| 1997 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General manager | Dave Kasper | |||
| Head coach | Bruce Arena | |||
| Stadium | RFK Stadium | |||
| MLS | Conference: 1st Overall: 1st | |||
| MLS Cup | Champions | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | Runners-Up | |||
| CONCACAF Champions' Cup | Third place | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: All: Jaime Moreno (16) | |||
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The 1997 D.C. United season was the clubs' third year of existence, as well as their second season in Major League Soccer. United successfully defended its MLS Cup title, becoming the first club to win consecutive league championships until the Houston Dynamo in 2007.[1] United also won its first Supporters' Shield as the team with the best regular-season record, earning their first league "double" by winning the regular season and playoffs.[2] The team also finished as runners-up in the 1997 U.S. Open Cup final, played in Indinapolis three days after United won MLS Cup 1997 at its home stadium, RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.[3] In international play, United qualified for the 1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, which was primarily played in Washington, D.C., and were eliminated in the semifinals by the Los Angeles Galaxy; the team ultimately shared third place with C.D. Guadalajara after a tie in the third-place match.[4]
- ^ Schaerlaeckens, Leander (August 3, 2011). "Odds against defending MLS title". ESPN. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Hall, Andy (October 16, 2024). "Which MLS teams have won a league and Supporters' Shield double?". Diario AS. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Hayes, Tom (October 29, 1997). "D.C. is dethroned in Open Cup Final". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Goff, Steven (August 25, 1997). "Cruz Azul captures Champions Cup, 5–3". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2024.