User:Quidster4040/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. Armory.

Over the past 17 years, United has developed a reputation of being MLS's "flagship franchise",   and has created a well-renowned tradition of winning numerous awards. Presently, the club has won four regular season and league championships, more than any other sports franchise in the Washington area. The team's success is also highlighted by winning two U.S. Open Cup titles and a CONCACAF title.

D.C. Awarded Inaugural MLS Franchise
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.

thumb|150px|upright|Logo used from 1996 to 1998|alt=A shield with stylized black eagle facing right on a red field under the words "D.C. United". Below the eagle are three white stars with soccer balls. 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. 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, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland,but are to do with 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 Cups the team has won.

The Debutant Double
The United would play their first even MLS match on April 6, 1996; where they would take on the San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes). In the franchise's first game, the score remained gridlocked at 0-0 until the dying minutes of regulation time, there San Jose's attacker, Eric Wynalda scored the first ever goal in league history, in which gave the United their first ever defeat. Consequently, the loss resulted in a four-match losing run for United, as the club would find themselves dwelling last place in both the Eastern Division and in the overall standings.

In spite of the four-game setback, the United would manage to turn their fortunes around and qualify for the playoffs with an even 16–16 record. The Bruce Arena-led side stormed into the playoffs with considerable force, and managed to win the Eastern Conference title. The Eastern Conference championship came as a shock to most of the league, as United took down Supporters' Shield winners, Tampa Bay Mutiny in the match. With the win, United book themselves into the inaugural MLS Cup championship match. There, United took on Western Conference champions, Los Angeles Galaxy. The match between United and Galaxy was considered by many, to be a pathway for the two clubs' success and the right to earn the title as flagship franchises in MLS. In the championship, United fell early by a 2–0 margin to Los Angeles, but were able to regain their form in the second half of play. There, United rallied for a 3–2 golden goal victory, giving United the first ever trophy for the club. Additionally, United became the first sports team in the Washington, D.C. area in four years to win a league championship. Quickly thereafter, United made an unprecedented double, by winning both the league (MLS Cup) and domestic (U.S. Open Cup) championships with a 3–0 victory over Rochester. The crowd of 8,000 at hand to see the Open Cup final would not be broken until 2009, when the United themselves hosted the Open Cup against Seattle. Additionally, 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.

Back-to-Back League Titles
United returned the following season carrying some champions' swagger, being the first franchise in league history to win the league championship, as well as the first MLS club to win the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in the same year. In 1997, the club's success was highlighted by a new feat that has only been accomplished five times in league history: winning both the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield.

The team's second year saw United compete, in addition to Major League Soccer; the U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

On August 12, 1997 the 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 spot in the CONCACAF semifinals, where they would face a familiar foe, Los Angeles Galaxy. Many consider this the budding of the intra-conference rivalry, as the continental semis was a rematch of the previous MLS Cup final. 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 the 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, as third place was shared.

International Glory
In 1998, DCU won the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Roengen Steps In
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.

Second Golden Age
thumb|150px|upright|In the 2006 and 2007 MLS campaigns, United became the first MLS club to successfully defend the Supporters' Shield.|alt=A trophy with a V-shape sitting on a table

The years under Pitor Nowak and the early years under Tom Sohen's coaching were seen as the strongest for United since their late 90's dominance in the league. Highlighted with an MLS Cup title, two Supporters' Shields, and a Open Cup title, the United nearly doubled their trophy case in the span of four years.

February 18, 2004; Nowak took the helm of head coach for United following the firing of Ray Hudson. The year was also marked by the arrival of up and coming teen prodigy Freddy Adu who, at the time, was only 14 years old. His professional contract with United made Adu the youngest pro athlete signed to an American sports league since 1887. The arrival of the prospect received major national headlines, and record crowds to United matches both at home and on the road. One match, resulted in a sellout of crowd upwards of 46,000 spectators; the fourth largest in United history.

While United struggled at first with consistency, the club defied expectations of a poor season and finished third place overall and second in the Eastern Conference. The record was good enough for a second seed in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs. In the Eastern Conference championship, the second seed United hosted fourth seed New England in a match that has been deemed as the greatest match in MLS history. In front of 21,000 spectators; United and the Revolution battled to a 3–3 draw during regulation time, thanks to a last gasp equalizer from New England's Pat Noonan. Still leveled at three-apiece, the match had to go into penalty kicks. The first takers, New England's Steve Ralston and D.C.'s Ben Olsen both missed their penalties, while the next two; Matt Reis and Santino Quaranta successfully converted their penalties. The third kick-takers, Taylor Twellman and Freddy Adu both nailed their shots. Things got interesting in the fourth and fifth rounds, where New England had their shot saved, while D.C.'s hit the crossbar. The series had to go to sudden death penalty kicks, where New England's Clint Dempsey missed his, whereas United's Brian Carroll successfully converted his. Followed by huge uproar and the club storming the field, it was the first time in five years the United returned back to the MLS Cup championship.

Decline
Following the club's successful 2007 campaign, the team faced many difficult

Wooden Spoon recipients
To date, the 2010 season for D.C. United marked the worst season in franchise history, in terms of overall performance in league competitions. The nadir of the year was highlighted by United failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. Additionally the team finished a franchise-worst in last place in both the Eastern Conference and overall, which resulted in their second Wooden Spoon earned in franchise history.

One of the few bright spots of 2010 was the fact that United made a deep, semifinal run in the U.S. Open Cup tournament, before eventually bowing out to Columbus Crew. In August, Onlafo was fired.

Season-by-season results
Note: Before 2000, MLS matches that ended tied went into a golden goal overtime.

Notable players
''This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. Players in boldface are players whom have been inducted into the Hall of Tradition.''

International
Copa Interamericana
 * Winners (1): 1998

CONCACAF Champions League
 * Winners (1): 1998
 * Third Place (6): 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008

CONCACAF Giants Cup
 * Runners-up (1): 2001

SuperLiga
 * Third Place (1): 2007

Domestic
U.S. Open Cup
 * Winner (2): 1996, 2008
 * Runner-up (1): 2009

League
MLS Cup
 * Winner (4): 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004
 * Runner-up (2): 1998

MLS Supporters' Shield
 * Winner (4): 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007
 * Runner-up (1): 1998


 * MLS Eastern Conference
 * Winners (Regular Season) (5): 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007
 * Winners (Playoff) (5): 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004

Minor awards
Atlantic Cup
 * Winner (10): 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
 * Runners-up (5): 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2010

Carolina Challenge Cup
 * Winners (2): 2010, 2011