Editorial (October 20, 2017) – This Sunday is Decision Day, the last match day of the 2017 MLS season. D.C. United will be playing their final match ever at RFK Stadium on Sunday, against Atlantic Cup rivals New York Red Bulls. Fans around the city and the league are getting ready for it in earnest.
#LastCallAtRFK: The District And D.C. United Fans Prepare To Close Out Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (RFK Stadium, for short) broke ground in the summer of 1960. It was construced for $24 million and opened October 1, 1961. With a modular design, it has hosted a number of different sporting events. It has played home to the Washington Redskins of the NFL, Washington Nationals of MLB, and a number of professional soccer teams.
RFK Stadium and its sports teams: A history in photos https://t.co/S6GqBL0IQ2
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 20, 2017
Almost time for #LastCallatRFK.
Take a walk down memory lane: https://t.co/qGqEA3bf1t (: @MLSist & Tony Quinn) pic.twitter.com/2IPBTZzjNn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2017
My ode to RFK … https://t.co/68eliEFQfR
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 19, 2017
Very cool cover on D.C. United’s RFK farewell program. The Bobby Kennedy image is priceless. #dcu #mls pic.twitter.com/0jv9f34lTM
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 18, 2017
It has been the home to MLS original and four time MLS Cup Champions, D.C. United since their inception. After 21 years, United are getting a new home, Audi Field. With that, after 56 years of service, the old venue is closing up shop.
Acknowledging History And Character:
Much like the old stadiums of other sports (Wrigley Field, the Rose Bowl, Madison Square Garden), RFK Stadium has been around so long, it has it’s a soul of sorts. It’s been host to so many events, and truly is a cathedral and museum (albeit a crumbling one) to American Soccer.
The stadium has been home to so many classic D.C. United and MLS memories since ’96. From the MLS Cups of the 1990’s, to trophy finals, to a sold out crowd for David Beckham, to the United States Men’s National team’s win over Germany in 2013.
Perspective | D.C. United’s top 20 memorable moments at RFK Stadium https://t.co/RTKGlDgEL2 #dcu #mls
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 20, 2017
The stadium and fan base also have it’s own inside jokes. There’s the Alecko Eskandarian “spitting Red Bull” skit, the joke about the stands being infested with raccoons. Then of course there’s the snarky chant “RFK is falling down” to the tune of ‘My Fair Lady.’
Concrete falls in RFK Stadium press box #MLS #DCU (via @SoccerInsider) http://t.co/YWsxoBf4oL pic.twitter.com/ezQAKNZjog
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) September 4, 2014
First stop RFK to pick up a @dcunited rally racoon and then Arena Stage to see @MargHelgen in The Little Foxes. VAMOS UNITED! pic.twitter.com/GjcCZBZmea
— Mikey Marx (@Mikey_Marx) October 27, 2016
Supporter Groups Prepare:
Even in recent years with poor results on the field, D.C. United’s Supporters’ Groups have one of the most unique setups in MLS. They sit at the center line, not behind the goal, and they make the stands bounce. RFK is their home. It’s a dump, but it’s their dump. And they’re going to see it out in style.
Send off RFK in style! https://t.co/t8SSJJwTQL Join #DCU fans as we celebrate ? the past and look to bright future https://t.co/2yJfSbsA60 pic.twitter.com/6qNO0H3UYh
— ScreamingEagles (@ScreamingEagles) October 17, 2017
2/2 my childhood heroes here and played with #DCU legends. memories as a fan, a player, an analyst. Let’s make 1 last memory #LastCallatRFK pic.twitter.com/W7aIjsldZN
— Devon McTavish (@devomct) October 20, 2017
We’d love to hear about your favorite stories from RFK Stadium #DCU https://t.co/ShTHGQMnTZ
— Black and Red United (@blackandredU) October 20, 2017
Farewell, RFK: The Stadium Wasn’t Pretty, But Fans Say It Was A Special Place For D.C. Sports | WAMU https://t.co/c1eSvJwI57
— District Ultras (@DistrictUltrasX) October 20, 2017
Chico? @dcunited @Barra_Brava pic.twitter.com/W1PrRPAKCr
— District Ultras (@DistrictUltrasX) October 18, 2017
Players And Coaches Wax Poetic:
Sunday will be emotional for more than just the fans. D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olson has spent much of his professional career at RFK Stadium, as a player and now as a Head Coach. As expected, he’s getting sentimental and teared up about it.
“I’m sentimental about the place. I’m a romantic.” @dcunited‘s Olsen about the end of an era at RFK Stadium: https://t.co/6q9s4YlORs #DCU pic.twitter.com/4O8UafJZI8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2017
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid will not be returning to the club as he pursues opportunities in Europe. This club is also undergoing changes with the arrival of Paul Arriola. A number of players might not be back with the team as they move into their new stadium. They aren’t thinking about that right now. They’re focused on “going out with a bang,” as Nick DeLeon said.
.@NickDeLeon7: “I honestly think we’ve got to go out with a bang.”https://t.co/7QIm1pXk0N #DCU pic.twitter.com/zEG4WTIbdd
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2017
Playing For Pride:
D.C. United will not be making the playoffs. They’ve had a pretty poor season, due to injuries and playing a number of young players. They are tied with LA Galaxy for the fewest points in MLS and have a chance to finish last in the league.
Last compared to second to last doesn’t mean much at this point. The team cares more about playing for pride and the Atlantic Cup, which they can win on Sunday. There is no tomorrow for D.C. United. There is no tomorrow for RFK Stadium. They’ve got nothing to lose, so they might as well go have some fun and pound a rival into the ground.
This is going to be fun.#LastCallatRFK | #DCU pic.twitter.com/lduMLPrar5
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 19, 2017
If that doesn’t get you pumped up for #LastCallAtRFK, nothing will. See you Sunday, you crumbly sentimental stack of concrete, steel, and memories.
