DC United

D.C. United were founded on 15 June 1994, when MLS chose Washington from 22 applicants for one of its first franchises, and played in the league's opening season in 1996. The name echoes European clubs such as Manchester United and Leeds United. The colours are black, white and red, the team is known as the Black-and-Red, and a bald eagle has featured on every crest. United played at RFK Stadium from 1996 to 2017 and in July 2018 moved to Audi Field, a soccer-specific stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington.

Under Bruce Arena, United won the first MLS Cup in 1996, beating LA Galaxy 3-2 with an Eddie Pope golden goal, added the U.S. Open Cup for a double and retained the league title in 1997. In 1998 they became the first U.S. club to win the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, beating Toluca 1-0, and won the Copa Interamericana against Vasco da Gama. Further MLS Cups followed in 1999 and 2004, alongside four Supporters' Shields (1997, 1999, 2006, 2007) and Open Cups in 2008 and 2013.