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D.C. United Wiki Information

D.C. United is an American professional soccer club located in Washington, D.C. that participates in Major League Soccer, the United States' top-tier soccer league. 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. [1] The team is owned by the consortium D.C. United Holdings.

Considered the most successful club in American soccer, D.C. United has won the U.S. Open Cup twice and holds the record for most MLS Cups and MLS Supporters' Shields with four apiece. D.C. United was the first club to repeat either the MLS Supporters' Shield or the MLS Cup back-to-back. [2] In 1998 D.C. United became the first American club to win the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and the Copa Interamericana. [3] [4] Internationally, D.C. United has played in numerous CONCACAF competitions, including the recent 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup and 2008 SuperLiga. They are also the only US-based club to ever participate in a South American CONMEBOL competition, playing in the 2005 and 2007 editions of the Copa Sudamericana.

Players such as Jaime Moreno, Christian Gómez, and Marco Etcheverry 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. [5] 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.

D.C. UNITED TICKETS

History

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. [6] The team's name was chosen as a reflection of European team names such as Manchester United or Newcastle United. D.C. United however departs from the common British practice in which "United" may refer to a club formed by the union of two existing constituent clubs. [7]

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. [8] 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. [9] 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. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] 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. [15] 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. [16]

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. [17] Since 2006, United has played well against international competition, beating Scottish champions Celtic F.C. and tying Real Madrid in Seattle. In addition, the 2006 MLS All-Star Team, which included seven United players and was managed by United's manager Piotr Nowak, defeated English champions Chelsea. Despite missing the MLS Playoffs in 2008, D.C. United won the 2008 U.S. Open Cup.

Colors and badge

The teams 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 uniforms. Three stripes along the shoulder, in white at home and black on the road, represent the three jurisdictions of the Washington Metropolitan Area: Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Before the team's current sponsorship deal with Volkswagen, three strips were also used on the front of the jerseys. 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 light blue colored shirts.

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, similar to the stripes on the uniform. 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. [18] The logo can also be adorned with four gold stars above it, representing the MLS Cups the team has won.

Stadium

thumb has been home to D.C. United for the team's entire existence. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK) has been home to D.C. United since the team's founding in 1996. RFK was built in 1961 as a dual use baseball and American football stadium. Prior to 1996, it periodically hosted soccer matches, including the 1980 Soccer Bowl, the 1993 Supercoppa Italiana, and five matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. When the Washington Nationals 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. [19] The D.C. United Training Complex is located north of the stadium, and is where the Reserve Division team plays. [20]

In July 2006, D.C. United proposed building a new stadium along the Anacostia River as part of a redevelopment plan for Anacostia Park. However disputes with the Council of the District of Columbia over 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, Maryland close to FedEx Field. Dubbed the Prince George's County Soccer Stadium, this proposal ran into similar trouble when the County Council voted to send a letter to the Maryland General Assembly opposing the stadium plan. [21] 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. [22]

Supporters and rivalries

thumb are known for supporting D.C. with chants and large flags. D.C. United has three major fan associations, La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles, and La Norte. Each group has a designated section of the home stadium. La Barra Brava, Spanish for "The Brave Fans," was founded in 1995 by Latino fans in the Washington, D.C. area, mostly Bolivian immigrants in support of original United players Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno. They seek to bring a South American style to home games. [23] The Screaming Eagles feature many singers, and also try to increase community support around D.C. United. La Norte, which takes its name from its location on the North side of the stadium, is noted for its streamers, large drum, and constant harassment of the opposition. [24]

D.C. United's primary rival is Red Bull New York, formerly known as the MetroStars. The two teams compete annually for the Atlantic Cup, a competition instituted by the two teams' management that goes to the team that gets the most points across the teams' three meetings throughout the year. The Los Angeles Galaxy are the team's second rival, one with whom D.C. has jockeyed over the years to represent MLS as its signature franchise. [25] The teams, who met in the first MLS Cup, have the oldest rivalry in Major League Soccer. [26] D.C. United is also unique among MLS teams for its rivalry with the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer Leagues, as they compete every time they face one another for the Coffee Pot Cup, a trophy established by the two sides' supporters. [27]

Ownership and marketing

thumb Billionaire investor George Soros 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. [28] Kevin Payne, 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 Group (AEG), founded by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, with AEG exercising its option to become the sole investor-operator on January 8, 2002. AEG, who also own Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, ran the team until 2007.

On January 8, 2007, the operating rights to D.C. United were sold to D.C. United Holdings, 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 Davis and Christian Laettner. [29] In April 2009, Victor MacFarlane sold his share of the team to his partner William Chang after two stadium proposals had fallen through. [30] Chang is also one of the primary investors of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants.

Volkswagen Group of America, the American subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, 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. [31] 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 Adidas, GEICO, Verizon Wireless, and Papa John's Pizza. [32] In May 2007, United entered into an initial one-year strategic partnership with Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro. 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. [33]

D.C. United are televised on Comcast SportsNet. Dave Johnson handles play by play, and former United coach Thomas Rongen 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. [34] Color commentary has previously been provided by Gordon Bradley, Clint Peay, and Garth Lagerway. All matches are broadcast via radio on WZAA in English and WACA-AM in Spanish. Tony Limarzi does English play-by-play, Carlos Escopeta Osorio does play-by-play in Spanish, Wilson Romero is the Spanish color commentator, and Edgar Enciso is the sideline reporter in Spanish. [35]

Players

Current roster

As of August 25, 2009. [36] For recent transfers, see List of transfers for the 2009 Major League Soccer season.

No. Position Player


No. Position Player




MLS Best XI

The MLS Best XI is an acknowledgment of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer. [37]

  • Marco Etcheverry: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  • Jeff Agoos: 1997, 1999
  • Eddie Pope: 1997, 1998
  • Jaime Moreno: 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Ryan Nelsen: 2003, 2004
  • Christian Gomez: 2005, 2006, 2007
  • Troy Perkins: 2006
  • Bobby Boswell: 2006
  • Ben Olsen: 2007
  • Luciano Emilio: 2007

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. [38]

  • John Harkes, MF, 1996-1998, inducted May 14th, 2003.
  • Marco Etcheverry, MF, 1996-2003, inducted October 20th, 2007.
  • Betty D'Anjolell, executive, 1995-1998, inducted June 29th, 2008.
  • Jeff Agoos, DF, 1996-2000, inducted October 16, 2008.
  • Raúl Díaz Arce, F, 1996-1997, 2000, inducted September 2nd, 2009
  • Danilo Noel Dirón, Broadcaster, 1997-2008, inducted September 2nd, 2009

Head coaches

thumb has coached D.C. United since 2007. Five men have coached D.C. United in its history. Bruce Arena began in 1996, leaving his position coaching the men's soccer team at the University of Virginia. In 1998, after winning two MLS Cups and the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, Arena left to coach the United States men's national soccer team. Thomas Rongen left his head coach position with the New England Revolution to replace Arena in 1999. Rongen led D.C. to another MLS cup in 1999 but was replaced by Ray Hudson in 2001, who was hired after the contraction of his Miami Fusion F.C. that year.

Hudson saw D.C. United fall to last in the table in 2002 and lose in the first round of the playoffs in 2003. [39] Former Chicago Fire player Piotr (Peter) Nowak was then hired to replace Hudson, and led D.C. United to their fourth MLS Cup in 2004. Nowak left on December 21, 2006 for an assistant coaching position on the national team. Tom Soehn, another former Chicago Fire player, was hired next, and is the first American to coach the team since Bruce Arena.

  • Bruce Arena (1996–1998)
  • Thomas Rongen (1999–2001)
  • Ray Hudson (2002–2003)
  • Peter Nowak (2004–2006)
  • Tom Soehn (2007— )

Statistics and records

thumb owns most of D.C. United's offensive records.
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