D.C. United is set to honor its first — and Major League Soccer’s first — league championship prior to kickoff against the New York Red Bulls this weekend. The look back hopefully will serve as inspiration for the current squad, which is a dismal 2-2-5 since a 14-game unbeaten run earlier in the season.
“The final game in ’96 is one of the best games ever played — one of the most dramatic for sure every played — in the MLS Cup final,” said United head coach Peter Nowak said of D.C.’s 3-2, come-from-behind win over Los Angeles, sealed by Eddie Pope’s header four minutes into sudden death overtime. “For these guys, they have to look at this tape, see the commitment, see the guys who were on the field who believed in success. They were down, 2-0, in crazy weather conditions, but they still believed they could win the cup. That’s a good message to my team.”
Twenty of the 28 principal members of the team and staff from that inaugral championship season are expected to attend Saturday. The list includes current Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena and assistant coaches John Harkes and Richie Williams.
“It certainly put this team in the right direction,” said United midfielder Ben Olsen. “The first couple of years and that game in particular set a foundation for this team that has been great.”
United can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win against New York; they’ll clinch the league’s best record with a win and an FC Dallas loss to Real Salt Lake.
N.Y. Red Bulls (7-10-11) at D.C. United (14-4-10)
» When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
» Where: RFK Stadium
» TV: Comcast SportsNet, Fox Soccer Channel
» Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
