DC United, Washington DC

As one of the ten charter members of Major League Soccer, the team from the nation’s capitol has rigidly followed this declaration and by doing so, set the standard of excellence by which other professional teams aspire to.

Boasting 12 major domestic and international titles, D.C. United is the most successful team in the history of American professional soccer. From the outset, United showed that it meant business on the field. The Black-and-Red became the first team in modern U.S. soccer history to win the domestic “double” in its inaugural season, capturing both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. D.C. United was the first club to win back-to-back MLS Cups (1996 and 1997) and still remains the only club to be awarded the MLS Supporters’ Shield successively (2006 and 2007).

Domestic success resonated in international competition as well. In 1998, the Black-and-Red became the first American club to win both the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup and the InterAmerican Cup. In 2005, D.C. United became the first (and to date, only) U.S. entrant to participate in the prestigious Copa Sudamericana, a feat the club replicated in 2007. United’s grand trophy collection is highlighted by a record four MLS Cups (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004).

Away from the field, United’s charitable aspirations are also evident. Since inception, the club has been actively involved with programming to assist those in need. Those efforts were taken to a whole new level when D.C. United’s charitable arm, United for D.C., was founded in 2002. Programming highlights of the charity include United Reads, an active initiative in six elementary schools within the Washington D.C. area that has distributed over 12,000 new books this year alone, Kicks for Kids, a program that has provided more than 10,000 underprivileged children the opportunity to watch the Black-and-Red play this season, and United Soccer Club, an after-school initiative at seven inner-city locations teaching soccer to more than 110 underserved students. The foundation is supported by United’s community relations department, which also oversees a collection program benefiting area nonprofit organizations in need, a volunteer initiative, additional community partnerships and the placement of more than 350 player appearances each calendar year.

With so many successes both on and off of the playing field, it is obvious that D.C. United has firmly established a tradition of excellence