https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/united United en-US Thu, 29 Oct 2026 03:17:04 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-toronto-fc The Associated Press The team was eliminated from playoff contention. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 03:17:04 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-toronto-fc TORONTO (AP) — Josh Sargent scored a go-ahead goal in the 86th minute to help Toronto FC beat D.C. United 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Sargent calmly slotted home a rebound for his ninth goal of the season after Theo Corbeanu’s shot bounced off the post. It was the ninth time this season Toronto has scored a tying or go-ahead goal in the final 10 minutes of a game.

Toronto (9-11-12), which finished its home schedule with a 6-2-9 record, needed the win after entering three points outside of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

D.C. United (7-13-12) was eliminated from playoff contention.

Andre Dozzell scored his first goal for D.C. United in the 29th minute. Dozzell settled a back pass from Silvan Hefti and sent a low shot off the right hand of a diving Luka Gavran that went inside the far post.

Toronto tied it at 1-all in the 63rd on its first shot on target. Sargent elevated for a header that deflected off Jonathan Osorio's back and past goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The goal, originally given to Sargent, was initially disallowed due to an offside flag but a video review confirmed it was a good goal.]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/metro/audi-field-dc-united-roof-renovation-spirit Martin Austermuhle The team says more seats and a roof would allow more events, but the path through the D.C. Council could be complicated. Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:25:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/metro/audi-field-dc-united-roof-renovation-spirit In recent years, D.C. taxpayers have committed $515 million to renovate the Capital One Arena and more than $1 billion to help build a new stadium for the Washington Commanders, as well as agreeing to putting the proceeds from a business tax to finance a $400 million renovation of Nationals Park — itself built with taxpayer dollars.

But is a request for hundreds of millions of dollars to add 8,000 seats and a new roof to D.C. United’s Audi Field — constructed in part with public funds just over a decade ago — one ask too many? Or is it a justifiable investment in a venue that hosts a global sport and growing roster of teams?

That question is now percolating through the Wilson Building, as D.C. lawmakers debate the extent of their continued investment in sports facilities in a city that markets itself as the “Sports Capital” but is facing uncertain economic times.

In July, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson quietly introduced legislation that would commit $300 million in public funding — split up over five years — to the expansion of Audi Field, with D.C. United kicking in $320 million of its own. The money would go towards additional seating, a roof and more than 400 units of housing on an empty parcel of land adjacent to the stadium.

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Reactions to the proposal have broken down along the usual lines: Proponents say it would bring more people to Audi Field for more events and generate economic activity for the surrounding Buzzard Point area, while critics argue that the claims of economic benefits are overstated and that D.C. shouldn’t be committing any more public money to stadiums and arenas — especially as lawmakers face the prospect of cutting programs and services.

But the bill has also scrambled the usual politics around putting public dollars into professional sports facilities. Mendelson — often a skeptic of the practice — is the main proponent, while Mayor Muriel Bowser, who negotiated public funding deals for the Capitals, Wizards and Commanders, has spoken out against it.

The Washington Spirit are also an unexpected X factor: The popular women’s team is unhappy with their current lease with D.C. United, and want to use the bill as leverage to negotiate a deal that makes them more of a partner than a renter of the space.

“I’m of two minds about the proposal,” said Ward 6 council member Charles Allen, who represents the neighborhood where Audi Field is located, during a daylong hearing Friday. “On one hand, when I view this proposal as a District resident and taxpayer, I feel uneasy, especially since this is coming on the heels of the RFK Campus redevelopment. On the other hand … I see the amount of economic activity the stadium is able to generate by hosting D.C. United and Washington Spirit games.”

The potential of the latter is what proponents are putting forth to ease concerns over the former.

“Nearly two decades ago, Nationals Park became the catalyst and center of gravity for the Navy Yard. The ballpark drew people, and the grocery stores, restaurants, parks and services residents now rely on, followed. Audi Field can play that role for Buzzard Point,” said Emeka Moneme, president of the Navy Yard Business Improvement District. “On match days, foot traffic in Buzzard Point runs 12 to 14 times that of a typical non-event day. Seven shops and restaurants now operate in Buzzard Point, and when the stadium is dark, they feel it.”

D.C. United officials say adding a roof and more seats — capacity is currently 19,200, and it would increase to around 28,000 — would dramatically increase the number of games and events Audi Field could hold.

It would also facilitate Major League Soccer’s move to a new schedule in early 2028 — aimed at better aligning with European leagues — but also expand opportunities for concerts, festivals and other teams at the stadium, including the Washington Spirit and the D.C. Flight, a brand new professional women’s volleyball team. (D.C. Power FC, another women’s soccer team, also plays at Audi Field, as do the D.C. Defenders, a United Football League team.)

“When we look at the roof project, it’s not just comparing it to the soccer landscape. We’re looking at the broader mission of becoming a sports capital, to serve our clients and bring in more events as we become more of a year-round facility,” said Danita Johnson, D.C. United’s president of business operations.

But Shira Markoff, the director of economic policy for the liberal D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, argued that while a bigger and roofed Audi Field may be able to host more events, that’s not reason enough for public funds to be used on the upgrades.

“Economic research shows that sports stadiums are not significant drivers of local economic growth,” she said.

One marquee critic of the proposed deal for the soccer stadium was Nina Albert, D.C.’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development. She defended the city’s investments in the Capital One Arena, Nationals Park and the new Commanders stadium, but argued that Audi Field isn’t old enough to merit the public outlay — for now.

“We must be clear-eyed about what investments are necessary, when the best time is for making those investments, and what we need to know before committing more than $300 million in public funds,” she said. “A $300 million investment merits study, I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

Albert added that one of Bowser’s principal concerns is that whatever events a larger Audi Field could attract — primarily concerts — would “cannibalize” Capital One Arena, though proponents of the deal countered that there’s enough demand to satisfy what both venues could offer artists.

Ultimately, the path to a deal for D.C. United and Audi Field may have to pass through the Spirit, which has played at the stadium since 2023 and is in the process of renegotiating its lease.

Though team CEO Kim Stone told lawmakers that the Spirit are “neutral” on the bill, in recent weeks they made clear that they want to use any possible legislation as leverage to negotiate better terms, including distinct signage, their own locker room, and certainty that the women’s team won’t get short-shrifted during what would likely be a two-year construction period that could displace home games.

“We believe in the value of Audi Field, but the details need to be refined in order to make sure we have enforceable protections that are good for everyone,” Stone said.

The Spirit’s quiet lobbying seems to have paid dividends. “It’s very hard for us to be supportive if you’re not able to bring the Spirit on-side,” Ward 3 council member Matt Frumin told D.C. United officials at the hearing. “I am in principle supportive of this, but that is going to be a prerequisite.”

What happens next — and when — remains up in the air. D.C. United CEO Jason Levien said that with the MLS schedule change set to take effect in January 2028 and negotiations ongoing with the Spirit, he’d like lawmakers to move as quickly as possible to give some certainty after what he says was years of lobbying for the project.

“I'm really worried that if we don't have it done by December, I wouldn't say all hope is lost, because I don't like to lose hope, but I think I worry about how we keep the Spirit, how we keep the other tenants happy, and how we prepare Audi Field for the change in the calendar,” he said.

In a statement to The Sun, the Spirit said while a new lease is a “top priority,” the team is “committed” to staying in D.C.

D.C. United has already started sweetening the pot for lawmakers, announcing it has already agreed in principle to work with labor unions on construction of the expanded stadium and neighboring housing project. These project labor agreements have often been points of contention in other D.C. stadium deals.

Still, Levien’s hopeful timeline might be faster than some lawmakers are ready to accept.

“It sounds like we need to do a lot more studying,” said At-Large council member Elissa Silverman. “It sounds like we’re a little premature in moving forward until we understand the impacts financially and on infrastructure.”
]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-fc-cincinnati-oct-21 The Associated Press The loss drops United to 7-10-13, leaving them in 13th place in the MLS standings. Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:33:55 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-fc-cincinnati-oct-21 CINCINNATI — David Douděra scored for the first time in MLS, and Teenage Hadebe recorded his first goal with Cincinnati to help beat D.C. United 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati (10-11-9) moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings with hopes of clinching a spot in the playoffs for the fifth season in a row.

D.C. United (7-10-13), which has not qualified for the postseason since 2019, sits in 13th.

Douděra opened the scoring in the 14th minute when a deflected ball fell to his feet at the far post for a one-touch finish. Hadebe put Cincinnati ahead in the 55th on a slide at the back post to finish Evander’s free kick.

United defender Kimito Nono tied it at 1-all in the 38th. João Peglow chipped a pass over the defense that Nono settled with his right foot and calmly sent in a shot with his left.

The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 5 before it was postponed due to pitch conditions and player safety concerns created by heavy rains in the Cincinnati area.]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-game-recap-sept-12-2026 The Associated Press Sean Johnson has two saves for a 0-0 tie with Atlanta. Sun, 13 Sep 2026 12:29:24 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-united-game-recap-sept-12-2026 WASHINGTON (AP) — Sean Johnson had two saves Saturday night for D.C. United in a 0-0 tie with Atlanta United.

The 37-year-old Johnson has six shutouts this season for D.C. United (6-7-11), which beat Columbus 2-1 on Wednesday night to snap a five-game winless streak.

Atlanta (6-14-5) is winless in four straight following a season-high three wins in a row.

Atlanta had 62% possession and outshot D.C. 18-4, 3-0 on target. D.C. had just one shot in the second half.

The teams also played to a scoreless tie March 21 in Atlanta.]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/top-draft-picks-dc-sports-ranked Scott Allen From Kwame Brown to Bryce Harper, top picks haven’t always panned out as expected. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:10:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/top-draft-picks-dc-sports-ranked With the Washington Wizards on the clock as owners of the No. 1 pick in next week's NBA draft, fans are buzzing over the potential for A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer to elevate the franchise.

But D.C.’s pro sports teams haven’t always been so lucky when presented with the top choice. For every superstar like Bryce Harper, there has been a bust like Kwame Brown — plus a handful of athletes largely lost to history, including a defenseman labeled “the next Bobby Orr” who lasted just two seasons in Washington.

To capture it all, we ranked every first overall pick in D.C. sports history — including top picks made by D.C.’s MLB, NBA, WNBA, NFL, NHL, MLS and NWSL teams.

(Note: We left off Nationals shortstop Eli Willits (drafted in 2025) and D.C. United defender Nikola Markovic (2026) because they are still in the early stages of their careers, as well as running back Ernie Davis, who was traded immediately after Washington selected him No. 1 in the 1962 NFL draft.)

15. Kwame Brown (2001 NBA draft)

"We don't know what this kid is capable of doing, that's the beauty of why we drafted him,” Michael Jordan, the Wizards’ president of basketball operations, said after he made the 6-foot-11 Brown the first high school player taken first overall in the NBA draft. “We don't know. In a couple of years he may be a star."

Brown, who didn’t become a star, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in August 2005 and played for six teams over his final eight seasons in the league. Pau Gasol and Tony Parker, who were selected third and 28th in the same draft, became Hall of Famers.

14. Jason Moore (1999 MLS draft)

The former Virginia midfielder appeared in 16 games and started 12 as a rookie for D.C. United during the 1999 season, which culminated in the franchise’s third MLS Cup in four years. Moore was traded to Colorado the following February and was out of the league by 2004.

13. Greg Joly (1974 NHL draft)

Washington General Manager Milt Schmidt hailed Joly as “the next Bobby Orr” after the expansion Capitals made the Canadian defenseman the first pick in franchise history two days shy of his 20th birthday. After two injury-marred seasons in Washington, Joly was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.
Freddy Adu AP - 04072102093 (2000x1467, AR: 1.36)12. Freddy Adu (2004 MLS draft)

The most hyped American soccer prospect in history became the youngest-ever pro athlete in U.S. team sports when he made his debut for D.C. United as a 14-year-old in April 2004. Adu, an attacking midfielder who grew up in the D.C. area after his parents relocated from Ghana, scored 11 goals in 87 appearances for United before he was traded to Real Salt Lake in December 2006. He never lived up to the outsized expectations for him while playing for more than a dozen teams across three continents over the next 15 years.

11. Rick Green (1976 NHL draft)

The Canadian defenseman played six seasons in Washington before being included in a franchise-altering trade that sent him to the Montreal Canadiens for Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis, Rod Langway and Craig Laughlin.

10. Harry Gilmer (1948 NFL draft)

A leg injury limited Gilmer to one game as a rookie after Washington made the former Alabama quarterback the No. 1 overall pick in a draft that saw future Hall of Fame QBs Bobby Layne and Y.A. Tittle selected third and sixth, respectively.

9. Jeff Burroughs (1969 MLB draft)

The high school slugger out of Long Beach, California, made his debut with the Senators in 1970 but became a star after the team relocated to Arlington, Texas, and was rebranded as the Rangers in 1972. Burroughs was named American League MVP in 1974 after hitting .301 with 25 homers and a league-leading 118 RBI.Also,

8. Alecko Eskandarian (2003 MLS draft)

The former Virginia standout scored two goals to earn MVP honors in United’s most recent MLS Cup victory in 2004. An all-star in two of his four seasons in D.C., Eskandarian was traded to Toronto FC in 2006. Concussions led the forward to retire after the 2009 season.

7. Crystal Dunn (2014 NWSL draft)

After finishing third in rookie of the year voting in 2014, the versatile forward scored a league-leading 15 goals across 20 regular-season games and was named MVP in 2015. Dunn helped Washington reach its first NWSL final in 2016.
Chamique Holdsclaw AP - 99050702909 (1688x976, AR: 1.73)6. Chamique Holdsclaw (1999 WNBA draft)

The Mystics used the only No. 1 pick in franchise history on the two-time Naismith Player of the Year from Tennessee. Holdsclaw was named rookie of the year in 1999 and was an all-star in each of her first five seasons with Washington.

5. Andi Sullivan (2018 NWSL draft)

A local product who graduated from South County High School in Lorton, Virginia, Sullivan has spent her entire career with the Spirit. The midfielder and longtime captain led the franchise to its first NWSL title in 2021.

4. John Wall (2010 NBA draft)

With Irene Pollin, the wife of the franchise’s late owner, Abe Pollin, representing the Wizards on stage at the 2010 NBA draft lottery, Washington overcame long odds to secure the No. 1 overall pick.

After a dazzling freshman season at Kentucky, Wall earned five all-star nods and led the Wizards back to relevance before injuries derailed his career. The point guard’s buzzer-beater against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the 2017 Eastern Conference semifinals is one of the franchise’s few highlights since winning the NBA title in 1978.
Bryce Harper debut AP - 120428025098 (5184x3456, AR: 1.50)3. Bryce Harper (2010 MLB draft)

One year after Harper appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 16-year-old, the Nationals drafted him out of the College of Southern Nevada. He was named NL rookie of the year in 2012, NL MVP in 2015 and made six all-star teams with Washington. Harper became a free agent after the 2018 season and signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he’s still chasing his first ring.

2. Stephen Strasburg (2009 MLB draft)

Harper has had the better career, but Strasburg gets the nod here for his role in delivering the Nationals their first World Series title.

After a dominating career at San Diego State, the right-handed pitcher made his MLB debut at Nationals Park on June 8, 2010, striking out 14 over seven electric innings. Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million contract extension with Washington after being named World Series MVP in 2019, but injuries and surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome limited the three-time all-star to eight more big league appearances before he retired in 2024.

1. Alex Ovechkin (2004 NHL draft)

“If you are second, you are second,” Ovechkin said after the Capitals, following their worst season in 26 years, won the 2004 NHL draft lottery and made the 18-year-old Russian forward the top pick. “If you are first, you are first. I always want to be first.”

Twenty-one years later, Ovechkin broke a record that was considered untouchable, moving past Wayne Gretzky and into first place on the NHL’s all-time goals list with his 895th career tally.

A three-time MVP who helped lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup title in 2018, the remarkably durable Ovechkin, who turns 41 in September, is undecided about whether he will return for a 22nd season.
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