WASHINGTON — After the Nationals’ wonderful season cruelly ended last week, D.C. sports fans were in need of a lift, and received it on Sunday from not one, but two football teams.
What we call soccer, the rest of world calls football, and at about the same time our American football team — the Redskins — were securing their fourth win in a row D.C. United was busy in its quest for a third straight playoff appearance.
Mission accomplished for United, as the Black and Red defeated New York City FC, 3-1, before close to 31,000 fans at RFK stadium. At FedEx Field, 78,934 attended the Redskins’ 27-20 Eagles. To be sure this is and always will be a Redskins town, but while United is overshadowed by the Redskins, it should not be ignored.
D.C. United is one of the founding members of Major League Soccer, which is in its 21st season and is averaging close to 22,000 fans per game. Major League Soccer is truly major league.
Since its beginning, United has always been active in the community and has stayed committed to the District. Soon, United hopes to break ground on a new stadium at Buzzard Point. United is paying for construction of the stadium.
As the crowd of 30,943 at RFK Stadium for United’s playoff clincher reminded us, D.C. is big enough for two football teams. Stitched into the neck of United’s jerseys is the phrase “taxation without representation.”
Like the Redskins, D.C. United has become a part of the fabric of the city — literally.