As I sat on my perch inside RFK Stadium last night, preparing to witness the fifteenth home opener in D.C. United's history with 20,664 of my closest friends, my thoughts didn't wander to how new center back Juan Manuel Pena would perform, or how large the ovation would be for Salvadoran newcomer Cristian Castillo or even to what the bass levels were on Wale's amps on the Armory Mall as reverberations of his pre-game set echoed through the stadium's corridors. No, I thought about the pitch; more specifically, how a winter college football bowl, yet again, made RFK's pitch look downright terrible.
United Drop Home Opener To New England, 2-0
Draw Helps United Clinch Supporters' Shield
D.C. United played out a relatively dull and featureless 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night, but the real celebrations would come on Sunday night. The Colorado Rapids scored in the final minutes to pull out an upset over Chivas USA, 2-1, making D.C. United the first team to ever successfully defend the Supporters’ Shield. It probably wasn’t the stylish way United will have wanted to take the regular season crown, but with...
United Emerge Victorious
Sunday afternoon D.C. United went toe-to-toe with the New England Revolution in a battle for supremacy of the Eastern Conference, and arguably the entire MLS. The match did not disappoint. It was a competitive affair in which each side took turns playing from behind before United dealt the knockout blow and cruised to victory. By most standards, it was a fantastic match. Flash forward to last night. D.C. United is facing a Real Salt...
United Tame Red Bulls As Moreno Triumphs
Move over, Jason Kreis. In the forty-eighth minute of the twentieth game in the twelfth season of Major League Soccer, D.C. United's Jaime Moreno became the league's all-time leading scorer with a deftly taken penalty kick. Moreno's 109th career goal put the cap on a solid 3-1 victory over Red Bull New York. On an uncharacteristically brisk August evening at RFK Stadium, United surprised the Red Bulls and never looked back. The 18,748 in...
Becks Scores, United Falls
D.C. United fans have gotten their share of David Beckham firsts, and after last night’s exit from the SuperLiga – almost single-handedly due to Beckham’s right foot – we’ve had our fill. After playing his first MLS game in a 1-0 D.C. win last Thursday at a sold-out RFK, he started his first match for the Galaxy last night in the SuperLiga semifinals against visiting D.C. Then he proceeded to register his first goal and...
United Falter Late, Draw With Dallas
D.C. United's wide open style of play came back to bite them on Saturday when they gave up three goals in the second half. In doing so they snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, earning themselves a 3-3 tie on an otherwise lovely night at RFK. After scoring early in the first half and adding another goal just before the halftime whistle, United looked fully in control after another score by Luciano...
United Host K.C. in Home Opener
D.C. United hope to pick up their first win of the season when they square off against the Kansas City Wizards tomorrow night at RFK. United started off their season with a loss in Colorado last weekend and after several weeks on the road are eager to return to the friendly confines of their home field. United comes into MLS play with high expectations, bringing back last year's MVP, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Defender...
Victory Eludes United in CONCACAF Semifinal
In front of a hostile crowd at Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, D.C. United achieved a dream start in the 36th minute. Unfortunately for United, the MLS drought on Mexican soil was not to be extinguished as Chivas drew even before the half and eventual netted the game winner in the second half, earning a trip to the CONCACAF Champion's Cup Finals on 3-2 aggregate. From early on in the first half, United played more aggressively...
Emilio Levels United at the Death
In a game that could only be described as a battle, D.C. United and CD Guadalajara fought to a 1-1 draw last night at RFK, thanks to a Luciano Emilio goal in the 91st minute. In front of a raucus 26,528 (last year's largest crowd was 24,150), the majority of which were Chivas supporters, the two teams clawed, pushed, and hacked their way through the inclement conditions (rain, 44 degrees). The game featured various...
United Host Chivas in Cup Semifinal
United's got a big one lined up tonight. Waiting at their doorstep is CD Guadalajara, better known as Chivas. One of the most storied clubs in the Mexican soccer, Chivas have 11 league titles under their belts, currently a record. They also have the distinction of only using Mexican players throughout their history.
United Take First Step in Playoffs
Coming off of a string of bad play, bad breaks, and bad feelings, D.C. United buckled down and won their second game in their last nine tries Saturday, beating New York Red Bull 1-0 at the Meadowlands. United fought through a tightly contested game, made good on one of their few chances, and held on to their lead to take the advantage in the home-and-home series. United scored in the 77th minute when Christian...
United Can't Overcome Early Deficit, Lose To Fire
D.C. United's defense let them down once again on Sunday as the Chicago Fire sprinted to a 2-0 lead in the first half and held on for a 3-2 win in front of 18,652 fans at RFK Stadium. United has now lost three in a row and have but one victory in their last seven matches, not the kind of playoff tune-up coach Peter Nowak wanted. As bad as it was, it could have...
D.C. United Stand Tall
Last night, DC United and Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid played their way to a 1-1 draw. Arguably the most successful soccer club in the world, Real Madrid boasts a roster filled to the brim with world-class stars. But for all the mystique surrounding Madrid and its galácticos, United did not seem star-struck. Playing a spirited, competative, and technically sound brand of soccer, they stood up to Madrid and took home a result. Though the...
United Bow Out of US Open Cup
DC United let one get away last night, losing to FC Dallas 4-1 on penalties in US Open Cup play at the soccer complex in Germantown, Maryland. United had hoped to advance to the Open Cup semifinals for the third time in five years, and appeared to be in control, up 1-0 in the final minute as Freddy Adu sliced deep into the Dallas defense and laid a pass off to an open Brian Carroll...

