The “Big Four” sports have held a stranglehold over audiences in D.C. for generations; the Capitals and the Nationals lifted their respective championship trophies not so long ago, and the Commanders (before the rebrand) had periods of success.
Yet the growing media attention surrounding the soccer side, with big names and lofty ambitions, has created a buzz around this historic city, even if that’s not reflected in the results just yet.
Join me on my journey to Washington D.C., where I discovered the feverish devotion D.C. United supporters have for their team and the incredible spectacle that is MLS in the nation’s capital.
Getting to know United
Soccer success isn’t unheard of in this part of the world, but it’s been a while since those glory days. United lifted the MLS Cup on three occasions in four seasons in the late 90s, and a CONCACAF Champions’ Cup to boot, creating a North American dynasty of sorts.
Yet the trophy haul has dried up completely since 2013, leaving United fans with a feeling of pessimism going into most seasons over the past decade.
A bottom-place finish in the Eastern Conference appears on the cards and is doing little to lift spirits among the D.C. faithful either. A Groundhog Day feeling of more failure looms.
Head coach Wayne Rooney, one of England’s greatest-ever soccer players and no stranger to managerial adversity, has led the efforts in shifting this losing mentality. His reputation as a motivator in management has been well-documented, coming so close to achieving the seemingly impossible feat of survival with Derby County in the English Championship despite being deducted 21 points.
Audi Field, home of this hopeful outfit, boasts just a relatively short journey from downtown Washington. As I found, this modern 20,000-capacity arena basks in the September sun, leaving the roofed sections of the stadium’s sole job to offer shade.
Having visited dozens of European soccer grounds, the idea of uncovered seats at a soccer game is a risky one, as the British weather can turn on you at any point. Thanks to a difference in the calendar of MLS, this isn’t as much of an issue Stateside.
No longer is this D.C. squad a handful of misfits, there’s real star quality now – Christian Benteke, Mateusz Klich, and Ravel Morrison to name a few. The signing of Benteke, in particular, felt like a coup, as many believed he still had something to offer in the Premier League.
Could this team, under the guidance of renowned soccer icon Rooney, fulfill the ambitions that the owners have in mind?
Enter Inter Miami
There was another Englishman at the helm for the opposition for the match in focus, too. Phil Neville, a famed former Everton and Manchester United player, took the reigns of Inter Miami in 2021 after making a managerial name for himself as head coach of England’s Women.
The playoffs were within reach for this newly formed club, possessing star talent on their roster as well, including Argentina frontman Gonzalo Higuaín.
A game which promised to be a challenge for the struggling Black and Reds, they needed to get something going to avoid finishing at the foot of their conference.
The ignominy of finishing dead last in the standings is obviously unwanted, this would hopefully serve as enough motivation to make this a decent contest.
As you make your way to Audi Field, a half hour bus ride from the city center, it gives you the chance to overhear others making the same journey you are. Some excited young voices among them – this is what soccer fanfare should be about.
What I enjoyed most about this MLS experience was that, when compared to the opinions and ramblings of British soccer fans, there is so much optimism and enthusiasm surrounding the American match-going mentality. It’s advertised as a family affair, welcoming anybody.
There seems to be much more hostility involved with English soccer. This isn’t to paint a bad picture of passionate supporters that attend weekly in the UK, as some of them are the most loyal sports fans you’d find anywhere on Earth. It’s just that the aura feels very different to US soccer.
Approaching the stadium, I couldn’t help but spot how modern the entire surroundings felt. That’s not all that surprising as it only opened five years ago. The location felt far more like a complex (which it is, basically) than the traditional grounds you find in Europe that are built within housing estates.
There are some old fashioned stadiums, steeped in history and tradition, that I love, although I can’t help but admire the breathtaking amenities and shiny facade of brand new arenas, designed for the fan experience.
I took my seat (unsheltered), eagerly anticipating what MLS had to offer. It didn’t shock me that there were a lot of empty seats around me, given the home side’s campaign so far.
The game gets underway
As flags were hoisted all around me, the fans were ready to spur on their side and instill some much needed confidence into the players.
In truth, the game was a little bit of a slow-burner, both sides beginning the early exchanges with a great deal of caution.
That was until Christian Benteke bagged his first D.C. United goal after a sumptuous cross which he neatly tucked into the bottom corner. Perhaps the Washington tide was turning.
Sadly, the home side were pegged back just over a quarter of an hour later thanks to sloppy handling by the goalkeeper, gifting Campana with the fairly simple opportunity of slotting home from close range. A huge frustration for United considering the nature of the goal.
Seasons are defined by such important moments. It could be just the boost that Inter Miami needed to make the playoffs and cement D.C. United’s position as the worst in the Eastern Conference, unless a spark was found at half time.
Wayne Rooney has built a reputation as an inspirational leader from both his playing days and his early coaching career. Did he have something special lined up to roar United onto victory?
A lively second period
Before making my way back to the seats, I wanted to check out the food options on offer. It was fairly typical of what you’d expect from an American sports venue: hot dogs, nachos, pizza, the list goes on. It all looked delicious but quite expensive, truthfully.
While the first half began in an underwhelming fashion, nobody was saying that the second half kicked off dull.
To the dismay of many United fans around me, another showing of lackluster defending made it all too easy for Inter Miami to turn the game on its head and go into the lead, with Campana sliding in to pick up his second goal of the match.
On this defensive showing, it’s not hard to understand why United have struggled as much as they have this season.
Given each team’s form, was the game now over? Hang on a minute; from a free kick that was whipped in deep and half dealt with by the Miami defense, the ball arrived to Taxiarchis Fountasa on the edge of the box and he connects sweetly with the volley to cause confusion and, ultimately, a deflection that takes the strike beyond the visiting ‘keeper.
All of a sudden, just when you thought D.C. United might be going out with a whimper, they found new life. They were knocking on the metaphorical door relentlessly and it felt as though a winner could be coming.
Inter Miami did have the ball in the back of the United net, Campana seemingly bagging his hat trick, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. A let off for D.C.
A devastating blow
The chances came and went, nerves were shredded all around me. Wouldn’t you know it, a moment that typified D.C. United’s entire season occurred to break hearts.
As the midfield was looking to spray a quick pass out and get a counter attack started in the 4th minute of stoppage time, the ball ricocheted off the unfortunate Victor Pálsson and into the path of DeAndre Yedlin.
The former Newcastle United right-back had acres to work with and expertly picked out Gonzalo Higuaín in the penalty area. Whatever faults you make throughout a game, you can’t make one as criminal as leaving a player of Higuaín’s quality unmarked from 7 yards out to easily slot home.
The undoubted winner in the game. United were never going to recover from this sucker punch in an all too familiar tale of lapsed concentration.
The full time whistle went to the disappointment of those around me. D.C. United 2-3 Inter Miami, a good game for the neutral at least.
Of course the home side will be gutted by the loss but, as a regular attendee of European soccer matches, I was intrigued to gauge whether a loss felt quite as devastating without the threat of relegation. As a big fan of other American sports, the concept has always fascinated me.
From what I gathered, the disappointment was palpable, proving that the feeling of a loss isn’t entirely cushioned by not being threatened with dropping down a division. Fans want to see their heroes win at the end of the day.
There are soccer snobs across Europe who might turn their nose up at the spectacle of MLS, but this wasn’t a preconception I subscribed to. I knew that MLS was a league to be taken seriously.
However, this American experience had opened my eyes to fan culture in the stands and the quality on show from the perspective of being there in person.
Trips to Washington D.C. often center around seeing the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, or the Smithsonian, and understandably so. I’m here to tell you though, don’t write off a trip to Audi Field – it fuses the dramatic romance of the beautiful game with an almost tangible vibrancy that MLS does so well. What’s not to love about that?