20 October 1996 - That's Not Really A Cup, Though, Now Is It?

On 20 October 1996, DC United rallied from a two-goal deficit to win the first MLS Cup over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

LA and DC finished with the second- and third-best records, respectively, in that first MLS season, behind the Tampa Bay Mutiny. In the playoffs, the Galaxy advanced with wins over the San Jose Clash and the Kansas City Wiz, while DC reached the final by beating the NY/NJ MetroStars and Tampa Bay.

They met at a rainy Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts, where LA striker Eduardo Hurtado gave his team an early lead with a 4th-minute goal. His teammate, midfielder Chris Armas then doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a goal that appeared to secure the trophy for the Galaxy.

But DC came storming back late in the second half, getting scores from substitute midfielders Tony Sanneh (72') and Shawn Medved (81') to send the match into extra time, where a 94th-minute goal from United defender Eddie Pope sealed the comeback victory.

DC went on to appear in the next three MLS Cup finals, repeating as champions in 1997 and winning it for a third time in a 1999 rematch with the Galaxy.

5 December 1998 - Pope Blesses DC's Trophy Cabinet

On 5 December 1998, DC United overcame a first-leg deficit to win the final Copa Interamericana.

Since 1968, the Copa Interamericana had matched the winners of South America's Copa Libertadores against the CONCACAF Champions Cup holder, though the tournament was not played every year. The 1998 edition featured a match-up unique in the Cup's history, pairing the tournament's first Brazilian team--Vasco da Gama--against its first US side--DC United.

Vasco won the first leg, played at DC's RFK Stadium in November, with a solitary goal from midfielder Felipe. Although Vasco were the ostensible hosts for the second leg, it was played at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Vasco arrived having just lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup four days earlier.

The match was scrappy, with the referee issuing yellow cards to players from both sides within the first 15 minutes. DC drew level on aggregate with a 34th-minute strike from midfielder Tony Sanneh. Vasco manager Antônio Lopes made some drastic changes at halftime, withdrawing midfielder Juninho and forward Luizão for substitutes Guilherme and Vitor, but it was DC who moved ahead with a goal from defender Eddie Pope in the 77th minute.

That was the last Copa Interamericana, as CONCACAF teams started competing in CONMEBOL competitions, making the tournament redundant.

20 October 1996 - That's Not Really A Cup, Though, Now Is It?

On 20 October 1996, DC United rallied from a two-goal deficit to win the first MLS Cup over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

LA and DC finished with the second- and third-best records, respectively, in that first MLS season, behind the Tampa Bay Mutiny. In the playoffs, the Galaxy advanced with wins over the San Jose Clash and the Kansas City Wiz, while DC reached the final by beating the NY/NJ MetroStars and Tampa Bay.

They met at a rainy Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts, where LA striker Eduardo Hurtado gave his team an early lead with a 4th-minute goal. His teammate, midfielder Chris Armas then doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a goal that appeared to secure the trophy for the Galaxy.

But DC came storming back late in the second half, getting scores from substitute midfielders Tony Sanneh (72') and Shawn Medved (81') to send the match into extra time, where a 94th-minute goal from United defender Eddie Pope sealed the comeback victory.

DC went on to appear in the next three MLS Cup finals, repeating as champions in 1997 and winning it for a third time in a 1999 rematch with the Galaxy.

5 December 1998 - Pope Blesses DC's Trophy Cabinet

On 5 December 1998, DC United overcame a first-leg deficit to win the final Copa Interamericana.

Since 1968, the Copa Interamericana had matched the winners of South America's Copa Libertadores against the CONCACAF Champions Cup holder, though the tournament was not played every year. The 1998 edition featured a match-up unique in the Cup's history, pairing the tournament's first Brazilian team--Vasco da Gama--against its first US side--DC United.

Vasco won the first leg, played at DC's RFK Stadium in November, with a solitary goal from midfielder Felipe. Although Vasco were the ostensible hosts for the second leg, it was played at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Vasco arrived having just lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup four days earlier.

The match was scrappy, with the referee issuing yellow cards to players from both sides within the first 15 minutes. DC drew level on aggregate with a 34th-minute strike from midfielder Tony Sanneh. Vasco manager Antônio Lopes made some drastic changes at halftime, withdrawing midfielder Juninho and forward Luizão for substitutes Guilherme and Vitor, but it was DC who moved ahead with a goal from defender Eddie Pope in the 77th minute.

That was the last Copa Interamericana, as CONCACAF teams started competing in CONMEBOL competitions, making the tournament redundant.