Inside MLS: DC United

Inside MLS: DC United — page 3
CHAPTER 1 A CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST Professional soccer was hit or miss in the United States for many years Leagues came and went as did fans Even Major League Soccer MLS which debuted in 1996 was no sure thing The new league needed to get off to a strong start DC United one of the original 10 teams helped set that foundation It didn’t take long for DC United to become a force in the new league One season was all it took in fact DC boasted a balanced attack with aggressive forwards Raúl Díaz Arce and Jaime Moreno plus midfielders Marco Etcheverry and John Harkes Jeff Agoos and Eddie Pope combined with goalkeeper Mark Simpson to lead a sound defense Together they led United to the third-best record in the league DC United’s Jaime Moreno 9 fights off the Galaxy’s Arash Noamouz during the 1996 MLS Cup 4