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D.C. United Hall of Tradition

The D.C. United Hall of Tradition (formerly Tradition of Excellence) is an honor bestowed upon players, coaches and club management deemed by the franchise to have crucial to the club's success.[1]

Seven large black shield-shaped banners are hung on a green wall, with white text for the name and number, or role that the individual played.
Banners for the "Hall of Tradition" members as displayed at RFK Stadium.

Originally known as Tradition of Excellence, the honor was created in 2003 when the club honored midfielder John Harkes. Since 2007, six fellow players, executives and media partners have been honored by United.

The most recent inductee into the Hall of Tradition was United midfielder and current head coach, Ben Olsen was a member of the club during their late 1998 and 2009 dynasty, which included two MLS Cup honors, three MLS Supporter's Shields, a U.S. Open Cup and a CONCACAF title.

Induction ceremony

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On September 13, 2008, at halftime during a match against FC Dallas, D.C. United honored the 1998 squad that won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup including the two finalists for induction into the Hall; Richie Williams and Jeff Agoos.[2] Agoos was inducted during a 2-1 playoff victory against the New England Revolution on December 16, 2008, after winning three MLS Cup titles during five seasons with D.C. United.[3]

It is an honor and a privilege to join John and Marco in the D.C. United Hall of Tradition. It's a very special group. I was fortunate to be included on a team with great players in a quality organization and I want to thank all of the people involved.

— Jeff Agoos, Soccer Insider[4]

Díaz Arce and Dirón became the fourth and fifth inductees during a halftime ceremony while D.C. United faced Seattle Sounders FC at RFK Stadium on September 12, 2009.[5][6] Pope was inducted in the Hall at halftime ceremony during a 2–1 loss against the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 18, 2010.[7]

2011 induction ceremony

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On June 13, 2011, D.C. United announced four nominees for the 2011 Hall of Tradition induction ceremony, including Roy Lassiter, Carlos Llamosa, John Maessner, and Richie Williams.[8] On July 12, 2011, D.C. United announced that defensive midfielder Richie Williams would be inducted into the Hall of Tradition during a match against the Portland Timbers on August 27.[9] Before the induction ceremony D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne recognized Williams' accomplishments:

Richie was a key member of the early D.C. United teams who set a standard for MLS, which remains unmatched. His intelligence and fiery determination on the field was a critical ingredient in our success. His work rate and understanding of the game allowed our more glamorous players to be successful, but his contributions were no less important to our many championships. It’s absolutely appropriate that Richie be inducted into the Hall of Tradition, alongside John Harkes, Marco Etcheverry, Jeff Agoos, Raul Diaz Arce and Eddie Pope.[9]

Williams played for D.C. United six of his eight seasons in Major League Soccer. During his first five seasons with the club from 1996 until 2000 Williams helped the team win several titles, including the 1996, 1997, and 1999 MLS Cup titles; the 1996 U.S. Open Cup championship; the 1997 and 1999 Supporters Shields; and the 1998 Champions Cup and InterAmerican Cup victories. Williams played a final additional season with D.C. United in 2002.[9]

2013 induction ceremony

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On September 14, 2013, Jaime Moreno was inducted into the Hall of Tradition at halftime of a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at RFK Stadium.[10] The ceremony was particularly poignant due to the presence of Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who coached Moreno at DC United early in his career.

List of members

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Nat Name Type Pos. App. G Years Inducted
  John Harkes Player Midfielder 83 14 1996–98 May 14, 2003
  Marco Etcheverry Player Midfielder 190 34 1996–2003 October 20, 2007
  Betty D'Anjolell Executive N/A N/A N/A 1995–98 June 29, 2008
  Jeff Agoos Player Defender 158 7 1996–2000 October 16, 2008
  Raúl Díaz Arce Player Forward 68 52 1996–97, 2000–01 September 12, 2009
  Danilo Noel Dirón Broadcaster N/A N/A N/A 1997–2008 September 12, 2009
  Eddie Pope Player Defender 143 8 1996–02 July 18, 2010
  Richie Williams Player Midfielder 169 8 1996–2000, 2002 October 15, 2011
  Ben Olsen Player Midfielder 221 29 1998–2009 September 15, 2012
  Jaime Moreno Player Forward 329 131 1996–2002, 2004–2010 September 14, 2013
  Kevin Payne President/CEO N/A N/A N/A 1994–2001, 2004–2012 October 2, 2015

Members by position

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Players only.

Position Members
Midfielder 4
Defender 2
Forward 2
Goalkeeper 0

Members by nationality

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Nation Members
  United States 7
  Bolivia 2
  El Salvador 1
  Uruguay 1

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "D.C. United: Fans: D.C. United Hall of Tradition". Major League Soccer. 2008. Archived from the original on October 18, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  2. ^ Steven Goff (September 13, 2008). "Soehn, United Are Forced To Adapt to Roster Changes". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "United Report". The Washington Post. October 17, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  4. ^ Steven Goff (September 24, 2008). "Matchnight: United-Marathon". Soccer Insider. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  5. ^ Steven Goff (September 12, 2009). "D.C. United Adds Defender Vaughn to Begin Playoff Push". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "D.C. United to induct Raúl Díaz Arce and Danilo Noel Dirón to Hall of Tradition". D.C. United. August 26, 2009. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  7. ^ Matt Brooks (July 19, 2010). "Landon Donovan's penalty kick lifts Galaxy past D.C. United, 2-1". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  8. ^ "Roy Lassiter, Carlos Llamosa, John Maessner, and Richie Williams nominated for 2011 D.C. United Hall of Tradition induction". D.C. United. June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c "Richie Williams to be inducted to D.C. United Hall of Tradition presented by Yuengling". D.C. United. July 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  10. ^ "MLS legend Jaime Moreno inducted into DC United's Hall of Tradition at halftime of LA Galaxy match | MLSsoccer.com". Archived from the original on 2013-09-20.
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