D.C. United

{{main|History of D.C. United}}

Before the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the United States Soccer Federation fulfilled its promise to FIFA by aiding in the foundation of a new professional league, which would become Major League Soccer (MLS).{{Cite web |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=May 31, 2014 |title=World Cup in 1994 gave U.S. soccer the kick in the pants it needed |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-world-cup-mls-20140601-story.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} On June 15, 1994, MLS selected Washington, D.C. out of twenty-two applicants to host one of the league's first seven franchises, with three more added before the league's launch.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |title=General Overview |year=2009 |website=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625214719/http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |archive-date=June 25, 2008 |access-date=June 26, 2009}}

The team's name was chosen as a reflection of the names of European clubs, such as Manchester United or Leeds United, as well as being the capital of the United States.{{Cite news |last=Yates |first=Clinton |date=June 30, 2015 |title=D.C. United almost had a different name |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/07/30/d-c-united-almost-had-a-different-name/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last=West |first=Phil |date=April 5, 2020 |title=How DC United and the San Jose Clash got their names and original look |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/how-dc-united-and-san-jose-clash-got-their-names-and-original-look |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=MLSSoccer.com}}

The team's colors and original logo, along with those of the other ten original teams, were announced in October 1995, during a presentation in New York City.{{cite web |year=2009 |title=General Overview |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |url-status=dead |work=Major League Soccer |access-date=June 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625214719/http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |archive-date=June 25, 2008}} Black and white were announced D.C. United's primary colors, and red was announced as the club's secondary color.

The club's first season was in 1996.{{Cite web |last=Litterer |first=Dave |date=May 30, 2008 |title=The Year in American Soccer, 1996 |url=https://soccerhistoryusa.org/ASHA/year/1996.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=American Soccer History Archives}} Ahead of the season, United hired Bruce Arena,{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=December 6, 1995 |title=D.C. United Will Play in First MLS Match |pages=D1 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/12/06/dc-united-will-play-in-first-mls-match/4bcb4da1-8bb7-40c8-9207-a44f6913c1bd/ |access-date=July 15, 2022}} who had led the University of Virginia men's soccer program to five NCAA College Cup titles,{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Rhett |title=Bruce Arena: Built Three United States Soccer Dynasties |url=https://historyofsoccer.info/bruce-arena |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=History of Soccer|date=June 10, 2022 }} to be the head coach of the club.{{Cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |date=March 23, 1998 |title=Amazingly Graceless Honest-to-a-fault Coach Bruce Arena Has D.c. United Poised to Win Another Mls Title |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/03/23/amazingly-graceless-honest-to-a-fault-coach-bruce-arena-has-dc-united-poised-to-win-another-mls-title |access-date=July 13, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Under Arena, the club quickly established itself as one of the flagship franchises in MLS,{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=February 13, 2011 |title=For MLS what are the dynasties? |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/2011/2/13/1991513/for-mls-what-are-the-dynasties |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Sounder At Heart |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2020 |title=Moreno, Etcheverry, Harkes headline the D.C. United All-Time Best XI – SBI Soccer |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2020/04/moreno-etcheverry-harkes-headline-the-d-c-united-all-time-best-xi |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=sbisoccer.com |language=en-US}} winning two MLS Cup (league championship) titles, a U.S. Open Cup (domestic cup) title, a Supporters' Shield (regular season winner), a CONCACAF Champions' Cup (continental championship), and a Copa Interamericana (intercontinental championship) all within the club's first two seasons.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=October 24, 1998 |title=United Follows Its Leader |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/10/24/united-follows-its-leader/7d54642b-cc72-4a46-ad8b-2b8f94b5aa68/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} During this late 1990's dynasty, the club was led by its "magic triangle" of Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, and Raul Diaz Arce.{{Cite web |last=Sunderland |first=Lowell E. |title=D.C. United returns home after losing two on road 'Magic Triangle' is back in time for busy stretch |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-07-25-1997206089-story.html |access-date=April 11, 2021 |website=baltimoresun.com|date=July 25, 1997 }} Additionally, the club had several U.S. international stars at the time including Eddie Pope,{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2020 |title=The full story of the former DC United star Eddie Pope's game-winning goal in the 1996 MLS Cup |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/full-story-former-dc-united-star-eddie-popes-game-winning-goal-1996-mls-cup |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=MLSSoccer.com}} John Harkes, and Jeff Agoos.{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2009 |title=Former D.C. United star Jeff Agoos elected to Hall of Fame |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/former-dc-united-star-jeff-agoos-elected-hall-fame |access-date=July 16, 2022 |newspaper=Dcunited}} United's inaugural match was played on April 6, 1996, against the then-called San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes) at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, which also was the first match to ever be played in MLS history.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jack |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Golden Goal: Eric Wynalda for San Jose Clash v DC United (1996) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/06/eric-wynalda-san-jose-clash-dc-united-golden-goal |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=The Guardian}} United would lose the match to the Clash, 0–1 off a late match-winner by Eric Wynalda. However, the season was hallmarked by the Arena leading the team to the first domestic double in modern U.S. soccer history by beating the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first MLS Cup and the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the USL First Division in the 1996 U.S. Open Cup.{{Cite web |date=October 30, 1996 |title=U.S. Open Cup Final: D.C. United 3 Rochester 0 |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/16465/us-open-cup-final-dc-united-3-rochester-0.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Soccer America}}{{Cite web |last= |title=The legend of the Rochester Raging Rhinos, last underdog to win US Open Cup {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/legend-rochester-raging-rhinos-last-underdog-win-us-open-cup-word |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=MLSSoccer.com |language=en}} The club's early success continued into 1997, repeating as MLS Cup champions,{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=October 27, 1997 |title=D.C. United Defeats Rapids, 2–1, Wins Second Title |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/dcunited/longterm/1997/mlscup/launch/mls27.htm |access-date=July 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} and winning their first Supporters' Shield, becoming the first club in MLS history to achieve the "league double" by winning both the regular season championship and league championship.

In 1998 the club won the Eastern Conference regular season and postseason championship, but finished runners-up for the Supporters' Shield, and lost to Chicago Fire in MLS Cup 1998. Despite not winning any domestic titles, the club managed to win the CONCACAF Champions' Cup (now known as the CONCACAF Champions League),{{Cite web |last= |title=D.C. United's CONCACAF History {{!}} DC United |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/dc-uniteds-concacaf-history |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=dcunited.com |language=en}} defeating Mexican side, Toluca, in the final thanks to a Pope goal, as well as winning the now-defunct Copa Interamericana{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2016 |title=DC United And The Last Copa Interamericana |url=https://www.whatahowler.com/blog-201612dc-united-and-the-last-copa-interamericana-html/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Howler Magazine |language=en-US}} (a two-legged aggregate series between the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL club champions).{{Cite web |title=History & Tradition |url=http://www.dcunited.com/club |access-date=July 12, 2011 |website=D.C. United}} D.C. United became the first American club to win a CONCACAF club championship, and the only American club to have won the Copa Interamericana. As of 2022, only two other American clubs have won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup or Champions League (LA Galaxy in 2000 and Seattle Sounders in 2022).

In October 1998, Arena left D.C. United to accept the head coaching role for the United States men's national soccer team, following their poor performance in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Dutch manager, Thomas Rongen, who had previously coached the New England Revolution was hired to coach United for the 1999 season. With the squad, largely constructed by Arena, United achieved a domestic double, winning MLS Cup 1999 (their third MLS Cup title) against their cross-country rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy, a rematch of MLS Cup 1996, and winning their second Supporters' Shield title (off of 57 points). Striker Roy Lassiter led United with 18 goals during the season earning joint Golden Boot honors. United did not fare as well in the 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, losing in the semifinals to eventual champions, Necaxa.

File:Clyde Simms cropped.jpg]]

Ultimately, Arena's departure marked the beginning of a downturn in the team's fortunes.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2008 |title=America's one and only United |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/news/newsid=887744.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028134441/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/news/newsid%3D887744.html |archive-date=October 28, 2008 |access-date=September 6, 2009 |publisher=FIFA}} After reaching MLS Cup for the club's first four seasons, the 2000 season saw the club lose nine of their first twelve matches. United ultimately finished in 11th out of 12 teams in MLS during the 2000 season, missing the 2000 MLS Cup Playoffs altogether, for the first time in franchise history. Outside of MLS play, the club suffered early exits in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, losing in the semifinals to eventual champions, the LA Galaxy, and being knocked out in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup by eventual finalists, Miami Fusion.

During the 2001 season, United played in the CONCACAF Giants Cup which was held in March 2001, prior to the start of the MLS regular season. United reached the finals of the Giants Cup, beating Jamaican club, Arnett Gardens, and Guatemalan club, Comunicaciones in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before losing to Mexican club, América, in the final. During the 2001 MLS regular season United once again, finished in last place in the Eastern Conference and 11 points outside of the playoff picture. Although the offense led by Abdul Thompson Conteh, and Jamie Moreno contributed to 42 goals on the season, the porous United defense let in 50 goals the second worst in the East.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} The season however, was truncated by three weeks due to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Following the 2001 season, club management decided to fire Rongen, and replace him with English manager Ray Hudson, who had just coached the Miami Fusion to a Supporters' Shield title.

Hudson signed a two-season contract with United and began the 2002 season participating in the 2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, due to their performance in the previous years' Giants Cup. United suffered their worst loss in CONCACAF play, losing by a four-goal margin to Comunicaciones, a club they had beat the previous year in the Giants Cup. United won the return leg, but by too little of a margin to advance. Their fortunes during the regular season did not fare better than the previous two seasons, where United ultimately finished last in the MLS regular season overall table, their first Wooden Spoon finish in franchise history, and their worst season until 2010. United scored only 31 goals during the season, last in MLS, where Ali Curtis and Bobby Convey were joint top scorers with the club, with only five goals each. However, the season showed signs of promising young talent with then-17 year old, Santino Quaranta, having a breakout season with United, and Nick Rimando, who became the club's first-choice goalkeeper for the next five years.

Ahead of the 2003 season, United received the first overall draft pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, where they selected University of Virginia standout, Alecko Eskandarian. Additionally, United brought in MLS veterans, Dema Kovalenko and Hristo Stoichkov, from Chicago Fire. After a slow start to the season taking eight matches to win, United gained momentum during the latter half of the season, going 8–5–5 to close out the season. The form allowed United to qualify for the playoffs as the final seed, giving United their first playoff berth since 1999. Despite the berth, United was blanked by Shield winners Chicago Fire 4–0 on aggregate. At the conclusion of the season, despite signs of promise, Hudson was released by D.C. United and Polish manager, Piotr Nowak, replaced him before the start of the 2004 season.{{Cite web |year=2007 |title=D.C. United Tradition |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/t103/load.jsp?section=about&content=tradition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119175015/http://web.mlsnet.com/t103/load.jsp?section=about&content=tradition |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |website=Major League Soccer}}

The club's first season under Nowak was marred by injuries in the early going, and some players were known to have complained about Nowak's methods.{{Cite news |last=Wise |first=Mike |date=November 13, 2004 |title=Nowak Creates A United State |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46503-2004Nov12.html |access-date=July 20, 2011}} During Nowak's tenue, United selected Freddy Adu, a 14-year-old soccer prodigy, in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. When Adu entered United's regular-season opener as a second-half substitute on April 3, 2004, he became the youngest player in any professional sport in the United States since 1887.{{Cite news |last=Slater |first=Matt |date=November 22, 2006 |title=Doubts raised in US over Adu move |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6169400.stm |access-date=July 20, 2011}} That season, Adu, along with the likes of Christian Gómez, Moreno, and Brian Carroll, helped to propel United into the playoffs as the second seed in the East. There they advanced past the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Final on penalty kicks in what has been called one of the best games in MLS history.{{Cite news |last=Dure |first=Beau |date=November 11, 2004 |title=Harkes keeps both feet in the soccer world |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2004-11-11-asked-harkes_x.htm |access-date=June 19, 2007}}{{Cite news |last=Dell'Apa |first=Frank |date=July 26, 2005 |title=10 of the best... MLS games |publisher=ESPN |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=337632&root=extratime&&cc=5901 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525193831/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=337632&root=extratime&&cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=November 3, 2006 |title=Revolution Ready to Take Another Shot |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/02/AR2006110201524.html |access-date=June 19, 2007}}{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2006 |title=D.C. United & Comcast SportsNet to launch 'Brunch with D.C. United' |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060125&content_id=51051&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=dcu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014172906/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060125&content_id=51051&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=dcu |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |website=Major League Soccer}}{{Cite web |last=Lifton |first=David |date=May 11, 2005 |title=Looking back: Unforgettable in every way |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20050511&content_id=29379&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=dcu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407082306/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20050511&content_id=29379&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=dcu |archive-date=April 7, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |website=Major League Soccer}} United then defeated the Kansas City Wizards to win MLS Cup 2004, their fourth, and as of 2022, their most recent MLS Cup title.

Image:DC United post-game victory celebration (RFK Memorial Stadium, 06-11-2004).jpg

Following their 2004 MLS Cup triumph, the club spent the next four seasons as one of the top clubs in MLS. In 2005, the club again made MLS history by becoming the first United States–based team to participate in Copa Sudamericana, entering in the Round of sixteen.{{Cite news |date=September 23, 2005 |title=United Ousted From Copa Sudamericana |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/22/AR2005092202000_pf.html |access-date=July 20, 2011}} In 2006, the MLS All-Star Team, which included eight United players, was managed by United's manager Piotr Nowak, defeated English champions Chelsea. In 2006 United won their third consecutive Supporters' Shield title.

Nowak left United as head coach to become an assistant under Bob Bradley with the United States men's national soccer team. Nowak was replaced by his assistant Tom Soehn, who coached the club starting in 2007. The 2007 squad, largely built by Nowak, had a historically successful regular season in MLS. Led by the likes of Luciano Emilio, Fred, Ben Olsen, and Christian Gómez, United finished the regular season atop the MLS table, winning the Supporters' Shield for a then-MLS record fourth time, and for the second consecutive season. Finishing the season with 55 points in 30 games, United set a club record in points per game (1.8), and lead the league in total goals (56). It was the first time in MLS history a franchise won the Shield in consecutive seasons. Outside of MLS play during the 2007 season, the club participated in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, reaching the semifinals; the Copa Sudamericana, being eliminated in the opening round; the North American SuperLiga, reaching the quarterfinals; and the U.S. Open Cup, being eliminated in the third round. In September 2007, Dave Kasper was promoted from the club's Technical Director to the team's General Manager,{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2007 |title=D.C. United names Dave Kasper General Manager |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/d-c-united-names-dave-kasper-general-manager/n-3542318 |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Our Sports Central}} which as of 2022, is a position he still holds.

Following the 2007 season, the club failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for five consecutive seasons. During this stretch, United's lone major title came in 2008, when they won the U.S. Open Cup. In league play during the 2008 and 2009 campaigns, United faltered at the tail-end of each season, ultimately causing them to miss out on the playoffs. Following the end of the 2009 campaign, Soehn resigned as head coach of United, thus ending the Soehn era with two major titles in three seasons. To date, Soehn is the most recent manager at United to win two or more major titles during their tenure as head coach.

File:Andy Najar.jpg (pictured), was one of the first Homegrown Players in D.C. United history. Najar won the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award.]]

Following Soehn's replacement, the organization hired Curt Onalfo as the head coach.{{Cite web |last=Garlacep |first=Ives |date=January 5, 2010 |title=Onalfo introduced as D.C. United head coach |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2010/01/onalfo-formally-introduced-as-dc-united-head-coach |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=SBI Soccer}} United had approached then University of Akron men's soccer head coach, Caleb Porter, but Porter rejected their offer.{{Cite web |last=Garlacep |first=Ives |date=August 4, 2010 |title=D.C. United fires Onalfo, Olsen named interim coach |url=https://sbisoccer.com/2010/08/dc-united-fires-onalfo-olsen-named-interim-coach |website=SBI Soccer}} Recently retired club midfielder, Ben Olsen, joined Onalfo's staff as an assistant coach, along with Kris Kelderman, who served as an assistant to Onfalo at Kansas City. Additionally, Soehn's assistant coaches of Chad Ashton and Mark Simpson remained on Onalfo's coaching staff for the 2010 season. Ahead of the season the club saw the departures of Luciano Emilio and Fred, two key contributors to the club during the late 2000s. The club, marred by injuries, and poor tactics, had a historically poor start to the 2010 MLS season, having a record of 3–12–3 in the clubs first 16 matches.

In August 2010, United fired Onalfo and named Ben Olsen as the club's interim manager for the remainder of the 2010 season. The club would finish the season out with a 3–8–1 record, finishing with a historically poor 6–20–4 record, the worst in MLS during the 2010 season. During the 2010 season, the highlights of the season included the rise of two homegrown signings, Bill Hamid, who took over as starting goalkeeper to Troy Perkins during the season, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper throughout the 2010s, along with Andy Najar, who won the MLS Rookie of the Year Award (now Young Player of the Year),{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2010 |title=D.C. United's Andy Najar Wins MLS Rookie Of The Year Award |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/11/03/2197005/dc-uniteds-andy-najar-wins-mls-rookie-of-the-year-award |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Goal |publisher=DAZN Group}} becoming the first homegrown player to win the honor.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=November 3, 2010 |title=D.C. United's Andy Najar is MLS Rookie of the Year |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/11/mls_rookie_of_the_year_and_top.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103235643/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/11/mls_rookie_of_the_year_and_top.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Following the end of the 2010 season, long-time United striker Jamie Moreno retired from professional soccer.{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2010 |title=D.C. United's Jaime Moreno on Retirement: "It's Heartbreaking" |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/local/dc-uniteds-jamie-moreno-on-retirement-its-heartbreaking/1854716/ |website=WRC-TV |publisher=NBC Sports Washington}}

Olsen would ultimately assume full-time managerial duties ahead of the 2011 season, where he kept Ashton on the coaching staff, but dismissed Kelderman from his staff. Olsen brought in recently retired goalkeeper and former Canadian international, Pat Onstad, on to his coaching staff, along with former Dutch international, Sonny Silooy. Throughout Olsen's tenure, he employed a defensive style of play, followed by a diamond 4–4–2 formation focused on counter-attacking soccer. Pundits{{who|date=May 2023}} described the play as "Bennyball", and a soccer-style form of moneyball. During Olsen's coaching career, he would qualify for the playoffs six times, with the furthest being the Eastern Conference final, and win one major title, the U.S. Open Cup in 2013. The club qualified for the CONCACF Champions League twice during his tenure, where they reached the quarterfinals each time.

During Olsen's first full season in charge the club acquired Perry Kitchen in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, U.S. international Charlie Davies on loan,{{Cite web |last1=Shatzer |first1=Martin |last2=Prada |first2=Mark |date=February 1, 2011 |title=Charlie Davies Loan To D.C. United Finalized, Former U.S. Rising Star To Join Team |url=https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/2/1/1967871/charlie-davies-dc-united-loan-sochanux |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=SB Nation}} and Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario. Additionally, 2010 Designated Player acquisition, Branko Bošković, became healthy for the season. The club experienced a turnaround in contrast to 2010, but ultimately a four-match losing streak and a six-match winless streak to close out the regular season cost the club a chance at the MLS Cup Playoffs. Despite not making the playoffs, De Rosario won the MLS Most Valuable Player Award (now known as the Landon Donovan MVP Award). During the 2011–12 offseason, minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, Jason Levien and Erick Thohir were named new majority owners, buying Will Chang's majority stake in the club. Chang, however, remained part of the ownership group as a minority owner. The goal of Levien and Thohir was to construct a soccer-specific stadium for United.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=July 10, 2012 |title=D.C. United's new co-owners Erick Thohir, Jason Levien should boost quest for stadium |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dc-uniteds-new-co-owners-erick-thohir-jason-levien-should-boost-quest-for-stadium/2012/07/10/gJQAGLrhbW_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

On the field during the 2012 season, United's fortunes fared much better, with new acquisitions Nick DeLeon, Lewis Neal, Maicon Santos, and Hamdi Salihi having immediate contributions to the club. United ultimately finish the 2012 season with a third-place finish, their best since 2007, and a second-place finish in the East, again their best since 2007. The club defeated their rivals, New York Red Bulls in the Conference Semifinals, before advancing to the MLS Eastern Conference final, their first Conference Final since 2005,{{Cite web |last=Shatzer |first=Martin |date=October 21, 2012 |title=D.C. United 3–2 Columbus Crew: Late Winner Clinches Return To MLS Playoffs |url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/2012/10/21/3534322/dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-mls-playoffs-lewis-neal-branko-boskovic-hamdi-salihi |access-date=October 21, 2012 |website=BlackAndRedUnited.com |publisher=SB Nation – Black and Red United}} against Houston Dynamo. United lost the series 2–4 on aggregate ending their season.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=November 18, 2012 |title=D.C. United ousted from MLS playoffs by Houston Dynamo |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dc-united-ousted-from-mls-playoffs-by-houston-dynamo/2012/11/18/332ccb16-31d6-11e2-92f0-496af208bf23_story.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

During Olsen's third season in charge, the new club ownership constrained the teams budget, in part to finance a future soccer-specific stadium.{{Cite web |last=Crosland |first=Harry |date=July 29, 2013 |title=What A New Stadium Deal Would Mean for DC United Fans |url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/07/29/what-a-new-stadium-deal-would-mean-for-dc-united-fans/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=World Soccer Talk}} Consequently, the club relied on several reserve players, second-division players, and Academy players to form the core of the team, as well as releasing several key contributors from the 2012 team, in order to stay within budget. As a result, D.C. United tallied a total of only three wins in the 2013 season, setting a record for fewest wins in league history.MLSsoccer.com, DC United's Dwayne De Rosario: "A lot of things definitely need to change" next year, October 27, 2013, http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/10/27/dc-uniteds-dwayne-de-rosario-lot-things-definitely-need-change-next-year {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106182819/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/10/27/dc-uniteds-dwayne-de-rosario-lot-things-definitely-need-change-next-year |date=November 6, 2013 }} Despite the team's poor showing in league play, D.C. United defeated Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup final thanks to a late first half goal from Lewis Neal. As of 2022, this is the club's most recent major honor.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=October 3, 2013 |title=Stats, scores and schedules |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dc-united-1-real-salt-lake-0-united-captures-us-open-cup/2013/10/01/9260f3c6-2b06-11e3-97a3-ff2758228523_story.html}} Despite this season, Olsen was retained as head coach, in part, due in part to the fact the club won the Open Cup. The Open Cup title gave United a berth into the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League, their first Champions League appearance since 2009.

In 2014, D.C. United executed a historic turnaround by clinching first place in the Eastern Conference, and going undefeated in CONCACAF Champions League group play, the first time an American club went undefeated in Group Stage of the Champions League. The Eastern Conference regular season title earned the team its second consecutive Champions League berth.{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |title=D.C. United finishes first in Eastern Conf., completes historic turnaround |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/10/18/dc-united-captures-eastern-conference-mls-historic-turnaround |access-date=January 6, 2016 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Despite this, the club was eliminated by their rivals, New York Red Bulls, in the Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Notable offseason acquisitions included Steve Birnbaum, Chris Rolfe, Fabian Espindola, Sean Franklin, and Bobby Boswell. At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Olsen won the MLS Coach of the Year Award (now known as the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award). For the turnaround, management extended Olsen's contract with United.{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2014 |title=United coach Ben Olsen gets contract extension |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2014/09/22/united-coach-ben-olsen-gets-contract-extension/16075113/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=USA Today}}

File:Wayne_Rooney_(50121721532).jpg (pictured), led the team in scoring during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.]]

During the latter half of Olsen's tenure, Olsen saw the club qualify for the playoffs in four of his final six seasons,{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2015 |title=D.C. United clinches berth in Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs |url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2015/10/02/dc-united-clinches-berth-audi-2015-mls-cup-playoffs |access-date=April 1, 2020 |website=D.C. United}} although the club never went further past the Conference Semifinals in the playoffs. During this time, the club revealed a new crest in 2016, and opened their new soccer-specific, Audi Field, in 2018. Off the field, Chang and Thohir sold their ownership stake to Levien in 2016 and 2018, respectively. In the late 2010s the club signed several notable players such as Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, and Paul Arriola. During the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, United saw themselves have an early group stage exit during the MLS is Back tournament,{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2020 |title=DC United dropped from MLS is Back Tournament in 1–0 loss to Montreal |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/sports/dc-united-dropped-from-mls-is-back-tournament-in-1-0-loss-to-montreal |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=WTTG}} coupled with a poor run of play during the fall 2020 segment of the season.

In October 2020, club management relieved Ben Olsen of his coaching duties, after a club-record 10 seasons as the head coach of the team. Olsen became the third-longest tenured head coach for an MLS team in league history, and by far, the longest tenured head coach in United history. While some members of the media felt that the dismissal was necessary, some individuals in the media felt that as long as Kasper was General Manager and Levien owned the franchise that little would change.{{Cite web |last=Quillen |first=Ian Nicholas |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Firing Ben Olsen Alone Won't Solve D.C. United's Problems |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2020/09/28/firing-ben-olsen-alone-wont-solve-dc-uniteds-problems/?sh=49c95bd15bb9 |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Forbes}} Following the dismissal, it was reported that Olsen may stay with the United organization in a different role.{{Cite web |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Ben Olsen out as D.C. United coach, may stay with team in different role |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/dc-united/story/4204768/ben-olsen-out-as-dc-united-coach-may-stay-with-team-in-different-role |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=ESPN}} Ultimately, in September 2021, Olsen was hired as the Club President for the Washington Spirit, the National Women's Soccer League franchise in the Washington metropolitan area,{{Cite news |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Washington Spirit Name Ben Olsen as Club President |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2021/09/02/washington-spirit-name-ben-olsen-as-club-president/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Washington Spirit|last1=Small |first1=Jordan }} which he held until May 2022.{{Cite web |last=Kassouf |first=Jeff |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Ben Olsen out as Washington Spirit president |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/quick-update/ben-olsen-out-as-washington-spirit-president/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Equalizer Soccer}}

During the 2021 season, United hired Argentine manager, Hernán Losada, who had previously coached Belgian outfit, Beerschot. The decision came after the ownership decided to not hire Chris Armas as head coach. The media found the hire a unique and ambitious hire.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=April 17, 2021 |title=What will a new coach mean for D.C. United? It might take some time to find out. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/04/17/dc-united-new-coach-hernan-losada-season-start/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} As head coach, Losada moved the team away from a counter-attacking defensive style, and focused more on a high-octane, attacking style, where Losada prioritized fitness and speed, putting intense pressure on the opponents defense. Losada only managed the club for the entirety of the 2021 season, where on the final day of the season, they finished just outside of the playoff spot. Despite this, Losada remained in charge of United for the first two months of the 2022 campaign. However, due to disagreements between the front office and Losada in coaching philosophy,{{Cite web |last1=Maurer |first1=Pablo |last2=Stejskal |first2=Sam |last3=Tenorio |first3=Paul |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Why D.C. United fired Hernán Losada: 'It was about the whole package' |url=https://theathletic.com/3263913/2022/04/21/dc-united-hernan-losada-fired/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=The Athletic |language=en}} as well as a poor string of league results,{{Cite web |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=April 20, 2022 |title=D.C. United fires manager Hernan Losada after four-straight MLS defeats |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/dc-united/story/4647039/dc-united-fires-manager-hernan-losada-after-four-straight-mls-defeats |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=ESPN}} Losada was fired in April 2022 after coaching the club for about 14 months.

Several United players later spoke publicly about Losada's poor communication with players, and strict dietary regulations,{{Cite web |last=Vertelney |first=Seth |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Ex-D.C. United goalkeeper Chris Seitz told a sad and strange Hernán Losada story |url=https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2022/05/10/d-c-united-goalkeeper-chris-seitz-hernan-losada/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=USA Today}} which had caused tension between the players and Losada's coaching staff. Management felt that Losada was too critical of the front office, particularly of Dave Kasper and Jason Levien, and that the relationship between coaching staff and the front office staff had been strained. During this time off the field, Mario Mims and Mark Ingram II joined D.C. United Holdings as minority owners.

Losada's firing sparked anger from some of D.C. United's fans, who felt the dismissal was too premature. Following Losada's sacking, long-time assistant coach Chad Ashton took over on interim duties until July 2022, when the club hired former player and former English international player Wayne Rooney to coach the club.{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2022 |title='An exciting challenge': Wayne Rooney introduced as DC United manager – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2022/jul/13/wayne-rooney-introduced-as-dc-united-manager-video |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last= |date=July 12, 2022 |title=D.C. United Name Wayne Rooney as Head Coach {{!}} DC United |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-name-wayne-rooney-as-head-coach |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=dcunited |language=en}} The 2022 season ended in United finishing at the bottom of the MLS overall table, resulting in General Manager, Lucy Rushton, being relieved of her duties.{{cite news |last1=Goff |first1=Steven |title=D.C. United fires general manager Lucy Rushton |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/10/19/lucy-rushton-fired-dc-united/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 19, 2022 |date=October 19, 2022}} During the 2023 season, United's record improved, finishing with 40 points on the season, up from 27 the previous season. However, the improvement was not enough to qualify for the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, resulting in Rooney's dismissal.{{cite web |title=D.C. United and Head Coach Wayne Rooney Have Mutually Agreed to Part Ways. |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-and-head-coach-wayne-rooney-have-mutually-agreed-to-part-ways |website=dcunited.com |access-date=October 8, 2023 |date=October 7, 2023}}

On November 20, 2023, United named Ally Mackay as their new GM and Chief of soccer operations. Shortly after, on January 10, 2024, it was announced that Troy Lesesne had signed a three-year contract to serve as the club's head coach.{{Cite web |last=dcunited |title=D.C. United Name Troy Lesesne as Head Coach {{!}} DC United |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-name-troy-lesesne-as-head-coach |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=dcunited |language=en}} In his first season, United finished the season with 40 points once again, missing out on playoffs by goal differential.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=Decision Day ends in disappointment for D.C. United with a 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC |url=https://thedistrictpress.com/2024/10/20/decision-day-ends-in-disappointment-for-d-c-united-with-a-3-0-loss-to-charlotte-fc/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=The District Press |language=en-US}} The lone highlight from the season being Benteke's 23 goal haul on the season, earning the D.C. United captain the 2024 MLS Golden Boot.{{Cite web |last=mlssoccer |title=DC United's Christian Benteke wins 2024 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/dc-united-s-christian-benteke-wins-2024-mls-golden-boot-presented-by-audi |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}

The team's colors and original logo were announced on October 17, 1995, along with those of the other ten original teams during a presentation in New York City. Black and white are D.C. United's primary colors, though the team's nickname is the "Black-and-Red." Red is used to accent the home jersey, while white is the main color of the team's road uniform. The three stripes along the shoulder – in white at home and black on the road – do not represent the three jurisdictions of the Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia); rather, they represent the fact that the team's uniforms are made by Adidas. In 2011, the team introduced a predominantly red third uniform with black accents to be worn four or more times in the season.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steve |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2011/01/dc_uniteds_third_jersey.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010162518/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2011/01/dc_uniteds_third_jersey.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |title=D.C. United introduces a third jersey |date=January 29, 2011 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 8, 2011}} The team has also previously used white road uniforms with red stripes; white and red are the colors of the flag of Washington, D.C., and the stripes are also reminiscent of those used on the flag.

The team's original shield was implemented in 1996, consisting of the team's name, D.C. United, above a black bald eagle facing right on a red field, clawing three soccer balls overlaid on three white stars. The three stars and balls were intended to represent the region's three jurisdictions. The bird, associated with the federal government based in Washington, D.C., symbolizes many of the attributes of the team, including speed and power. The logo was redesigned before the 1998 season. This second logo design reoriented the eagle facing left and removed the three stars below it, whose metaphor was retained by three raised wing feathers. At the center of the eagle is a single gold-colored star and a soccer ball, which represents the team's victory in Major League Soccer's inaugural cup in 1996.{{Cite web |url=http://www.footballcrests.com/clubs/dc-united-sc |title=D.C. United S.C. |last=Hicks |first=Doug |website=FootballCrests.com |access-date=June 6, 2009}} The logo can also be adorned with four silver stars above it, representing the MLS Cups the team has won.

On December 10, 2015, D.C. United unveiled an updated logo designed by Peter Horridge, featuring a D.C. flag-inspired design across the eagle, an updated wordmark, and more dynamic wings.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/10/dc-united-unveil-updated-team-logo-only-second-time-club-history |title=DC United unveil updated team logo for only the second time in club history |date=December 10, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=December 11, 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/12/10/d-c-united-unveils-a-new-logo/ |title=D.C. United unveils a new logo |date=December 10, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 11, 2015}}

Consulting firm Guidehouse was announced as the jersey sponsor in a multi-year partnership on February 15, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportico.com/business/sponsorship/2024/dc-united-jersey-sponsorship-guidehouse-1234766721/ | title=D.C. United Signs Front-of-Jersey Sponsorship with Guidehouse | date=February 15, 2024 }}

{{Main|Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium}}

File:US v Germany at RFK - panoramio (1).jpg was the first home to D.C. United]]

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK) was home to D.C. United, from the club's inaugural season in 1996, until the end of the 2017 season. The D.C. United Training Complex is located north of the stadium, and is where the Reserve Division team plays.{{Cite web |url=http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/t103/camps/academy/directions/ |title=D.C. United Academy Camps: Directions |year=2009 |website=D.C. United |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705062241/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/t103/camps/academy/directions/ |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009}}

RFK was built in 1961 as a dual-use stadium for baseball and American football. Before 1996, it occasionally hosted soccer matches, including the 1980 Soccer Bowl, the 1993 Supercoppa Italiana, and five matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. When the Washington Nationals baseball team shared the field from 2005 to 2007, there were criticisms about the playing surface and the field's dimensions.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16346-2005Apr26.html |title=MLS Officials: United Played on Irregular Field |date=April 26, 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 27, 2009}}

{{Main|Audi Field}}

File:Audi_Field_June_25th.jpg in 2018]]

Audi Field is a soccer-specific stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest, Washington, D.C., and has a capacity of 20,000. It hosted its first game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 14, 2018.{{Cite news |last=Giambalvo |first=Emily |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dc-united-debuts-audi-field-and-wayne-rooney-in-a-convincing-win-over-vancouver/2018/07/14/a1b843b6-86f9-11e8-8553-a3ce89036c78_story.html |title=D.C. United debuts Audi Field, and Wayne Rooney, in a convincing win over Vancouver |date=July 14, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 14, 2018}} The stadium's naming rights are owned by Audi, who signed a 12-year contract in February 2017.Goff, Steven. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/02/15/d-c-uniteds-deal-with-audi-for-stadium-naming-rights-is-one-of-the-largest-in-mls/?postshare=9641487164860044&tid=ss_tw D.C. United strikes deal with Audi for stadium naming rights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203123411/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/02/15/d-c-uniteds-deal-with-audi-for-stadium-naming-rights-is-one-of-the-largest-in-mls/?postshare=9641487164860044&tid=ss_tw |date=February 3, 2018 }}". The Washington Post. February 15, 2017. It was designed by Populous{{Cite web |url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/stadium-news/2014/2/15/5414518/dc-united-stadium-project-buzzard-point-architect-populous |title=New D.C. United Stadium Renderings, by Architecture Firm Populous, Released |last=Bromley |first=Ben |date=February 15, 2014 |website=SB Nation |access-date=June 3, 2014}} and Marshall Moya Design.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2016/04/d-c-united-stadium-has-a-name-at-least-tentatively.html |title=D.C. United Stadium Has a Name (at Least Tentatively) |last=Hansen |first=Drew |date=April 21, 2016 |website=Washington Business Journal |access-date=June 3, 2016}}

Plans for a new stadium dated back to July 2006, when D.C. United proposed building a new stadium along the Anacostia River near Anacostia Park, but disputes with the city government forced the team to consider other sites.{{Cite news |last=Kravitz |first=Derek |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061703623.html |title=Fans Asked to Choose Where Team Should Find New Home |date=June 18, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 9, 2009}}{{Cite news |last=Nakamura |first=David |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/20/AR2007072002470_pf.html |title=Talks Fall Apart on Stadium for D.C. Soccer Team |date=July 21, 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 6, 2009}}

The tentative deal for the stadium was announced on July 25, 2013, which would see a 20,000–25,000-seat stadium built on the site, costing $300 million.{{Cite news |url=http://www.stadiadirectory.com/deal-reached-for-new-d-c-united-stadium/ |title=Deal reached for new stadium |date=July 25, 2013 |work=StadiaDirectory |access-date=July 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927074329/http://www.stadiadirectory.com/deal-reached-for-new-d-c-united-stadium/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013}}{{Cite web |url=http://oca.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/oca/page_content/attachments/Soccer%20Stadium%20Term%20Sheet%20%28executed%20copy%29.pdf |title=Term Sheet DC United Stadium Project |date=July 25, 2013 |website=District of Columbia and DC Soccer LLC |publisher=District of Columbia Office of the City Administrator |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033833/http://oca.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/oca/page_content/attachments/Soccer%20Stadium%20Term%20Sheet%20%28executed%20copy%29.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016}} It was signed into law on December 30, 2014.{{Cite news |url=http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2014/12/30/vincent-gray-to-sign-four-bills-as-last-act-in-dc-mayors-office/21040219/ |title=Mayor Gray signs bill to fund DC United soccer stadium |date=December 30, 2014 |work=WUSA 9 |access-date=March 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100035/http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2014/12/30/vincent-gray-to-sign-four-bills-as-last-act-in-dc-mayors-office/21040219/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015}} Groundbreaking began on February 27, 2017,{{Cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Alicia |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/16/dc-united-announce-stadium-groundbreaking-ceremony-february-27 |title=DC United announce stadium groundbreaking ceremony on February 27 |date=February 16, 2017 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219141721/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/16/dc-united-announce-stadium-groundbreaking-ceremony-february-27 |url-status=dead }} and the ribbon cutting was on July 9, 2018.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dc-united-ushers-in-a-new-era-with-audi-field-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/2018/07/09/c7d02376-83d8-11e8-8553-a3ce89036c78_story.html |title=D.C. United ushers in 'a new era' with Audi Field ribbon-cutting ceremony |last=Giambalvo |first=Emily |date=July 10, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 10, 2018}}

Several regional university stadiums have been used by the team for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches, including Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1996,{{Cite news |last=DeNunzio |first=Jon |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21873491.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+5%2C+1996&author=Jon+DeNunzio&desc=United+Wins+in+Arena%27s+Return+to+U-Va. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712140311/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21873491.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+5,+1996&author=Jon+DeNunzio&desc=United+Wins+in+Arena's+Return+to+U-Va. |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=United Wins in Arena's Return to U-Va. |date=September 5, 1996 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 28, 2011}} and George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia, in 2010.{{Cite news |last=Tenorio |first=Paul |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/30/AR2010063005694.html |title=U.S. Open Cup: D.C. United beats Richmond Kickers behind Jaime Moreno |date=June 30, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 28, 2011}} Similarly, the team has also used the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland, for multiple early-round games in U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions' Cup since it opened in 2001.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/24/AR2005082402359.html |title=United Loses a Shot at U.S. Open Cup |date=August 25, 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 28, 2011}}{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/20/AR2009072002548.html |title=United Has Plenty to Do Before Open Cup Semis |date=July 21, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 28, 2011}}{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/03/26/AR2005032600875.html |title=D.C. United Sees Danger in View |date=March 16, 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 28, 2011}} On April 14, 2018, D.C. United played an MLS game against Columbus Crew SC at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, while Audi Field was being constructed.{{Cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=502685 |title=D.C. United holds off Columbus Crew SC in Annapolis |date=April 15, 2018 |access-date=July 29, 2018 |publisher=ESPN FC}} Exhibition games,{{Cite news |last=McDaniel |first=Ash |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=4386191 |title=60,000-plus expected for Real Madrid-DC United |date=August 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 28, 2011 |agency=Associated Press}} as well as occasional regular season matches,{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2014/06/08/dc-united-struggle-unfamiliar-playing-surface-fedex-field-scoreless-columbus-crew |title=D.C. United struggle with unfamiliar playing surface at FedExField in scoreless Columbus Crew draw |last=Maurer |first=Pablo |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=December 20, 2015|date=June 8, 2014 }} have also been played in nearby FedExField in Landover, Maryland; the latter have generally been played as part of doubleheaders featuring friendlies between national teams or foreign clubs.

File:Joint Armed Forces Color Guard rehearsing their role for the national anthem at Audi Field in Washington D.C. on May 3, 2025 - 6.jpg

File:Dcunited-oslen-tifo.jpg supporting head coach Ben Olsen (drawn to lampoon Rambo) during a regular season match against FC Dallas|alt=Fans wearing black cheer with several large graphics in a stadium's bleachers.]]

D.C. United has six major supporters groups; La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles, District Ultras, Rose Room Collective, 202 Unique and La Banda del Distrito.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcunited.com/supporters|title=Supporters' Groups|website=D.C. United |publisher=DCUnited.com |access-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123205730/https://www.dcunited.com/supporters/}} All six groups occupy the safe standing sections together at the north end of Audi Field. La Barra Brava, Spanish for "The Brave Fans", was founded in 1995 by Latino fans in the Washington, D.C. area, mostly Bolivian immigrants in support of original United players Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno. They seek to bring a South American style to home games.{{Cite web |url=http://www.barra-brava.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26 |title=About Us |date=December 24, 2007 |website=La Barra Brava |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612121323/http://www.barra-brava.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26 |archive-date=June 12, 2008 |access-date=September 20, 2011}}

La Norte (also La Curva Norte or The Northside) was a soccer supporters' club{{Cite news |title=Our City, Our Club: D.C. United Supporters Leave Their Mark on RFK |language=en |url=https://dcist.com/story/14/03/07/our-city-our-club-dc-united-support/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |archive-date=2023-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103123635/https://dcist.com/story/14/03/07/our-city-our-club-dc-united-support/ |url-status=live }} affiliated with D.C. United from 2001 to 2016.{{Cite news |title=Major League Soccer Courts Latino Fans in the U.S. |language=en |url=https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/major-league-soccer-us-soccer-fans-world-cup-fans |access-date=2022-05-14}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LaNorteDCU |title=#LaNorte was a proud Supporter Club of D.C. United & the U.S. National Teams from 2001–2016. |access-date=2022-08-29 |publisher=Twitter.com}} The club was founded in 2001 when members of La Barra Brava left section 135 of RFK Stadium to form a new club. The club was originally situated in section 120 of RFK, as the section sat directly behind the north goal. The club takes its name from their preferred location on the north side of the stadium. La Norte were forced to change sections with the arrival of the Washington Nationals baseball franchise, and the subsequent reconfiguration of RFK's seating to accommodate a baseball diamond.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} La Norte has since merged with the District Ultras and occupied sections 127 and 128 at RFK Stadium prior to the team's move to Audi Field.{{Cite web |last=dcunited |title=March to March 9: La Norte |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/march-march-9-la-norte-0 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=dcunited |language=en}}

D.C. United's mascot is Talon, an anthropomorphic bald eagle.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcunited.com/club/talon |title=Talon |access-date=June 11, 2013 |date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514121505/http://www.dcunited.com/club/talon |url-status=dead }}

D.C. United's primary rival is the New York Red Bulls. The two teams compete annually for the Atlantic Cup, a competition instituted by the two clubs. The cup is awarded to the team that gets the most points across the teams' meetings throughout the season. D.C. United also has a rivalry with the New England Revolution.{{cite news |last1=Stubbs |first1=Roman |title=D.C. United, New England Revolution set to add another chapter to rich rivalry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dc-united-new-england-revolution-set-to-add-another-chapter-to-rivalry/2015/06/19/78e8c048-16b1-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 17, 2023 |date=June 19, 2015}} D.C. United also has a burgeoning rivalry with the Philadelphia Union as the two teams represent two cities separated by only 120 miles.{{Cite news |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2011/09/30/union-and-united-building-animosity/ |title=Union and United: Building animosity |date=October 1, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Fox News Latino}}{{Cite news |last=Zeitlin |first=Dave |url=http://www.necn.com/08/20/12/The-Inside-Doop-Union-DC-United-rivalry/landing_styleboston.html?blockID=760039&tagID=14877 |title=The Inside Doop: Union-D.C. United rivalry |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616055828/http://www.necn.com/08/20/12/The-Inside-Doop-Union-DC-United-rivalry/landing_styleboston.html?blockID=760039&tagID=14877 |archive-date=June 16, 2013}} D.C. United is also unique among MLS teams for its rivalry with the Charleston Battery of the United Soccer League, as they compete every time they face one another for the Coffee Pot Cup, a trophy established by the two sides' supporters.{{Cite news |url=http://www.charlestonbattery.com/matches_previews.asp?cid=398 |title=Battery set for Open Cup rematch with DC United |date=March 14, 2009 |work=Charleston Battery |access-date=September 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222020132/http://www.charlestonbattery.com/matches_previews.asp?cid=398 |archive-date=February 22, 2012}}

{{main|D.C. United Holdings}}

When the league was founded in 1995, billionaire investor George Soros was the primary financial backer and director of Washington Soccer L.P., the group that owned the operating rights to D.C. United.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/62439758.html?dids=62439758:62439758&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=Oct+12%2C+2000&author=Steven+Goff&desc=United%27s+Ownership+Uncertain%3B+After+Sale+Fell+Through%2C+MLS+Might+Take+Over+Operation |title=United's Ownership Uncertain; After Sale Fell Through, MLS Might Take Over Operation |date=October 12, 2000 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 20, 2011 |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210214040/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/62439758.html?dids=62439758:62439758&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&fmac=&date=Oct+12%2C+2000&author=Steven+Goff&desc=United%27s+Ownership+Uncertain%3B+After+Sale+Fell+Through%2C+MLS+Might+Take+Over+Operation |url-status=dead }} Kevin Payne, former President of Soccer USA Partners and current CEO of D.C. United, was instrumental in organizing this ownership group. By 1998 the group was looking for new investors. On February 15, 2001, it agreed to sell the team to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), founded by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, with AEG exercising its option to become the sole investor-operator on January 8, 2002. AEG, who also owned MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, ran the team until 2007.

In May 2007, United entered into an initial one-year strategic partnership with the Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro. The partnership's goal is to enhance the sporting and commercial success of the respective clubs by sharing expertise and experience and creating new opportunities for the clubs in both areas.{{Cite web |url=http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070504&content_id=92026&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 |title=D.C. United enters into strategic partnership with Brazil's Clube Atlético Mineiro |date=May 4, 2007 |website=D.C. United Media Relations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231025359/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070504&content_id=92026&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 |archive-date=December 31, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2009}}

On January 8, 2007, the operating rights to D.C. United were sold to D.C. United Holdings, a newly formed group venture that included real estate developer Victor MacFarlane, founder of MacFarlane Partners, and William H.C. Chang, chairman of Westlake International Group. Other investors included D.C. United president Kevin Payne and Blue Devil Development, headed by former Duke basketball players Brian Davis and Christian Laettner.{{Cite news |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070108&content_id=81363&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 |title=MacFarlane leads group in purchase of Major League Soccer's D.C. United |date=January 8, 2007 |work=D.C. United Media Relations |access-date=June 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202234540/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070108&content_id=81363&vkey=pr_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 |archive-date=February 2, 2008}} In April 2009, Victor MacFarlane sold his share of the team to his partner William Chang after two stadium proposals had fallen through.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090523&content_id=4901182&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp |title=Chang assumes control of DC United |access-date=September 20, 2011 }} In October 2009, Chang also bought out Davis and Laettner to control 100% of the team.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steve |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/dcu_and_usa.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908061555/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/dcu_and_usa.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=DCU Ownership, Olsen, USA Friendlies |date=October 21, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 20, 2011}} Chang is also one of the primary investors of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants. In July 2012, Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir and Washington-area sports executive Jason Levien, minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association franchise, joined Chang as partners. Thohir and Levien stated their primary goals are to make United a global brand and build a soccer-specific stadium for the club.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8134909/philadelphia-76ers-minority-owners-purchase-dc-united-mls-sources |title=Philadelphia 76ers minority owners to purchase DC United of MLS |last=Stein |first=Marc |date=July 6, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709015701/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8134909/philadelphia-76ers-minority-owners-purchase-dc-united-mls-sources |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |access-date=July 6, 2012}} In October 2016, Thohir bought out Chang's remaining 35% stake.{{cite web |last1=Goff |first1=Steven |title=Will Chang sells his share in D.C. United to majority investors |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/10/11/will-chang-sells-his-share-in-d-c-united-to-majority-investors/ |website=Washington Post |access-date=9 December 2024}} Then in August 2018, Levien bought out Thohir's stake, making him the current majority owner of the team.{{cite web |title=D.C. United announce consolidation of ownership |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/dc-united-announce-consolidation-ownership |website=DC United |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=2018-08-07}}

On June 4, 2021, NFL running back Mark Ingram II joined DC United's ownership group as an investor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nfl-running-back-mark-ingram-ii-joins-dc-united-s-ownership-group|title=NFL running back Mark Ingram II joins DC United's ownership group | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer|access-date=June 9, 2021}}

In 2021, Rapper Yo Gotti became a minority owner of D.C United.{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/dc-united/rapper-yo-gotti-among-four-new-minority-owners-dc-united | title=Rapper Yo Gotti becomes minority owner of D.C. United }} Local investor and entrepreneur Devin Talbott joined the ownership group in 2022.{{cite news |author=Drew Hansen |title=Exclusive: Enlightenment Capital's Devin Talbott buys stake in D.C. United |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2022/06/07/dc-united-devin-talbott-enlightenment-capital.html |access-date=May 14, 2023 |work=Washington Business Journal |date=June 7, 2022}} (subscription required)

Rights to D.C. United matches not covered by one of MLS national television partners (ESPN, Fox Sports, and Univision) were held by NBC Sports Washington until the end of the 2022 season. Spanish-language coverage aired on TeleXitos affiliate WZDC-DT2 (channel 44.2). Dave Johnson was the longtime the English-language commentator, and WZDC sports anchor Moises Linares was the Spanish-language commentator.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2021/04/12/dc-united-announces-partnerships-nbc-sports-washington-and-telexitos|title=D.C. United Announces Partnerships with NBC Sports Washington and TeleXitos | D.C. United|access-date=June 9, 2021}}

NBCSW also held television rights from the team's inception in 1996 through 2015, dating back to its time as Comcast SportsNet and Home Team Sports. In the previous three-year deal, which was not completed until five games into the 2013 season, it was to show a minimum of 16 matches per season.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2013/04/04/d-c-united-reaches-3-year-deal-with-comcast/?hpid=z6 |title=D.C. United reaches 3-year deal with CSN |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 4, 2013}} The team became frustrated that late-season and playoff matches were often relegated to the network's secondary CSN Plus channel or not televised at all due to scheduling conflicts with the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, leading them to conclude a new deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group for the 2016 season.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/12/18/d-c-united-matches-to-appear-on-newschannel-8-abc7/ |title=D.C. United matches to appear on NewsChannel 8, ABC7 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 20, 2015}} Sinclair's local cable channel WJLA 24/7 News served two stints as D.C. United's television partner, covering the 2016 through 2018 seasons as well as 2020.{{cite news |title=D.C. United and WJLA 24/7 News Reach Deal to Televise Matches in 2020 |url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2020/02/21/dc-united-and-wjla-247-news-reach-deal-televise-matches-2020 |publisher=D.C. United |date=February 21, 2020}}

For the 2019 season, D.C. United sold their local rights to subscription over-the-top service FloSports rather than a television broadcaster. The team signed a $12 million contract for four years, marking the first time it collected a substantial rights fee for its local games.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/dc-united-mls-streaming-flosports |title=DC United sign multi-year MLS streaming deal with FloSports |website=SportsPro |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=January 9, 2019}} The deal was controversial, as fans and the media balked at the high subscription price and criticized the team for shutting out casual fans and public viewings.{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Scott |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/03/12/flosports-offers-full-refunds-after-rough-debut-vows-win-back-dc-united-fans-trust/ |title=FloSports offers full refunds after rough debut, vows to win back D.C. United fans' trust |date=March 12, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post }} Technical issues marred early broadcasts, and FloSports promised additional soccer broadcasts and shoulder programming to justify its subscription fee that largely never materialized. D.C. United canceled the contract before the final match of the 2019 regular season, opting to stream the remaining game on its website for free.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/03/dc-united-severs-ties-with-broadcast-partner-flosports/ |title=D.C. United severs ties with streaming partner FloSports |date=October 3, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

With every MLS game available on Apple TV via their rights deal in 2023, D.C. United games will be broadcast almost exclusively on this service, with exceptions for certain national linear television broadcast partners. This marks the second time United matches will be carried on a streaming service, with the aforementioned 2019 FloSports deal.

Radio rights are held by iHeartMedia. Coverage airs on WTSD and WWDC-HD2. Spanish television audio are also available on iHeartRadio.{{cite web |title=D.C. United Announce Broadcast Agreement with iHeartMedia|url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-announce-broadcast-agreement-with-iheartmedia |website=D.C. United}} Longtime former TV play-by-play voice of D.C. United Dave Johnson serves as the English radio play-by-play voice.{{cite news| last=Goff | first=Steven | title=Dave Johnson, D.C. United's longtime TV voice, returns as radio announcer | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=February 24, 2023 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/02/24/dave-johnson-dc-united-radio-announcer/ | access-date=April 6, 2023}}

D.C. United's first radio partner was WMET (1160 AM), which picked up coverage in 2003. For the 2009 season, games moved to WTOP (1050 AM), but the station did not renew its deal and the team went the next four seasons without English-language radio. Tony Limarzi was the commentator.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/d-c-united-announces-2003-season-sponsors/n-1991929 |title=D.C. United Announces 2003 Season Sponsors |date=April 17, 2003 }}{{Cite web |url=http://dcist.com/2009/05/this_is_your_dc_united_tony_limarzi.php |title=This Is Your D.C. United: Tony Limarzi |last=Morissey |first=Aaron |date=May 17, 2009 |website=DCist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205193748/http://dcist.com/2009/05/this_is_your_dc_united_tony_limarzi.php |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2018}}

WACA (1540 AM) broadcast commentary in Spanish from the team's founding through the 2009 season.{{Cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Lauren |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/25/AR2008102502103.html |title=A Resounding Hometown Enthusiasm |date=October 26, 2008 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} In 2010, coverage moved to WDCN-LP (87.7 FM) through the end of the 2012 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dcunited.com/post/2010/01/20/dc-united-partner-la-nueva-877-fm-spanish-language-radio-broadcasts |title=D.C. United to partner with La Nueva 87.7 FM for Spanish-language radio broadcasts |date=January 20, 2010 |website=D.C. United }}

Coverage in both languages returned for the 2014 season, as D.C. United entered into a four-year deal with CBS Radio, including English commentary on WJFK-FM (106.7 FM) or WJFK (1580 AM) and Spanish on WLZL-HD2 (107.9 FM-HD2).{{Cite web |url=http://www.dcunited.com/post/2014/05/14/dc-united-cbs-washington-announce-multi-year-partnership |title=D.C. United, CBS Washington announce multi-year partnership |website=D.C. United official website |access-date=October 28, 2016|date=May 14, 2014 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2014/02/10/d-c-united-news-and-notes-35/ |title=D.C. United news and notes |last=Goff |first=Steven |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The contract with CBS Radio expired after the 2017 season.

{{for-multi|details on former players|All-time D.C. United roster|player records, including player awards|List of D.C. United records and statistics}}

{{Updated|April 27, 2025|{{Cite web |url=https://www.dcunited.com/roster |title=Roster |publisher=D.C. United |access-date=February 21, 2025}}}}

{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=E4002B}}

{{Fs player |no=1 |nat=KOR |pos=GK |name=Kim Jun-hong}}

{{Fs player |no=3 |nat=USA |pos=DF |name=Lucas Bartlett}}

{{Fs player |no=4 |nat=FIN |pos=MF |name=Matti Peltola}}

{{Fs player |no=5 |nat=CAN |pos=DF |name=Lukas MacNaughton}}

{{Fs player |no=6 |nat=CMR |pos=MF |name=Boris Enow}}

{{Fs player |no=7 |nat=BRA |pos=FW |name=João Peglow}}

{{Fs player |no=8 |nat=USA |pos=FW |name=Jared Stroud}}

{{Fs player |no=10 |nat=BRA |pos=MF |name=Gabriel Pirani}}

{{Fs player |no=11 |nat=CRC |pos=FW |name=Randall Leal}}

{{Fs player |no=12 |nat=USA |pos=DF |name=Conner Antley}}

{{Fs player |no=13 |nat=USA |pos=GK |name=Luis Barraza}}

{{Fs player |no=14 |nat=SEN |pos=FW |name=Dominique Badji}}

{{Fs player |no=15 |nat=AUS |pos=DF |name=Kye Rowles}}

{{Fs player |no=16 |nat=USA |pos=DF |name=Garrison Tubbs}}

{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=E4002B}}

{{Fs player |no=17 |nat=USA |pos=FW |name=Jacob Murrell}}

{{Fs player |no=18 |nat=USA |pos=DF |name=Derek Dodson}}

{{Fs player |no=20 |nat=BEL |pos=FW |name=Christian Benteke|other=captain}}

{{Fs player |no=22 |nat=GUA |pos=DF |name=Aaron Herrera}}

{{Fs player |no=23 |nat=USA |pos=MF |name=Brandon Servania}}

{{Fs player |no=24 |nat=USA |pos=GK |name=Jordan Farr}}

{{Fs player |no=25 |nat=USA |pos=MF |name=Jackson Hopkins}}

{{Fs player |no=27 |nat=USA |pos=FW |name=Kristian Fletcher}}

{{Fs player |no=28 |nat=AUT |pos=DF |name=David Schnegg}}

{{Fs player |no=44 |nat=CAN |pos=MF |name=Rida Zouhir}}

{{Fs player |no=48 |nat=USA |pos=MF |name=Gavin Turner}}

{{Fs player |no=77 |nat=JPN |pos=MF |name=Hosei Kijima}}

{{Fs player |no=99 |nat=MEX |pos=FW |name=Fidel Barajas|other=on loan from Guadalajara}}

{{fs end|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=E4002B}}

{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=E4002B}}

{{Fs player |no=19 |nat=USA |pos=FW |name=Hakim Karamoko|other=on loan to Loudoun United}}

{{fs end|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=E4002B}}

File:BillHamid (cropped).jpg was D.C.'s first Academy signing.]]

{{Main|D.C. United Academy}}

The D.C. United Academy is the youth and development program for D.C. United. The program consists of the affiliate (formerly reserve) team Loudoun United FC as well as the academy (U-15, U-16 and U-17) and Pre-Academy teams (U-14, U-13). The academy and Pre-Academy teams play in MLS Next.

Notable players to have graduated from the D.C United Academy include Bill Hamid, who has been called up by the U.S. national team, and Andy Najar, who has been capped for Honduras.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/02/19/d-c-united-to-launch-youth-academy-residency-program-in-maryland/ "D.C. United to launch youth academy residency program in Maryland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209212152/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/02/19/d-c-united-to-launch-youth-academy-residency-program-in-maryland/ |date=February 9, 2017 }}, The Washington Post, Steven Goff, February 19, 2015.[http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83927699/ "Orlando City eager to build strong pipeline from developmental academy to MLS level"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022064021/http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83927699/ |date=October 22, 2019 }}, Orlando Sentinel, Paul Tenorio, July 4, 2015.

{|class="wikitable"

|-

! style="background:#000; color:#fff; border:2px solid #E4002B;" scope="col" colspan="2"|Front office

|-

{{Fb cs staff |p=Chairman |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Levien}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Co-Chairman |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Stephen Kaplan}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer |s= {{flagicon|SCO}} Ally Mackay}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Assistant General manager |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Caleb Shreve}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=President of Business Operations |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Danita Johnson}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Senior Consultant |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Dave Kasper}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Director of Player Personnel |s= {{flagicon|HAI}} Clarens Cheridieu}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Chief Legal Officer |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Jessica Wright}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Chief Marketing Officer |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Lisa Franklin}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Chief Financial Officer |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Dan Franceschini}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Chief Communications Officer |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Sam Legg}}

|-

! style="background:#000; color:#fff; border:2px solid #E4002B;" scope="col" colspan="2"|Coaching staff

|-

{{Fb cs staff |p=Head coach |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Troy Lesesne}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Assistant coach |s= {{flagicon|URU}} Alex Martínez}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Assistant coach |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Zach Prince}}

{{Fb cs staff |p=Head of goalkeeping |s= {{flagicon|USA}} Cody Mizell}}

{{Fb cs footer|u=January 23, 2024 |s=[https://www.dcunited.com/club/technical D.C. United] |date=July 2019}}

{{Main|List of D.C. United head coaches}}

{{main|List of D.C. United records and statistics}}

{{see also|List of D.C. United first-round draft picks}}

{{main|List of D.C. United seasons}}

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the D.C. United. For the full season-by-season history, see List of D.C. United seasons.

{{note|1}}1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.

{{note|2}}2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.

Statistics below show the all-time regular-season club leaders. Bold indicates active D.C. United players.

File:JaimeMoreno20080803.JPG holds most of D.C. United's offensive records.|alt=A Hispanic soccer player with shiny brown hair smiles and faces left. He is wearing a red jersey with white and black details and a VW logo.]]

{{updated|July 15, 2022|{{cite web |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/history/alltime_leaders.jsp?team=t103 |title=D.C. United All-Time Leaders |date=August 22, 2009 |website=MLSSoccer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515090256/http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/history/alltime_leaders.jsp?team=t103 |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |access-date=June 22, 2013}}}}

File:Wayne Rooney (50120928878).jpg played for D.C. United from 2018 to 2020]]

Four players who were with D.C. United during the 1990s were chosen in 2005 as members of the MLS All-Time Best XI:

• DF: {{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Agoos: D.C. United (1996–2000)
• DF: {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Pope: D.C. United (1996–2002)
• MF: {{flagicon|BOL}} Marco Etcheverry: D.C. United (1996–2003)
• FW: {{flagicon|BOL}} Jaime Moreno: D.C. United (1996–2002, 2004–10)

{{main|D.C. United Hall of Tradition}}

In 2003, D.C. United introduced the "Hall of Tradition" (formerly "Tradition of Excellence"), an honor bestowed upon players, coaches & front office staff deemed by United to have been crucial to the team's success.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/t103/fans/hall_of_tradition/ |title=D.C. United: Fans: D.C. United Hall of Tradition |year=2008 |website=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018192707/http://web.mlsnet.com/t103/fans/hall_of_tradition/ |archive-date=October 18, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2009}} People are listed in the order in which they joined the club.

File:D.C. United Hall of Tradition.jpg

• Sports in Washington, D.C.

General

• MLS statistics sourced to: {{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/mls.html |title=Major League Soccer |last=Litterer |first=David |website=RSSSF |access-date=July 13, 2011}}
• U.S. Open Cup statistics sourced to: {{Cite web |url=http://thecup.us/category/history/1995-present/ |title=1995 – present (Pro Era) |last=Hikala |first=Josh |website=TheCup.us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816014037/http://thecup.us/category/history/1995-present/ |archive-date=August 16, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2011}}
• CONCACAF statistics sourced to: {{Cite web |url=http://www.concacaf.com/staticFiles/f9/3a/0,,12813~146169,00.pdf |title=CONCACAF Champions Cup and Champions League history |last=Torres |first=Steven |website=CONCACAF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916075649/http://www.concacaf.com/staticFiles/f9/3a/0%2C%2C12813~146169%2C00.pdf |archive-date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2011}}
• Top scorers sourced to: {{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/season?season_year=2011&season_type=REG&team=1326&group=GOALS&op=Search&form_build_id=form-863e80557f7f1e6308364857e50e9a19&form_id=mls_stats_individual_form |title=Statistics |website=Major League Soccer |access-date=July 12, 2011}}

Notes

{{Reflist}}

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