D.C. United 2018 media guide

2018·6.6 MB·English

by  D.C. United

MEDIA GUIDE
2018
AUDI FIELD
INAUGURAL SEASON
2018 D.C. UNITED MEDIA GUIDE
CONTENTS
STADIUM CLUB HISTORY (1996-2017)
Audi Field by the Numbers 3 Regular Season Results by Season 83
Jersey History 6 2016 Statistics 84
Trophy Case 8 2016 Standings 85
RFK in Review 10 2016 MLS Awards 86
A First Time for Everything 12 2016 MLS Postseason Results 86
2016 Game-by-Game Lineups 88
THE CLUB 2015 Season 90
2014 Season 94
Overview 15
2013 Season 98
Front Office / Staff 20
2012 Season 102
Ownership Bios 24
2011 Season 106
Executive Bios 25
2010 Season 110
2009 Season 114
THE TEAM
2008 Season 118
Technical Staff 27 2007 Season 122
Academy Staff Bios 30 2006 Season 126
2018 Alphabetical Roster 34 2005 Season 130
2018 Numerical Roster 36 2004 Season 134
Player Bios & Stats 38 2003 Season 138
2002 Season 142
2018 SEASON 2001 Season 146
2018 Notes 65 2000 Season 150
1999 Season 154
2017 SEASON 1998 Season 158
1997 Season 162
2017 Notes 67
1996 Season 166
2017 Statistics 72
2017 Standings 73
CLUB RECORDS & STATISTICS
2017 MLS Awards 74
2017 MLS Postseason Results 74 All-Time Cup, Tournament, Friendlies Results 171
2017 Game-by-Game Lineups 76 All-Time Postseason Results 175
All-Time Regular Season Results 176
All-Time Results by Opponent 187
MLS Award Winners 212
MLS All-Stars 213
All-Time Player Register 214
All-Time Roster 234
Individual High Statistics 238
Individual Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Statistics 240
Individual International Competitions Statistics 246
Team High & Low Statistics 251
CONTENTS All-Time Player Transactions 253
2018 Schedule 262
Notes 264
All statistics correct to All stats correct to March 2, 2018. © 2018 MLS. Major League Soccer properties
used by permission. All rights reserved.
2018 – Elias Sports Bureau. Visit dcunited.com for most up-to-date information.
Credits — Editors: Lindsay Simpson, Sam Legg
Art Direction & Layout: Ben Mahler
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AUDI FIELD BY THE NUMBERS
July 14, 2018 Approximately 780’
$500
v. Vancouver 190
Whitecaps million Distance to
Bike Valet Spaces Anacostia River
Open Date
Cost to Build
1.3
GOLD
miles Bermuda
Distance to
National Mall Grass Type LEED Certification
1 4 17
3,306
115 x 75
ft2
Year Months Days
Yards
Construction Time
Video Board Playing Field
22 437,938
8’
ft2
Total Stadium Square Footage
Feet Above Sea Level
5,500 15,200
Field Elevation Distance to field
Tons Cubic Yards
Total Structural Steel Total Concrete
20,000
STADIUM
35º Total Seating Capacity
550
1,500
West
30º 334
Club Seats
East 31
LED
Angle of
Stadium Seating Suites Field Level Seats Sports Lights
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JERSEY HISTORY
While there have been plenty of kit variations for and other teams soon followed suit. Since then,
the Black-and-Red since 1996, the jerseys’ core the designs have changed and the stars above the
elements have remained clean, sharp, and at the crest have accumulated, but United’s sharp, direct
forefront of MLS designs since the club’s inception. aesthetics have stayed at the forefront of the club’s
jersey designs.
From the 1996 black shirt with three white
horizontal stripes across the chest, to the famous United will don their new gray and black,
“Cat in the Hat” blue jersey with red and white horizontally striped primary jerseys during their
striped sleeves, United have worn some of the inaugural season at Audi Field. With silver numbers
most iconic jerseys in the league over the past 22 and lettering, Audi Field’s coordinates on the neck,
seasons. In MLS’ early years, while other clubs and a D.C. boundary stone jock tag, the 2018 jersey
were focused on producing a counterculture image honors the club’s history while welcoming the new
through bold, flashy designs, the Black-and-Red set era at Audi Field. 2005 2006 2007 2008
the bar for a classic yet easily identifiable kit,
1996 1997 1998 2009 2010 2011
1999 2000 2001 2012 2013 2014
2002 2003 2004 2015 2016 2017 2018
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TROPHY CASE
1998 CONCACAF 2004 MLS CUP CHAMPIONS
CHAMPIONS’ CUP CHAMPIONS
D.C. United 3–2 Kansas City Wizards | 11/11/04
D.C. United 1–0 CD Toluca | 8/16/98
D.C. United won their fourth Major League Soccer
D.C. United defeated Mexican champion CD Toluca championship in nine seasons with a wildly
1-0 at RFK Stadium to take home the CONCACAF entertaining 3-2 victory against the Kansas City
Champions’ Cup. The lone goal of the game came Wizards at the Home Depot Center in Carson,
off the sole of Eddie Pope’s cleat in the 41st minute California. Alecko Eskandarian scored in the 19th
to lead United in their first international tournament and 23rd minutes, a Kansas City own goal provided
triumph. The win also marked the first time that a third and United earned their first MLS Cup since
an American club team had won a continental 1999.
championship.
2006 MLS SUPPORTERS’
1998 INTERAMERICAN CUP SHIELD WINNERS
CHAMPIONS
D.C. United, the most decorated club in American They are also one of only two teams to ever MLS regular season points champion | 55 pts
soccer, have won 13 trophies over the past 22 win a CONCACAF regional tournament, D.C. United 0–1 CR Vasco de Gama, 11/14/98
seasons. defeating Club Toluca in the 1998 Champions’ D.C. United 2–0 CR Vasco de Gama, 11/5/98
Cup, the predecessor to the CONCACAF W 2–1 on aggregate
2007 MLS SUPPORTERS’
The Black-and-Red have won the joint-most Champions League. United also won the Copa
Supporters’ Shields with four, have won the MLS Interamericana the same year, beating Brazilian In one of the greatest triumphs in the history of SHIELD WINNERS
Cup four times and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open side Vasco da Gama. They are the only MLS team U.S. soccer, United posted a continental double MLS regular season points champion | 55 pts
Cup three times. to ever win an intercontinental tournament. and earned the right to the title of “Champions of
the Americas” with a victory in the Interamerican
Cup. Facing South American Champion CR Vasco
2008 LAMAR HUNT
de Gama of Brazil, United lost the home leg 1-0 on
U.S. OPEN CUP CHAMPIONS
November 14 at RFK Stadium before 26,213 fans.
In the away leg, played at Lockhart Stadium in Fort D.C. United 2–1 Charleston Battery | 9/3/08
1996 MLS CUP CHAMPIONS Rhinos 3-0 at RFK Stadium to win the Lamar Hunt Lauderdale, Fla., Tony Sanneh’s first-half goal drew
U.S. Open Cup. Raúl Díaz Arce, Eddie Pope, and the teams level on aggregate before Eddie Pope’s D.C. United won their second Lamar Hunt U.S.
D.C. United 3–2 L.A. Galaxy | 10/20/96
Jaime Moreno all scored to help United secure goal in the 77th minute gave United the Open Cup by defeating the USL’s Charleston
The first MLS Cup final was held at Foxboro the win, giving the Black-and-Red the first-ever historic victory. Battery 2-1 at RFK Stadium. Luciano Emilio opened
Stadium outside of Boston in pouring rain and “double” in U.S. soccer history. up the scoreboard in the 4th minute before Fred
with steady winds. D.C. United came back from a 1997 MLS SUPPORTERS’ scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute and
two-goal deficit to seal a 3-2 victory over the Los SHIELD WINNERS 1999 MLS SUPPORTERS’ help United secure the win, giving the Black-and-
Angeles Galaxy. Tony Sanneh was first to score for SHIELD WINNERS Red their first U.S. Open Cup since 1996.
United and then Shawn Medved followed his lead, MLS regular season points champion | 55 pts
equalizing the game in the 82nd minute of play. The MLS regular season points champion | 57 pts
match entered the golden goal overtime period and The MLS Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the 2013 LAMAR HUNT
Eddie Pope drove a header from the near post past team with the most points at the end of the regular U.S. OPEN CUP CHAMPIONS
Jorge Campos to give United the honor of being season.
the first club to raise the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy. 1999 MLS CUP CHAMPIONS D.C. United 1–0 Real Salt Lake | 10/1/13
1997 MLS CUP CHAMPIONS D.C. United 2–0 L.A. Galaxy | 11/21/99 D.C. United won the 100th edition of the Lamar
Hunt U.S. Open Cup on October 1 with a 1-0
1996 LAMAR HUNT D.C. United 2–1 Colorado Rapids | 10/26/97 Jamie Moreno and Ben Olsen each found the back victory–courtesy of a Lewis Neal goal–over Real
of the net in the first half of play to lead D.C. United
U.S. OPEN CUP CHAMPIONS Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT.
Jaime Moreno and Tony Sanneh each notched to a 2-0 victory over L.A. Galaxy at Foxboro. United
With the win, United claimed their third Lamar
D.C. United 3–0 Rochester Rhinos | 10/30/96 a goal to earn United a 2-1 victory over the defended in depth after the first 45 minutes, not
Hunt U.S. Open Cup (1996, 2008, 2013) and added
Colorado Rapids, leading the team to their second allowing the Galaxy a single shot on goal, while
Ten days after their MLS Cup triumph, D.C. United consecutive MLS Cup. A dedicated home crowd of nearly notching additional goals with a number of to the club’s record-setting trophy haul.
collected their second trophy of MLS’ inaugural 57,421 packed RFK Stadium to cheer on the Black- quality counter attack chances. The win gave United
year by defeating the USL’s Rochester Raging and-Red amidst the pouring rain. their third MLS Cup in four seasons.
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RFK IN REVIEW
United played the first-ever Major League Soccer champions and the first team to win an MLS Cup
match at RFK Stadium on April 20, 1996, at what on home soil. The Black-and-Red also hosted the
could be considered the United State’s first home CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, CONCACAF Giants’
for soccer. Over the next 22 seasons, the Black- Cup, Interamerican Cup, and three U.S. Open Cup
and-Red built a storied history within the stadium, championships at RFK.
becoming MLS’ most-decorated franchise while
playing 347 regular season matches, 25 playoff After 22 seasons, United ended their tenure at their
games and winning four trophies at RFK. original home on Oct. 22, 2017 with #LastCallatRFK
and Legends Weekend. United icons—including
The stadium served as the backdrop to many of Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, John Harkes and
the club’s biggest accomplishments between 1996 Hristo Stoichkov—reunited at the historic stadium
and 2017. In 1996, United captured their first U.S. for the final time in a Legends Match to celebrate
Open Cup at RFK and completed the first American the club’s rich history. D.C. United then played their
“double” by winning MLS Cup and the U.S. Open last MLS regular season game against the New
Cup in the same year. The next season, United York Red Bulls.
became the first team to repeat as MLS Cup
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A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
The 1996 season yielded a variety of firsts for D.C. United at RFK Stadium. The venue served as a
22-year home for Black-and-Red fans who witnessed legendary players compete on the RFK Stadium
field. You watched as United icons like Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry and Jeff Agoos completed
team and individual “firsts” at RFK Stadium. Who will do it at Audi Field?
First goal Raúl Díaz Arce (7’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles Galaxy on 4/20/1996) First goal
First goal by an opponent Mauricio Cienfuegos (21’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First goal by an opponent
First assist Shawn Medved & Richie Williams (7’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First assist
First assist by an opponent Jose Vasquez (72’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First assist by an opponent
First win 3-1 win against Dallas Burn on 5/01/1996 First win
First loss 2-1 loss against Los Angeles Galaxy on 4/20/1996 First loss
First tie 0-0 tie against Kansas City Wizards on 6/10/2000 First tie
First yellow card Steve Rammel (39’ in 3-1 win against Dallas Burn on 5/01/1996) First yellow card
First yellow card by an opp. Dan Calichman (37’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles Galaxy on 4/20/1996) First yellow card by an opp.
First red card Jeff Agoos (43’ in 2-2 [shootout win] with the Tampa Bay Mutiny on 7/29/1998) First red card
First red card by an opponent Tab Ramos (77’ in 1-1 [loss in shootout] against NY/NJ MetroStars on 5/12/1996) First red card by an opponent
First save Jeff Causey (25’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First save
First save by an opponent Jorge Campos (35’ 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First save by an opponent
First penalty kick goal Raúl Díaz Arce (15’ in 3-1 win against Dallas Burn on 5/01/1996) First penalty kick goal
First pen. kick goal by an opp. Mauricio Cienfuegos (21’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First pen. kick goal by an opp.
First penalty kick save Jeff Causey (84’ in 2-1 win against NY/NJ MetroStars on 5/30/1996) First penalty kick save
First shutout win 1-0 win against the Tampa Bay Mutiny on 7/12/1996 First shutout win
First shutout for an opponent 4-0 loss against the Los Angeles Galaxy on 3/25/2000 First shutout for an opponent
First substitution [IN] Brian Kimler [OUT] Mario Gori (46’ in 2-1 loss against Los Angeles on 4/20/1996) First substitution
First substitution by an opp. [IN] Jose Vasquez [OUT] Harut Karapetyan (50’ in 2-1 loss against LA on 4/20/1996) First substitution by an opp.
First playoff win 1-0 win against the NY/NJ MetroStars on 9/27/1996 First playoff win
First playoff loss 2-0 loss against the Chicago Fire on 11/01/2003 First playoff loss
First playoff tie win 3-3 tie against the New England Revolution on 11/06/2004 First playoff tie win
First playoff goal Jaime Moreno (72’ in 1-0 win against the NY/NJ MetroStars on 9/27/1996) First playoff goal
First playoff goal by an opp. Antony De Avila (86’ in 2-1 win against the NY/NJ MetroStars on 10/02/1996) First playoff goal by an opp.
First playoff assist Marco Etcheverry (72’ in 1-0 win against the NY/NJ MetroStars on 9/27/1996) First playoff assist
First playoff assist by an opp. Roberto Donadoni (86’ in 2-1 win against the NY/NJ MetroStars on 10/02/1996) First playoff assist by an opp.
THE CLUB 15
CLUB HISTORY
1996 / 16-16-0
MLS CUP CHAMPIONS, U.S. OPEN CUP CHAMPIONS
The club’s inaugural season in 1996 proved to be a fruitful one for the Black-and-Red. After a slow start in
league play, United found the right balance and went into the postseason as the team to beat. They proved
to be just that, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in overtime via a golden goal header by defender
Eddie Pope to capture the first MLS Cup title on Oct. 20. One trophy was not enough for the Black-and-
Red that fall, as three days later, United shut out the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the A-League (now the
USL First Division) 3-0 to win the U.S. Open Cup, the country’s oldest soccer tournament. The Black-and-
Red became the first club to capture America’s version of the “double.”
1997 / 21-11-0
MLS CUP CHAMPIONS, SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD WINNERS
The team’s second season was another banner year for United, as the team rolled through the regular
season with a league-best record of 21-11. D.C. went a perfect 5-0 in the MLS Cup Playoffs, which
culminated in a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in MLS Cup ‘97 in front of a record—and boisterous—
home crowd of 57,431 at RFK Stadium.
MLS Defender of the Year: Eddie Pope
MLS Coach of the Year: Bruce Arena
MLS Goal of the Year: Marco Etcheverry
MLS Top Goalscorer: Jaime Moreno
1998 / 24-8-0
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS’ CUP WINNERS, INTERAMERICAN CUP WINNERS
United failed to capture domestic honors for the first time in their short history, losing to the Chicago Fire
2-0 in MLS Cup ‘98. Though United would be disappointed on the home front, their previous success gave
them the opportunity to seek honors on a larger stage. After reaching the semifinals of the CONCACAF
Champions’ Cup in 1997, the Black-and-Red made it one step further to the finals in 1998, where they
faced Mexican ‘supercampeon’ Toluca. A dramatic 1-0 victory at RFK Stadium not only gave the Black-
and-Red their first international trophy, but also the chance for a second by earning a berth to the 1998
InterAmerican Cup. Legendary Brazilian side Vasco da Gama was South America’s representative, and
they proved formidable, winning the first leg of the championship at RFK Stadium by a 1-0 score. However,
United shocked the Brazilian team, and much of the soccer world, by winning the away leg at Lockhart
Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale by a 2-1 margin. Thanks to a pair of road goals, United won the fixture and came
away with the InterAmerican Cup trophy and the title “Champion of the Americas.” That contest proved
to be a fitting farewell for head coach Bruce Arena, who left the District of Columbia to conquer further
international battles as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
MLS Most Valuable Player: Marco Etcheverry
MLS Rookie of the Year: Ben Olsen.
1999 / 23-9-0
MLS CUP CHAMPIONS, SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD WINNERS
THE CLUB The 1999 season featured a new coach, as former Tampa Bay Mutiny and New England Revolution Head
Coach Thomas Rongen took over on the United sideline. The club produced the same successful results
their supporters now demanded, as the squad earned a second Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best
regular season record (23-9) and once again represented the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup. Just as
in 1996, MLS Cup ‘99 featured the Black-and-Red and the Galaxy in Foxborough, but this time dramatics
were not necessary as a pair of first-half goals gave United a 2-0 victory and their third Alan I. Rothenberg
Trophy in four seasons.
MLS Top Goalscorer (three-way tie)- Roy Lassiter
MLS Goal of the Year: Marco Etcheverry
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2000 / 8-18-6 2005 / 16-10-6
For the first time in club history, United failed to qualify for postseason competition or capture any sort of In 2005, after a mediocre start to the season, United rebounded and finished second in the Eastern
silverware. The team managed a record of just 2-9-1 to start the season and never recovered from their Conference with a record of 16-10-6. The 16 wins were the most since 1999, when the team won 23 games.
early struggles, finishing last in the Eastern Division. The team’s midseason 3-1 win over Newcastle United Jaime Moreno again led the Black-and-Red offensively, tallying 16 goals – tied for his career best. The team
at RFK Stadium was one of the positives in a difficult campaign. Another bright spot during the 2000 also played in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, Copa Nissan Sudamericana and an international friendly
campaign was the debut of 16-year-old midfielder Bobby Convey, who at the time of his first game—March against the reigning English Premier League Champion, Chelsea FC. The club’s MLS season ended with a
25 against the Los Angeles Galaxy—was the youngest player to play in an MLS game. disappointing loss in the first round of MLS Cup Playoffs to the Chicago Fire.

2001 / 8-16-2 2006 / 15-7-10
SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD WINNERS
United supporters suffered another difficult year as the club finished last in the Eastern Division and missed
the playoffs for the second consecutive season. For the second year in a row, United had a player debut as D.C. United reasserted themselves as the best team in Major League Soccer in 2006, bringing home their
the youngest in league history when Santino Quaranta came on as a substitute against the New England third Supporters’ Shield trophy with a 15-7-10 record. United started off the season in spectacular form
Revolution on May 9. The 16-year-old also became the youngest player to be named as a Player of the Week – going unbeaten from May 1 to July 29 – for a team-best 14 straight matches. Christian Gómez led the
and an MLS All-Star. league’s most potent offense, chalking up 12 goals and 11 assists on his way to the MLS MVP award. Other

highlights for the year included a 4-0 victory over Scotland’s Celtic FC and an impressive 1-1 draw against
2002 / 9-14-5 the famed Real Madrid of Spain. The club’s MLS season ended with a 1-0 loss in the Eastern Conference
championship to the visiting New England Revolution.
After two disappointing seasons, United named former Miami Fusion skipper Ray Hudson as the club’s third MLS Most Valuable Player: Christian Gómez
head coach on Jan. 8. Hudson and his new club’s push for the postseason lasted until the final match of the MLS Defender of the Year: Bobby Boswell
schedule, but the Black-and-Red missed out on the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third straight season. 2002 did MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: Troy Perkins
have some bright spots, however, with a trio of club and league firsts. Domestically, United hosted the 2002
MLS All-Star Game at RFK Stadium for the first time and also won the inaugural Atlantic Cup trophy in their 2007 / 16-7-7
yearly season series with New York. Internationally, the Black-and-Red became the first MLS side to travel
SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD WINNERS
to England when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in a tribute match at the famed White Hart Lane in
October.
Tom Soehn became the fifth head coach in United history after Peter Nowak left to become an assistant
coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Soehn, who had served as an assistant under Nowak since
2003 / 10-11-9
2004, got off to a slow start, beginning the season 0-3. The Black-and-Red, however, rebounded and for
the second consecutive season had the most potent attack in MLS. United won their fourth Supporters’
Following a third unsuccessful campaign, the club used the time before the start of the 2003 season to
Shield, becoming the first team in league history to win the award in back-to-back years. The addition of
make drastic changes to the squad. U.S. National Team star Earnie Stewart was allocated to the club,
Brazilians Luciano Emilio and Fred, along with veterans Jaime Moreno, Christian Gómez and Ben Olsen
bringing the veteran home from Holland, where he enjoyed unparalleled success for an American expatriate.
helped the team score 56 regular season goals. In August, Moreno scored his 109th career regular season
Richie Williams, Eddie Pope and Jaime Moreno all headed north to join the New York MetroStars, while
goal, breaking the MLS record. He finished the season with 112 career goals. The campaign also featured
defender Mike Petke made the reverse journey to join the Black-and-Red. Former Indiana University
the club’s participation in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, the inaugural SuperLiga and Copa Nissan
standout and MLS All-Star Dema Kovalenko was also brought in to shake things up in the midfield, while
Sudamericana.
his Fire teammate and Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoitchkov was added as a player/coach. Though United
MLS Top Goalscorer: Luciano Emilio
struggled early in the season to pick up points, the off-season moves did pay off, as the club posted a
MLS Most Valuable Player: Luciano Emilio
regular season record of 10-11-9, sending the club back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since
MLS Newcomer of the Year: Luciano Emilio
winning the Cup in 1999. However, United fell to the Chicago Fire in the first round of the postseason,

ending a run for the team’s fourth MLS Cup.
2008 / 11-15-4
MLS Humanitarian of the Year: Ben Olsen
LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP CHAMPIONS
2004 / 11-10-9
Though United added their 12th major piece of silverware to the trophy case, the campaign was largely a
MLS CUP CHAMPIONS
disappointment as D.C. missed out on the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2002. After a terrible
2-7 start in league play, the team found their groove through the middle part of the year, going 8-3-1 from
The beginning of 2004 was an exciting time for the Black-and-Red, as head coach Peter Nowak and teen
May 4 until Aug. 23. Unfortunately, injuries decimated Tom Soehn’s side and the team’s record down the
phenom Freddy Adu both joined the club in January. Nowak became the fourth coach in team history, while
stretch was a dismal 1-5-3. Being forced to play the most games in club history – an astonishing 47 fixtures,
Freddy was the first overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft. Jaime Moreno returned to D.C. following a
complicated matters. The team fell short in international competitions as well, failing to capture hardware in
one-year stint with the New York MetroStars. After a 5-5-5 start during the first part of the MLS regular
the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, SuperLiga and CONCACAF Champions League. The lone bright spot was
season, United began to buy into Coach Nowak’s hardworking, aggressive and team-oriented strategy
the team’s second Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship, which was captured after a 2-1 win over the
and finished the regular season with an 11-10-9 record. In the final game of the regular season, the team
Charleston Battery of United Soccer League’s First Division.
registered a thrilling 3-2 victory over the MetroStars that vaulted them past New York and into second
place in the Eastern Conference standings. United carried their hot streak into the playoffs, eliminating the
MetroStars in the first round and the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference championship on
the way to their fifth MLS Cup championship game. In the MLS Cup final, United defeated the Kansas City
Wizards 3-2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. to raise the club’s fourth MLS Cup.