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]

Banners for the "Hall of Tradition" members are 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

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 the Seattle Sounders 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

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

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
Nat Name Type Pos. App. G Years Inducted
John HarkesPlayerMidfielder83141996–98May 14, 2003
Marco EtcheverryPlayerMidfielder190341996–2003October 20, 2007
Betty D'AnjolellExecutiveN/AN/AN/A1995–98June 29, 2008
Jeff AgoosPlayerDefender15871996–2000October 16, 2008
Raúl Díaz ArcePlayerForward68521996–97, 2000–01September 12, 2009
Danilo Noel DirónBroadcasterN/AN/AN/A1997–2008September 12, 2009
Eddie PopePlayerDefender14381996–02July 18, 2010
Richie WilliamsPlayerMidfielder16981996–2000, 2002October 15, 2011
Ben OlsenPlayerMidfielder221291998–2009September 15, 2012
Jaime MorenoPlayerForward3291311996–2002, 2004–2010September 14, 2013
Kevin PaynePresident/CEON/AN/AN/A1994–2001, 2004–2012October 2, 2015

Members by position

Players only.

Position Members
Midfielder4
Defender2
Forward2
Goalkeeper0

Members by nationality
Nation Members
 United States7
 Bolivia2
 El Salvador1
 Uruguay1

See also

References
  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. 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. "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. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/09/14/mls-legend-jaime-moreno-inducted-dc-uniteds-hall-tradition-halftime-la-galax
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