This article documents the history of D.C. United, an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C. For a general overview of the club, see D.C. United.
The club's roots trace back to FIFA awarding its quadrennial tournament, the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 1989, specifically for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. As part of receiving the hosting rights, the United States Soccer Federation had promised FIFA it would have a fully-professional first division soccer league sanctioned by the end of the century. In December 1993, Major League Soccer was founded with the anticipated goal of beginning play in 1996. In June 1994, Washington, D.C. was selected as one of the eight original cities to host an MLS franchise, and the first franchise to be announced by MLS. The club's name, colors, and logo were announced in New York City in October 1995. It was also announced that United would begin play at RFK Stadium located in the city's seventh ward near the Eastland Gardens neighborhood and D.C. Armory. The stadium would remain the club's home venue until moving to their current home, the soccer-specific, Audi Field in 2018.
The club hired played its first match in April 1996 against the then-called San Jose Clash. They would proceed to win three of the first MLS Cup championships. Additionally, during this period from 1996 until 1999, the club would win the Supporters Shield (league regular season champion) twice, the U.S. Open Cup (domestic knockout cup) once, the CONCACAF Champions' Cup (continental championship) once, and the now-defunct Copa Interamericana (intercontinental championship) once. For this run of success the club was often regarded as the league's "flagship franchise" early on and was seen The late 199 were seen as a dynasty era for United.
D.C. United was the first franchise awarded by MLS, and was the dominant team in MLS during the league's first few years of existence. For those reasons, United is often regarded as MLS's "flagship franchise". As of 2013, the club has won four regular season and league championships, more than any other sports franchise in the Washington area. The team has also won three U.S. Open Cup titles and a CONCACAF title.
History of professional soccer in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Diplomats played in the North American Soccer League and American Soccer League from 1974 until 1991, and won one title, the ASL Championship in 1988. For a majority of the franchise's season, the Diplomats played at RFK Stadium, but some of their matches were played at W.T. Woodson High School in nearby Fairfax, Virginia.
Early years (1995–1999)
Introduction 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 soccer league. On June 15, 1994, Major League Soccer selected Washington, D.C. out of twenty-two applicants to host one of the first seven franchises, with three more to be added before the league's launch. Once an MLS franchise was awarded to Washington, new management had to name it. In keeping with sports naming conventions in the United States, the earliest efforts entailed the area's name followed by a mascot. Some ideas included the "Spies", "Americans" and "Eagles". Eventually, however, the new team's operators decided simply to name the team "D.C. United". The name "United" alluded to well-known European club names such as Leeds and Manchester United, and reflected the team's location in the capital of the United States.
The team's colors and original logo, along with those of the other nine original teams, were announced on October 17, 1995, 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. Three stripes along the shoulder, in white at home and black on the road (and originally on the front of the shirt itself), do not represent the three jurisdictions of the Washington Metropolitan Area Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, but reflect that the team's kits are made by Adidas. The team's shirt sponsor is Leidos. 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, clutching in its talons three soccer balls overlaid on three white stars. The three stars and balls were again intended to represent the region's three jurisdictions. The eagle – the national bird of the United States – symbolizes many of the attributes of the team, including speed and power. This original 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 Cups the team has won.
Immediate success (1996–99)
1996
D.C. United played its first MLS match on April 6, 1996, against the San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes). In this first game, the score remained tied at 0–0 until the last minutes of regulation time, when San Jose's attacker, Eric Wynalda, scored the first goal in league history and sent United to its first defeat. D.C. United lost its next three games and soon found itself in last place in both the Eastern Division and in the overall standings.
United managed, however, to turn its fortunes and qualify for the playoffs with an even 16–16 record. The team entered the playoffs with considerable momentum, and managed to win the Eastern Conference title with an upset win over Supporters' Shield winners, Tampa Bay Mutiny. In the inaugural MLS Cup championship match, United took on the Western Conference champions, Los Angeles Galaxy. In the championship match, United fell to an early 0–2 deficit, but regained form in the second half, where United rallied for a 3–2 golden goal victory and the championship. Additionally, United became the first sports team in the Washington, D.C. area in four years to win a league championship. United thereafter accomplished a "double", by adding the domestic (U.S. Open Cup) championship with a 3–0 victory over Rochester. The crowd of 8,000 at hand to see the Open Cup final would not be exceeded until 2009, when United itself hosted the Open Cup against Seattle. United's double was the first time a professional American soccer club won both the league and domestic championship since the New Bedford Whalers did so in 1932.
1997 In 1997, the club's success was highlighted by winning both the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield, which has been accomplished only five times in league history. The team's second year saw United compete, in addition to Major League Soccer, in the U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
On August 12, 1997, United would play their first international opponent, Trinidad and Tobago's United Petrotrin in the CONCACAF quarterfinals. There, an 84th-minute goal from Marco Etcheverry gave the club the 1–0 win, and a spot in the CONCACAF semifinals, where United would face a familiar foe, Los Angeles Galaxy. Played once again at Washington, D.C.'s RFK Stadium, the Galaxy's Cobi Jones netted once in the 10th minute of play, giving the visitors the advantage. Jones' goal, would be the decisive factor in the match, as United fell in the semifinals, and would play Mexico's Guadalajara in the consolation match. The third place game, ended in a 2–2 draw between the clubs, and third place was shared.
1998 By winning the 1997 MLS Cup, D.C. United earned its second consecutive berth into the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. In 1998, the tournament was held mid-season in the United States, and the club made it a priority to earn a North American title. Following a lopsided quarterfinal 8–0 victory over Trindiadian side Joe Public, United earned a semifinal matchup against the 1997 Mexican Invierno champions, León, ultimately defeating Club Leon 2–0 on goals by Roy Lassiter.
In the 1998 final, United went up against Deportivo Toluca, the 1998 Mexican Vernao champions. In front of a crowd of 12,607 a 41st-minute goal from United's Eddie Pope gave United its first, and to date, their only CONCACAF title. United became the first sports franchise in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to earn a continental honor, and the first American and MLS club to win a CONCACAF title. To this date, United is one of only two American soccer clubs to have won any CONCACAF club title.
United's continental success culminated in the 1998 Copa Interamericana, a now-defunct playoff series between the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL champions to determine the best soccer club in The Americas. As winners of 1998 Champions' Cup, United earned a berth into the series to take on Vasco da Gama of Brazil. In the first leg of the series, played at RFK Stadium, Vasco da Gama earned a 1–0 lead in the series. The return match, played in December 1998 was held at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the match, United earned a 2–0 win and the 2–1 advantage in aggregates to win the series and the final Interamericana title.
Despite two major continental titles in 1998, United failed to win an MLS trophy for the first time. Finishing with the second best regular season record, United fell 10 points shy of Los Angeles Galaxy in the competition for best record. United earned its way into the 1998 MLS Cup final through a shoot-out over Miami Fusion in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and a 2–1 series victory over Columbus Crew, for United's third consecutive Eastern Conference championship. Taking on upstart expansion side, Chicago Fire, United were shut out for a 0–2 loss against the Fire for the team's first MLS Cup loss.
1999
Bruce Arena had been D.C. United's coach from the beginning, but in October 1998, Arena left the team to direct the U.S. men's national team. To replace Arena, United turned to Thomas Rongen, who had won Coach of the Year honors as head of the Tampa Bay Mutiny in MLS's inaugural season. Rongen guided United to another successful season, and victory in the 1999 MLS Cup in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Rebuilding (2000–03)
Although it was not apparent at the time, 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, following the 1999 Major League Soccer season, the league substantially revised its rules regarding the structural format of the league, including the salary cap. The club was forced to release several key players so to come within the salary cap, and replaced them with younger, less expensive players. This "new look" United was the first D.C. United squad to fail to reach the MLS Cup and indeed failed to reach the playoffs altogether. D.C. United finished the 2000 MLS season with a record of 8–6–18 (W-T-L), second worst in the league.