One of the ten remaining founding teams of the MLS in 1996, D.C. United were the league’s first real dominant power in the late 1990s. The team actually won a Cup double in the first season of MLS, capturing the inaugural MLS Cup with a dramatic 3-2 Golden Goal (ask your dad!) win over the LA Galaxy and claiming the US Open Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the lower level USL. More honors were soon to follow for D.C. as they repeated their MLS Cup success in 1997 and 1999 and became the first ever American team to lift the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1998 when they defeated Mexican side Deportivo Toluca 1-0 in the final. Two more US Open Cups and one more MLS Cup (2004) came in the following decade, but as the league expanded and grew, D.C. United’s fortunes began to waver. While there was great excitement for a short time over their signing of legendary English striker Wayne Rooney (Google his last ditch tackle and 50-yard pass to set up a last minute equalizer for D.C. United right now…you’ll thank me after!), it was short lived as he soon retired (and had an unsuccessful stint as manager). D.C. United has particularly struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the MLS Playoffs in the past four years or get past the First Round since 2015. Fans are hoping that 2024 brings the return to the team’s past glories that they have been craving for so long.

How can I get cheap tickets to D.C. United games?

D.C. United is one of the most storied franchises in the MLS and therefore has a loyal fan base who flock to every home game. While this is great for the atmosphere at their games, it can make tickets difficult to find, especially for playoff games, cup games, key conference deciders, or rivalry matchups (see below). To score the cheapest tickets to D.C. United games, check the TicketX listings on this page and use our helpful TicketX seating chart to compare prices and locations. Tickets can be purchased from TicketX with a single click for the lowest commission fees! 

Will D.C. United play against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in the 2024 regular season? 

Yes, D.C. United will play against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on the following dates in 2024:

• Mar 16 - Inter Miami CF at D.C. United (Audi Field) 

• May 18 - D.C. United at Inter Miami CF (Chase Stadium, formerly DRV PNK Stadium)

For your best chance at landing the cheapest tickets to sold out Inter Miami CF games featuring Lionel Messi*, search TicketX listings on this page and use our trusty TicketX seating chart to compare seats and prices. Tickets can be purchased from TicketX with a single click for the lowest commission fees! 

**As with any sport, there is never a guarantee that an athlete will be available to play in a certain game. Injuries and other issues can rule Messi out of action, just as they can with any other athlete.

D.C. United Soccer Rivalries

D.C. United has several long-standing rivalries, but their main rival has always been the New York Red Bulls, against whom they compete annually for the informal Atlantic Cup. Other local rivals include the Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, and the USL’s Charleston Battery, against whom they contest the annual Coffee Pot Cup in a friendly match. D.C. United also have an historic rivalry with the LA Galaxy based on the teams’ many battles in finals and key games in the early days of the MLS.

Are D.C. United soccer games exciting?

D.C. United games are a lot of fun, with six main multilingual supporters groups (La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles, District Ultras, Rose Room Collective, 202 Unique, and La Banda del Distrito) filling the safe standing areas of the stadium to generate much of the atmosphere in the stadium through singing and chanting. The Latin flavor to the team’s support began in the 1990s when there were several popular players from South America (particularly Bolivians). Recent years may have been tough, but the fans still believe. Go support D.C. United–they need you!