D.C. United
D.C. United is a professional soccer club in Washington, D.C., competing in MLS at Audi Field. An original member of the league in 1996, it won MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004.
Contents22 sections
Key facts
October 17, 1995Name and identity unveiled
The club unveiled its D.C. United name, crest and uniforms on October 17, 1995. The name drew on soccer traditions and the intention to bring different communities together.[1]
April 20, 1996First home match
D.C. United played its first MLS home match at RFK Stadium on April 20, 1996, losing 2–1 to LA GalaxyLA GalaxyLA Galaxy are a Major League Soccer club that began playing in 1996 and won their sixth MLS Cup in 2024. Their home is in Carson, California.Open the full entry. Raúl Díaz Arce scored the club’s first goal in the seventh minute.[2]
October 20, 1996Inaugural MLS Cup and a double
On October 20, 1996, D.C. United recovered from two goals down against LA Galaxy in the inaugural MLS Cup final in Foxborough, then won through Eddie Pope’s golden goal in extra time. The club also won that year’s U.S. Open Cup.[3]
1997MLS Cup retained
D.C. United retained MLS Cup in 1997 and also won the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record.[3]
1998Two international titles
The club won the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and Copa Interamericana in 1998.[4]
1999Third MLS Cup
D.C. United won MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield again in 1999, completing three MLS Cup victories in the league’s first four seasons.[3]
February 15, 2001AEG takes over
Initially held by Washington Soccer, L.P., the club’s operating rights were acquired by AEG on February 15, 2001.[5]
2004Fourth MLS Cup title
D.C. United won its fourth MLS Cup in 2004.[6]
2006Third Supporters’ Shield
D.C. United won its third Supporters’ Shield in 2006.[4]
2007Another Supporters’ Shield
The club again finished with the best regular-season record in 2007, winning the Supporters’ Shield in consecutive seasons.[4]
January 2007D.C. United Holdings buys operating rights
2008Second U.S. Open Cup
D.C. United won its second U.S. Open Cup in 2008.[6]
May 21, 2009Will Chang takes sole control
Victor MacFarlane announced the sale of his interest to Will Chang on May 21, 2009, giving Chang sole control of the club.[4]
July 10, 2012Thohir and Levien join
Erick Thohir and Jason Levien joined Will Chang as co-owners of the club’s operating rights on July 10, 2012, becoming managing partners.[7]
2013Third U.S. Open Cup title
D.C. United won the U.S. Open Cup for a third time in 2013.[6]
December 10, 2015New crest unveiled
The club unveiled a crest for the 2016 season on December 10, 2015. Its first redesign since 1997 retained the eagle and incorporated stars and stripes from the District of Columbia flag.[8]
October 10, 2016Chang family interest acquired
On October 10, 2016, the club announced that Thohir and Levien had finalized an agreement to buy the William Chang family’s remaining interest.[6]
July 14, 2018Audi Field opens
D.C. United beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in its first match at Audi Field on July 14, 2018. Yamil Asad scored the stadium’s first goal, Paul Arriola scored twice and Wayne Rooney made his MLS debut as a substitute.[9]
August 7, 2018Ownership consolidated
On August 7, 2018, the club announced that an entity controlled by Jason Levien had acquired Erick Thohir’s interest. Stephen Kaplan joined the ownership group as co-chairman alongside Levien.[10]
July 16, 2025René Weiler appointed
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
D.C. United: Official website: https://www.dcunited.com/ (opens in a new window).[13]
Sources
- TBT: Happy Birthday DCU! | DC United (opens in a new window)
- Celebrating the first MLS match at RFK | DC United (opens in a new window)
- Birth of a dynasty | The story of the 1996 MLS Cup final | DC United (opens in a new window)
- Victor MacFarlane to sell interest in D.C. United (opens in a new window)
- MacFarlane leads group in purchase of Major League Soccer's D.C. United (opens in a new window)
- Thohir and Levien Purchase Remaining Club Shares (opens in a new window)
- Erick Thohir and Jason Levien Purchase Ownership Stake in D.C. United (opens in a new window)
- DC United unveil updated team logo for only the second time in club history | MLSSoccer.com (opens in a new window)
- Top 10 moments of Audi Field inaugural season | DC United (opens in a new window)
- D.C. United Announce Consolidation of Ownership (opens in a new window)
- D.C. United Agrees to Appoint René Weiler as Head Coach | DC United (opens in a new window)
- Technical Staff | D.C. United (opens in a new window)
- D.C. United (opens in a new window)