Fair weather fans and Georgetown Euro wannabes, you’re missing out on the local sporting event tailored exactly to your needs: the District’s own Major League Soccer team, D.C. United.
D.C. United is the one D.C. sports team with a proud past and a bright future. And with soccer’s increasing popularity in the United States, you might as well jump on the bandwagon before it’s too late.
Games are cheap-only $16-and RFK Stadium is on both the Metro’s Blue and Orange lines. It’s time to kiss $100 Redskin tickets goodbye.
Plus it doesn’t get much better than soccer fans. You’ve seen them on TV at least. They’re insane and they’re proud of it.
So if you want to give D.C. soccer a try, here’s a crash course: D.C. United 101, if you will.
During the first four years of the MLS league, D.C. United reigned supreme. From 1996 to 2000, United won the Super Bowl of soccer, the MLS Cup, three times. It looked like there was an early dynasty in the making.
But then in 2001, the team’s winning streak ended. United hasn’t even made it to the playoffs since. Keep in mind that 80-percent of MLS teams make it to the playoffs each year. So a team that doesn’t make it is like the uncoordinated kid who wasn’t picked for dodge ball during third grade recess.
But things might change this year. There are four games left in the regular season and United is just above the playoff cut. To stay in it, they’ll have to keep ahead of two teams: the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew.
This won’t be a cake walk. Of the four games left, four will match United against the Revolution and one will match them against the Crew. So there is ample opportunity for either of the teams to knock D.C. out.
As of the past week, things aren’t looking so hot for D.C. Two of their best players-both of whom were picked to be on the United States national team-are injured. Midfielder Ben Olsen will be out for six to eight weeks with an MCL sprain to his left knee and goalie Nick Rimando will be out for God-knows-how-long with a torn ACL.
But D.C. still has a chance. Rookie goalie Doug Warren stepped in for Rimando this Saturday and pulled off a considerable performance.
The bottom line is that D.C.’s playoff chances are in their own hands. With a few more wins-they can even throw in some ties-their playoff spot will be secured. And if they choke, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
In any event, there is sure to be some incredible moments in the next four games. So take off the Real Madrid jersey and shelve the Redskins hat. Soccer’s the new football-and the old football for that matter-and there’s no better place to become a fan.
