D.C. United: The First Dynasty of Major League Soccer

D.C. United: The First Dynasty of Major League Soccer

When Major League Soccer launched in 1996, the league was taking a bold gamble. The United States had just hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which drew huge crowds and renewed optimism for soccer’s future. But questions remained: Could a professional league survive in the crowded American sports landscape? Could it draw fans consistently when past ventures like the NASL had collapsed?

Enter D.C. United, the flagship franchise that gave MLS its earliest credibility. Based in the nation’s capital, the team embodied a sense of importance and permanence that the fledgling league badly needed. From the very start, United carried themselves with the swagger of an established club, sporting black uniforms modeled after European giants and adopting a serious, no-frills name—unlike the more Americanized monikers such as the Tampa Bay Mutiny or San Jose Clash.

The gamble paid off. Under the guidance of head coach Bruce Arena, D.C. United won the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996, defeating LA Galaxy in dramatic fashion after a rain-soaked comeback at Foxborough. They followed it up with another championship in 1997, cementing their dominance. By 1999, after a brief stumble the previous year, United claimed their third title in four seasons. In those early years, they also collected the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, the 1998 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, and the 1998 Copa Interamericana—defeating Vasco da Gama of Brazil in a stunning upset. No other MLS team at the time had even come close to such success.

The players became legends. Marco Etcheverry, the Bolivian playmaker with the flowing ponytail, orchestrated the midfield with creativity and flair. Jaime Moreno, also from Bolivia, emerged as one of the league’s greatest-ever strikers, scoring more than 130 goals across his MLS career. Eddie Pope, a rock in defense, scored the golden goal in the 1996 MLS Cup final. These names not only brought victories, but also gave MLS faces and stars in its formative years.

After Arena departed to coach the U.S. national team, United remained competitive but entered a period of decline in the early 2000s. A revival came in 2004, when they captured their fourth MLS Cup under head coach Piotr Nowak, powered by the teenage prodigy Freddy Adu—a signing that made global headlines. Adu never fully lived up to the hype, but his presence at D.C. United put the club at the center of international soccer conversations.

Since then, United have struggled to maintain consistent success. They reached the playoffs in several years, captured the 2013 U.S. Open Cup, and had brief resurgences under stars like Luciano Emilio, Dwayne De Rosario, and later Wayne Rooney, who arrived as a player in 2018. Rooney’s time was short but memorable, highlighted by his legendary 2018 sprint-tackle-and-assist against Orlando City, a clip that went viral worldwide. Rooney later returned as head coach in 2022–23, though results were mixed.

Today, D.C. United are no longer the dominant dynasty they once were, but their legacy remains untouchable. They were the league’s first great club, the standard-setters, and the foundation upon which MLS built its modern identity.

Trivia: D.C. United are still the only MLS team ever to win the Copa Interamericana, defeating South American champions Vasco da Gama in 1998—a feat no one else has replicated.

Rivalries

Rivalries are the lifeblood of soccer, and few teams in MLS history have had as many heated ones as D.C. United.

The most famous is the Atlantic Cup, their annual battle with the New York Red Bulls. Dating back to the earliest days of the league, the D.C.–New York rivalry has everything: geographic proximity, playoff clashes, and passionate fanbases. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, United routinely eliminated New York from postseason contention, building a sense of bitterness that persists to this day. The Atlantic Cup is one of the longest-running derby traditions in MLS, with a trophy awarded each year to the team that wins the season series.

Another rivalry is with the New England Revolution. The two clubs squared off in multiple playoff battles during the 2000s, often producing thrilling encounters. The 2004 Eastern Conference Final—where D.C. defeated New England in a 3–3 thriller that went to penalties—remains one of the greatest matches in MLS playoff history.

More recently, the Philadelphia Union have emerged as rivals due to geographic closeness and competitive tension. Philadelphia’s rise has come at a time when D.C. have been rebuilding, creating a new dynamic between an old giant and an ambitious newcomer.

Historically, United also had an early rivalry with the LA Galaxy, meeting in two MLS Cups (1996 and 1999) and trading blows as the league’s most dominant teams of the 1990s.

Trivia: In 2004, D.C. United delivered the largest playoff victory in MLS history—a 6–2 demolition of the New York Red Bulls, then called the MetroStars. That match still stands as a defining moment in the rivalry.

D.C. United: Ownership

Ownership of D.C. United has shifted multiple times over the years, often intertwined with the club’s stadium saga. In the early years, United were operated by Major League Soccer itself, as most teams were in the league’s single-entity structure. By the late 2000s, businessman Victor MacFarlane and later Will Chang became key investors. MacFarlane envisioned a large real estate project tied to a stadium in Washington, D.C., but the plan collapsed amid the 2008 financial crisis.

In 2012, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan took over majority ownership, bringing renewed ambition. Under their leadership, the club finally secured a deal for a new stadium, Audi Field, after years of failed negotiations with local governments. Levien, a sports investor also involved with Swansea City in England, has emphasized modernization and rebuilding United’s competitive foundation.

While not among the league’s wealthiest ownership groups compared to new expansion clubs like LAFC or Inter Miami, United’s owners have prioritized youth development, sustainability, and smart spending. The Rooney signing in 2018 was one of their biggest marquee moves, helping re-establish the brand internationally.

Trivia: For a brief period, NBA star Magic Johnson was rumored to be exploring investment in D.C. United during the late 2000s, though no deal ever materialized.

Watch D.C. United

For most of their history, D.C. United played at the cavernous RFK Stadium, one of the most famous sports venues in the United States. Opened in 1961, RFK hosted everything from NFL games to World Cup matches, but it became synonymous with D.C. United’s glory years. Fans still recall the bouncing stands that shook whenever Barra Brava or Screaming Eagles supporters jumped in unison.

While RFK was aging and often half-empty, it was also magical. It hosted MLS Cup finals, U.S. national team games, and international friendlies against giants like Real Madrid and Chelsea. For decades, RFK was the beating heart of American soccer culture.

In 2018, United finally moved into Audi Field, a purpose-built soccer stadium with a capacity of around 20,000. Located in Buzzard Point along the Anacostia River, Audi Field represents a modern home designed specifically for the club. It features safe-standing sections, premium suites, and excellent sightlines, making it a true soccer cathedral compared to the aging RFK.

Supporter culture remains central. The Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles, two of the oldest supporters’ groups in MLS, bring South American-inspired energy with drums, flags, and chants. Their presence has helped maintain D.C.’s reputation as one of the league’s most passionate fan bases.

Trivia: RFK Stadium’s bouncy lower deck wasn’t intentional—it was the result of old engineering design. But fans turned it into an advantage, creating a unique atmosphere no other MLS team could replicate.

D.C. United: This Season

In the 2025 MLS season, D.C. United are in a transitional phase under head coach Troy Lesesne, who replaced Wayne Rooney in late 2023. Lesesne has emphasized a balanced tactical approach, combining the physicality of MLS veterans with the energy of young academy products.

The squad features Belgian international Christian Benteke, who has quickly become one of the league’s most reliable goal scorers. His size, aerial ability, and surprising technical skill make him the focal point of United’s attack. Around him, the team is blending young homegrowns like Ted Ku-DiPietro and Matai Akinmboni with experienced players such as Pedro Santos and Mateusz Klich.

Defensively, United remain a work in progress. Injuries and inconsistency plagued them in 2024, but the hope is that a more stable backline, led by Donovan Pines, can improve their fortunes. The midfield is anchored by Klich, a Polish international with Premier League experience, providing creativity and stability.

The club’s goals this season are modest but realistic: qualify for the playoffs, build consistency, and develop its youth players into future stars. With Audi Field offering a strong home atmosphere, United have the potential to surprise opponents.

Trivia: Benteke made headlines in 2023 when he scored from behind the halfway line against Atlanta United - one of the most spectacular goals in MLS history.

D.C. United: What to Follow

For fans, the most pressing question is: Can D.C. United return to glory? Once the face of MLS, the club now measures success in playoff appearances rather than championships. The long-term vision will hinge on several key factors:

- Youth Development: United’s academy has produced talents like Bill Hamid and Andy Najar. Can they continue to develop future U.S. internationals?

- Stability in Leadership: After years of coaching changes, will Troy Lesesne be the manager to oversee a true rebuild?

- Investment from Ownership: Competing with mega-spenders like LAFC and Inter Miami requires deeper financial commitment. Will Levien and Kaplan rise to the challenge?

- Fan Identity: Supporter culture remains one of D.C.’s strongest assets. Maintaining that connection while attracting a new generation of fans is crucial.

- Legacy Pressure: Being MLS’s first dynasty is both a blessing and a burden. United are constantly measured against their past—every season is judged not just by present results, but by echoes of the 1990s.

Trivia: D.C. United were the first MLS team to host Real Madrid in a friendly (2006), drawing over 45,000 fans to Seattle’s Qwest Field for the occasion.