While soccer has yet to make a strong foothold in the American sports market, it is becoming a more popular sport every year. Major League Soccer was founded in 1993, with one of its initial franchises granted to Washington D.C. D.C. United was founded in 1995, beginning play the following year, and has been the most dominant team in the sport, winning the U.S. Open Cup and an unprecedented four MLS Cups and four Supporters' Shields.
The club derives its name from the traditions of European football, where the term "United" is often found in team names - as well as an allusion to D.C. being the capital of the United States of America. The Black and Red, as they are known, have not only made their mark on the domestic sport, they have competed successfully in a number of international leagues. In 1998, they won the CONCACAF Cup, in a league comprised of teams from all across the Americas, as well as the Copa Interamericana. Teams from Mexico and Brazil, two strong football countries, fell to D.C. United in that tournament.
Today, D.C. United makes its home in RFK Stadium, the last major league team to remain in the venue. With plans underway to replace RFK Stadium with a new domed stadium for the nearby Washington Redskins, it remains up in the air if D.C. United will call the new structure their home, or if they will make the move to another stadium.
