In good times and in bad, D.C. United supporters remain some of the best fans in Major League Soccer and some of the most ardent partisans in the District. This year, their loyalty was rewarded with one of their team’s strongest campaigns in years, as the Black and Red bounced back from a mostly dismal 2013 to finish first in MLS’ Eastern Conference, reclaiming a place at the forefront of American club soccer.

As United gained momentum and piled up wins on the way to an 14-2-4 home record in all competitions, attendance and enthusiasm swelled in the stands, making for some truly electric atmospheres at the “venerable” RFK Stadium. When the sting of a disappointing playoff elimination by the archival New York Red Bulls fades, this season will ultimately be fondly remembered, and the fervent spirit of the fan base was a big part of what made it memorable.

Here, we revisit some of our favorite crowd shots from this year’s games.

D.C. United fans, we salute you. See you next year!