapter 283, Acts of 1986 Maryland General Assembly. Its initial mission was to return the National Football League to Baltimore. Maryland sought a new football team after former Baltimore Colts owner, Robert Irsay, moved the Colts out of the...
to explore the possibility of building a 17,000- to 20,000-seat soccer stadium that could serve as D.C. United's permanent home, as well as host concerts, lacrosse games and other events, to woo D.C. United to Baltimore. The proposed stadium complex, according to Dixon's letter, would be part of a "green mixed-use project" with access to light rail, Interstates 95 and 295. A potential location mentioned for the stadium is in the 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) Westport Waterfront project. A feasibility study has been commissioned by the Maryland Stadium Authority was expected to be released in December 2010. Since then two sites in Washington, D.C. have also been proposed, one near Buzzard PointBuzzard PointBuzzard Point is an urbanized area located on the peninsula formed by the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers in the southwest quadrant of Washington, DC, USA.-History:...
, and one as part of a redevelopment of Capital City Market.
Supporters and rivalries
D.C. United has four major supporters groupsSupporters groupsSupporters groups or supporters clubs are independent fan clubs in association football, particularly in English speaking counties.Supporters groups in Europe are generally known as Ultras which derives from the Latin word deriving from ultrā, meaning beyond in English, with the implication that...
; La Barra BravaLa Barra BravaLa Barra Brava is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's D.C. United and the United States. It was founded in 1995 by Latino fans in the Washington, D.C...
, the Screaming Eagles, La NorteLa NorteLa Norte is a football supporters' club affiliated with Major League Soccer side D.C. United. The club was founded in 2001 when members of La Barra Brava left section 135 of RFK Stadium to form a new club. The club was originally situated in section 120 of RFK, as the section sat directly behind...
and the District Ultras. Each group has a designated section of the home stadium. La Barra Brava, Spanish for "The Brave Fans", was founded in 1995 by LatinoLatinoThe demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
fans in the Washington, D.C. area, mostly BoliviaBoliviaBolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n immigrants in support of original United players Marco EtcheverryMarco EtcheverryMarco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas is a retired Bolivian footballer, considered one of the greatest Bolivian players of all time.-Career:...
and Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
. They seek to bring a South American style to home games. All four clubs host public tailgates before home matches, and are known for singing during games. La Norte, which takes its name from its location on the North side of the stadium, is noted for its streamers, large drum, and harassment of the opposition. The District Ultras is known for its tifo; large hand-painted banners made specifically for a particular match.
D.C. United's primary rival is the New York Red Bulls. The two teams compete annually for the Atlantic Cup, a competition instituted by the two clubs. The cup is awarded to the team that gets the most points across the teams' meetings throughout the season. The Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
are United's second rival, one with whom D.C. has jockeyed over the years to represent MLS as its signature franchise. The teams, who met in the first MLS Cup, have the oldest rivalry in Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. D.C. United also has a burgeoning rivalry with the Philadelphia Union as the two teams represent two cities separated by only 120 miles. D.C. United is also unique among MLS teams for its rivalry with the Charleston BatteryCharleston BatteryCharleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the United Soccer LeaguesUnited Soccer LeaguesThe United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
, as they compete every time they face one another for the Coffee Pot Cup, a trophy established by the two sides' supporters.
Ownership and marketing
Billionaire investor George SorosGeorge SorosGeorge Soros is a Hungarian-American business magnate, investor, philosopher, and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Soros Fund Management. Soros supports progressive-liberal causes...
was the primary financial backer and director of Washington Soccer L.P., the group that owned the operating rights to D.C. United when the league was founded in 1995. Kevin PayneKevin Payne (soccer)Kevin J. Payne , is a U.S. soccer executive. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of D.C. United, Chairman of the Technical Committee and board member for the U.S. Soccer Federation, Vice Chairman of the U.S...
, former President of Soccer USA Partners and current CEO of D.C. United, was instrumental in organizing this ownership group. By 1998 the group was looking for new investors, and on February 15, 2001, it agreed to sell the team to Anschutz Entertainment GroupAnschutz Entertainment GroupThe Anschutz Entertainment Group is a sporting and music entertainment presenter and a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation. It is the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events, the owner of the world’s most profitable sports and entertainment venues, and under AEG Live the world's...
(AEG), founded by Colorado billionaire Philip AnschutzPhilip AnschutzPhilip Frederick Anschutz is an American entrepreneur. Anschutz bought out his father's drilling company in 1961 and earned large returns in Wyoming. He has invested in stocks, real estate and railroads...
, with AEG exercising its option to become the sole investor-operator on January 8, 2002. AEG, who also own Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles GalaxyThe Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
and Houston DynamoHouston DynamoThe Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
, ran the team until 2007.
On January 8, 2007, the operating rights to D.C. United were sold to D.C. United HoldingsD.C. United HoldingsD.C. United Holdings is a group of investors that control operating rights to D.C. United, a professional association football club that is part of Major League Soccer . The group is led by William H.C. Chang , Brian Davis and Christian Laettner , and Kevin Payne D.C. United Holdings is a group of...
, a newly-formed group venture that included real estate developer Victor MacFarlane, founder of MacFarlane Partners, and William H.C. Chang, chairman of Westlake International Group. Other investors included D.C. United president Kevin Payne and Blue Devil Development, headed by former Duke basketball players Brian DavisBrian Davis (basketball)Brian Keith Davis is an American former college and professional basketball player who was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 2nd round of the 1992 NBA Draft...
and Christian LaettnerChristian LaettnerChristian Donald Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. He had a distinguished college and national career, and played in the National Basketball Association for thirteen seasons, from 1992–2005. He is presently a minority holder for the Major League...
. In April 2009, Victor MacFarlane sold his share of the team to his partner William Chang after two stadium proposals had fallen through. In October 2009, Chang also bought out Davis and Laettner to fully control the team. Chang is also one of the primary investors of Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Volkswagen Group of America, the American subsidiary of Volkswagen AGVolkswagen GroupVolkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
, is the jersey sponsor of D.C. United. Volkswagen agreed to pay over $14 million over five-years, beginning on May 6, 2008, putting the automotive company's logo on the front of the team jersey as well as other details. The deal is the second highest in MLS history. As part of the sponsorship, Volkswagen will provide complimentary parking to the first fifty Volkswagens at every D.C. United home game. Other sponsors include AdidasAdidasAdidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, GEICOGEICOThe Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
, Verizon WirelessVerizon WirelessCellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
, and Papa John's PizzaPapa John's PizzaPapa John's Pizza is the third largest take-out and delivery pizza restaurant chain in the United States, behind Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza. It is based in Louisville, Kentucky. Papa John's slogan is "Better Ingredients. Better pizza. Papa John's"...
. In May 2007, United entered into an initial one-year strategic partnership with Brazilian club Atlético MineiroClube Atlético MineiroClube Atlético Mineiro , are a Brazilian football club based in Belo Horizonte, the oldest in the city. Founded in 1908, they play in the Campeonato Mineiro and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or Brasileirão. Atlético Mineiro have been Brazilian champions once, state winners a record 40 times and...
. The goal of the partnership is to enhance the sporting and commercial success of the respective clubs by sharing expertise and experience as well as creating new opportunities for the clubs in both areas.
Broadcasting
D.C. United are televised on Comcast SportsNetComcast SportsNetComcast SportsNet is a group of regional sports networks in the United States primarily owned by the Comcast cable television company....
. Dave JohnsonDave Johnson (sports announcer)Dave Johnson is an American radio personality. He is the current sports director and morning sports anchor for 103.5 WTOP-FM in Washington, D.C.-Biography:He first arrived at WTOP in 1989; left in 1992, but returned in 1995....
handles play by play, and former United coach Thomas RongenThomas RongenThomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...
does color commentary. Certain home matches are shown in High Definition on Comcast SportsNet HD. Select matches are also available on ESPN 2 and ESPN 2 HD. Color commentary has previously been provided by Gordon BradleyGordon BradleyGordon Bradley was an English-American football midfielder born and raised on Wearside who played several seasons with lower division English clubs before moving to play in Canada at the age of 30. During the Canadian off-season, he played and coached in the U.S. based German American Soccer...
, Clint PeayClint PeayClint Peay is a retired U.S. soccer defender who is currently the head coach with the University of Richmond men's soccer team. He was a regular on the U.S. junior national teams and U.S. Olympic team in the mid-1990s. He also spent several years with D.C...
, and Garth Lagerway. All matches are broadcast via radio on WDCN-LPWDCN-LPWDCN-LP is a low-power television station in the Washington, DC area, broadcasting locally on channel 6. Currently broadcasting in Spanish, it was slated to adopt a dance music format under a lease agreement with Mega Media, a company which operates a similar station on channel 6 in New York City,...
in Spanish. Herbert Baires does play-by-play.
First team roster
As of November 29, 2011.
Reserves and academy
This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division2011 MLS Reserve DivisionThe new MLS Reserve League was resurrected for the 2011 season, after not having played since 2008. Each team will play 10 games against divisional opponenets, with clubs being allowed schedule additional games against non-MLS opponents. The schedule begins March 20 and tentatively concludes Oct...
games, but are not part of the senior roster. For the full list of academy squads, see D.C. United AcademyD.C. United AcademyThe D.C. United Academy is the youth and development program for Major League Soccer club, D.C. United. The program consists of four levels: the under-23 and under-20 teams, as well as the Academy and Pre-Academy teams...
.
Former players
For details of former players, see All-time D.C. United rosterAll-time D.C. United rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for D.C. United since the team's first Major League Soccer season in 1996. Players who were on the roster but never played in an MLS game are not listed.-Players:...
and :Category:D.C. United players.
Club captains
For a list of club captains, see All-time D.C. United roster#Club captains.
Player records
For player records, including player awards, see List of D.C. United records and statistics.
Team management
Front Office and Ownership
Coaching staff
Head coaching history
Dates Name Notes 1996–1998 
Bruce ArenaBruce ArenaBruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...Led the club to their first titles, and their first doubles, and to date their only continental title. 1999–2001 
Thomas RongenThomas RongenThomas Rongen is a Dutch soccer coach, formerly the head coach of D.C. United, the Sporting Director of Major League Soccer club Chivas USA, and the coach of the American Samoa national association football team...First club head coach outside of the United States. 2001–2003 
Ray HudsonRay HudsonRay Hudson , is a retired professional football player and former coach who currently works as an English-language football commentator on Gol TV.-Career:...2004–2006 
Piotr NowakPiotr NowakPiotr Nowak is a Polish former professional soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.Nowak enjoyed a successful playing career in Europe, playing for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey,...2007–2009 Tom SoehnTom SoehnTom Soehn is an American former soccer player and manager, who is currently the Director of Soccer Operations for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...2010 Curt OnalfoCurt OnalfoCurt Onalfo is an American former soccer player.As a player, he played two seasons in France, two in the USISL, one in Mexico and four in Major League Soccer, achieving his most success with Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United. He earned also earned one caps with the United States national team...2010–present Ben OlsenBen OlsenBenjamin Robert "Ben" Olsen is a former American professional soccer player and the current manager of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia...
Honors
League
- MLS Supporters' ShieldMLS Supporters' ShieldThe Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system...
- Winners (4): 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007
- Runners-up (1): 1998
- MLS CupMLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
- Winners (4): 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004
- Runners-up (1): 1998
- MLS Eastern Conference
- Winners (Regular Season) (5): 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007
- Winners (Playoff) (5): 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004
Cup
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open CupThe Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
- Winners (2): 1996, 2008
- Runners-up (2): 1997, 2009
Minor Cups
- Atlantic Cup (7): 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Carolina Challenge CupCarolina Challenge CupThe Carolina Challenge Cup is a four-team round robin pre-season competition hosted by the Charleston Battery. It was started in 2004 and features teams from Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues. The Columbus Crew edged out D.C. United on goal differential to win the 2004 competition,...
(2): 2010, 2011
Continental
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup: 1
- 1998
- Copa InteramericanaCopa InteramericanaCopa Interamericana was a football trophy contested between the champions of CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores de América and the winners of CONCACAF's Champions' Cup...
: 1- 19981998 Copa InteramericanaThe 1998 Copa Interamericana was the 18th and final staging of this competition. The final took place between DC United and Vasco da Gama and was staged over two legs on 14 November 1998 and 5 December 1998. DC United won their first Copa Interamericana...
- 1998
- CONCACAF Giants CupCONCACAF Giants CupThe CONCACAF Giants Cup was an international football club competition held in 2001 to replace CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup. The cup was for CONCACAF teams with the highest attendance in their national league, and was won by Mexico's Club América...
- Runners-up (1): 2001
Doubles
- DoublesThe DoubleThe Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
- MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield: 2
- 19971997 D.C. United seasonThe 1997 D.C. United season was the clubs' third year of existence, as well as their second season in Major League Soccer. The United successfully defending their MLS Cup title, becoming the first and only club to consecutively win the MLS Cup, until Houston Dynamo in 2007...
, 19991999 D.C. United seasonThe 1999 D.C. United season was the clubs' fifth year of existence, as well as their fourth season in Major League Soccer.Following shortcomings in MLS Cup '98, United took winning the league championship as their top priority entering 1999. With Bruce Arena's departure to coach the United States...
- 1997
- MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup: 1
- 19961996 D.C. United seasonThe 1996 D.C. United season was the clubs' second year of existence, as well as their debutant season in Major League Soccer. The United would become the first club to win the MLS Cup this year.- Background :...
- 1996
- MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield: 2
Key
Key to regular season record- GP = Games played
- W = Won
- T = Tied
- L = Lost
- GF = Goals for
- GA = Goals against
- Pts = Points
- Pos = Final overall position
Key to leagues, divisions and cups- MLS = Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
- CONCACAF = Any North American competition
Key to playoff rounds- Conf. SF = Conference Semifinals
- Conf. F = Conference Finals
Key to U.S. Open Cup rounds- QR1 = First Qualifying Round
- QR2 = Second Qualifying Round
- QR3 = Third Qualifying Round
- R4 = Fourth Round
- R3 = Third Round
- QF = Quarterfinals
- SF = Semifinals
Team records
- Games:
Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(329) - Goals: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(131) (Moreno also holds the league record with 133 MLS goals) - Assists: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(102) - Minutes: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(24,372) - Shots: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(660) - Shots on Goal: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(380) - Game-Winning Goals: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(26) - Penalty-Kick Goals: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(42) - Multi-Goal Games: Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(17) - Hat Tricks:
Raúl Díaz ArceRaúl Díaz ArceRaúl Díaz Arce is a retired Salvadoran football player.He is El Salvador's second most prolific goal scorer behind Jorge "Mágico" González, with 39 goals in just 68 appearances.-Early career:...
(2) - Shutouts: United States Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
(29) - Saves: United States Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
(355) - Wins: United States Nick RimandoNick RimandoNicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
(41)
No active D.C. United players hold team records. Last Updated October 24, 2009
- All-Time regular season record: 188-152-58 = .521 win % (Through 2008 season)
- All-Time regular season home record: 118-52-28 = .643 win % (Through 2008 season)
- All-Time regular season away record: 70-100-30 = .400 win % (Through 2008 season)
MLS Best XI
The MLS Best XIMLS Best XIThe MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
is an acknowledgment of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer.
Marco EtcheverryMarco EtcheverryMarco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas is a retired Bolivian footballer, considered one of the greatest Bolivian players of all time.-Career:...
: (1996), (1997), (1998), (1999) Jeff AgoosJeff AgoosJeffrey Alan "Jeff" Agoos is a retired American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team....
: (1997), (1999) Eddie PopeEddie PopeGeorge Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
: (1997), (1998) Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
: (1997), (1999), (2004), (2005), (2006) Ryan NelsenRyan NelsenRyan William Nelsen, ONZM is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a defender, and is captain of Premier League club Blackburn Rovers. Nelsen captains the New Zealand national team, the All Whites. He joined Blackburn back in 2005 on a free transfer from D.C. United...
: (2003), (2004) Christian GómezChristian GómezChristian Gómez is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Nueva Chicago.-Argentina:Gómez began playing professional soccer at the age of 17 with Argentine club Nueva Chicago, which was at the time playing in the second division. He played with the team from 1991 to 1996, appearing in 155...
: (2005), (2006), (20072007 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.....
) Troy PerkinsTroy PerkinsTroy Perkins is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
: (2006) Bobby BoswellBobby BoswellRobert Allen "Bobby" Boswell is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-College:...
: (2006) Ben OlsenBen OlsenBenjamin Robert "Ben" Olsen is a former American professional soccer player and the current manager of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia...
: (20072007 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.....
) Luciano EmilioLuciano EmilioLuciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
: (20072007 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2007 Major League Soccer season was the 12th season in league history. The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup 2007 on November 18, 2007 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.....
) Dwayne De RosarioDwayne De RosarioDwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
: (2011)
Other awards
- Most Valuable PlayerMajor League Soccer MVP AwardThe Major League Soccer MVP is a soccer award for players in Major League Soccer. The award is given to the player deemed the most valuable player in the league each season. From 1996 to 2007 the award was sponsored by Honda. The award is now sponsored by Volkswagen.Preki is the only player to win...
: Bolivia Marco EtcheverryMarco EtcheverryMarco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas is a retired Bolivian footballer, considered one of the greatest Bolivian players of all time.-Career:...
(1998),
Argentina Christian GomezChristian GómezChristian Gómez is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Nueva Chicago.-Argentina:Gómez began playing professional soccer at the age of 17 with Argentine club Nueva Chicago, which was at the time playing in the second division. He played with the team from 1991 to 1996, appearing in 155...
(2006),
Brazil Luciano EmilioLuciano EmilioLuciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
(2007),
Canada Dwayne De RosarioDwayne De RosarioDwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
(2011) - Coach of the YearMLS Coach of the Year AwardThe MLS Coach of the Year Award is an award given by Major League Soccer to the best coach in any given season. The award has been given since the league's inception in 1996.-Winners:...
: United States Bruce ArenaBruce ArenaBruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
(1997) - Defender of the YearMLS Defender of the Year AwardIn the United States, Major League Soccer has handed out a Defender of the Year award since its inception in 1996. Here is a list of the past winners:Past winners:...
: United States Eddie PopeEddie PopeGeorge Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
(1997), United States Bobby BoswellBobby BoswellRobert Allen "Bobby" Boswell is an American soccer player who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-College:...
(2006) - Goalkeeper of the YearMLS Goalkeeper of the Year AwardIn the United States, Major League Soccer has handed out a Goalkeeper of the Year Award since its inception in 1996. Here is a list of recipients:-Winners:-External links:*...
: United States Troy PerkinsTroy PerkinsTroy Perkins is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-College and amateur:...
(2006) - Golden BootMLS Golden BootThe MLS Golden Boot has been awarded since the 2005 season to Major League Soccer's regular season leading scorer...
: Bolivia Jaime MorenoJaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....
(1997), Brazil Luciano EmilioLuciano EmilioLuciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
(2007), Canada Dwayne De RosarioDwayne De RosarioDwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
(2011) - Newcomer of the YearMLS Newcomer of the Year AwardThe MLS Newcomer of the Year Award is awarded by Major League Soccer to a player who has professional experience in another league and has an outstanding season in his first season of play in the MLS.-Winners:...
: Brazil Luciano EmilioLuciano EmilioLuciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...
(2007) - Rookie of the YearMLS Rookie of the Year AwardIn the United States, Major League Soccer has handed out a Rookie of the Year Award since its inception in 1996. MLS, as opposed to other American sports leagues like Major League Baseball, only designates a player as a rookie if the player has had no prior professional experience...
: United States Ben OlsenBen OlsenBenjamin Robert "Ben" Olsen is a former American professional soccer player and the current manager of D.C. United. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Olsen grew up playing for FC Delco, an elite club program near Philadelphia...
(1998),
Honduras Andy NajarAndy NajarAndy Najar Rodriguez is a Honduran footballer currently playing for D.C. United in Major League Soccer in the United States.-Amateur:...
(2010)
Team MVP
Year Name Country 2004 Jaime Moreno Jaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....2005 Christian Gómez Christian GómezChristian Gómez is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Nueva Chicago.-Argentina:Gómez began playing professional soccer at the age of 17 with Argentine club Nueva Chicago, which was at the time playing in the second division. He played with the team from 1991 to 1996, appearing in 155...2006 Christian Gómez Christian GómezChristian Gómez is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Nueva Chicago.-Argentina:Gómez began playing professional soccer at the age of 17 with Argentine club Nueva Chicago, which was at the time playing in the second division. He played with the team from 1991 to 1996, appearing in 155...2007 Luciano Emilio Luciano EmilioLuciano Emílio is a Brazilian footballer, currently playing for Toros Neza in the Liga de Ascenso.-Early career:...2008 Jaime Moreno Jaime MorenoJaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side....2009 Clyde Simms Clyde SimmsClyde Simms is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-College:...2010 Andy Najar Andy NajarAndy Najar Rodriguez is a Honduran footballer currently playing for D.C. United in Major League Soccer in the United States.-Amateur:...
National Soccer Hall of Famers
John HarkesJohn HarkesJohn Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
- (MF), (1996–98), (Inducted 2005), (Player Category) Jeff AgoosJeff AgoosJeffrey Alan "Jeff" Agoos is a retired American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team....
- (DF), (1996–00), (Inducted 2009), (Player Category) Bruce ArenaBruce ArenaBruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
- (Coach), (1996–98), (Inducted 2010), (Builder Category) Eddie PopeEddie PopeGeorge Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
- (DF), (1996-02), (Inducted 2011), (Player Category) Earnie Stewart - (MF), (2003–04), (Inducted 2011), (Player Category)
Hall of Tradition
In 2003, D.C. United introduced the "Hall of Tradition" (formerly "Tradition of Excellence"), an honor bestowed upon players, coaches & front office staff deemed by United to have been crucial to the team's success.
John HarkesJohn HarkesJohn Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
- (MF), (1996–98), (Inducted May 14, 2003) Marco EtcheverryMarco EtcheverryMarco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas is a retired Bolivian footballer, considered one of the greatest Bolivian players of all time.-Career:...
, (MF), (1996–03), (Inducted October 20, 2007)- Betty D'Anjolell (Executive), (1995–98), (Inducted June 29, 2008) Jeff AgoosJeff AgoosJeffrey Alan "Jeff" Agoos is a retired American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team....
- (DF), (1996–00), (Inducted October 16, 2008) Raúl Díaz ArceRaúl Díaz ArceRaúl Díaz Arce is a retired Salvadoran football player.He is El Salvador's second most prolific goal scorer behind Jorge "Mágico" González, with 39 goals in just 68 appearances.-Early career:...
(FW), (1996–97), (2000), (Inducted September 2, 2009) - Danilo Noel Dirón - (Broadcaster), (1997–08), (Inducted September 2, 2009) Eddie PopeEddie PopeGeorge Edward Pope is a retired American soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Youth:Born in Greensboro, he attended Southwest Guilford...
- (DF), (1996–02), (Inducted July 18, 2010)
See also
- Robert F. Kennedy Memorial StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
- History of D.C. UnitedHistory of D.C. UnitedThe History of D.C. United spans 17 years from 1995 to 2011 from Major League Soccer granting an MLS franchise in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The club has spent their entire history playing in RFK Stadium located in the city's seventh ward near the Eastland Gardens neighborhood and D.C...
- D.C. United WomenD.C. United WomenD.C. United Women is an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C. that competes in the W-League, the second tier of professional women's soccer in the United States. The team is an affiliate of Major League Soccer club, D.C...
- D.C. United U-23D.C. United U-23D.C. United U-23 is an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 2011, the team is currently playing a schedule of exhibition games in anticipation of their entry into the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the United States soccer pyramid, in 2012.The team is...
External links
- www.dcunited.com Team's official website
- Team profile on FIFA.com
- Official D.C. United board courtesy of BigSoccer
Supporters- www.barra-brava.com Barra Brava Supporters' Club
- www.screaming-eagles.com Screaming Eagles Supporters' Club website
- www.lanorte.com La Norte Supporters' Club
- dcunited.pl Polish fan website
Blogs- Steven GoffSteven GoffSteven "Steve" Goff is a sports writer for The Washington Post, for whom he has worked since 1985 and covered soccer regularly since 1992. He has followed the United States men's national soccer team at five World Cups, has been the beat reporter on D.C. United since MLS's launch in 1996, and has...
's Washington Post - Soccer Insider Blog
- MLS Supporters' Shield