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. 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 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Open Cup and a CONCACAF Champions' League, 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. Jeff Agoos, 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. Raúl Díaz Arce, Díaz Arce and Danilo Noel Dirón, Dirón became the fourth and fifth inductees during a halftime ceremony while D.C. United faced the Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 12, 2009. Eddie Pope, Pope was inducted in the Hall at halftime ceremony during a 2–1 loss against the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 18, 2010.

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. 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. Before the induction ceremony D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne (soccer), Kevin Payne recognized Williams' accomplishments: 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 MLS Cup '96, 1996, MLS Cup '97, 1997, and MLS Cup '99, 1999 MLS Cup titles; the 1996 U.S. Open Cup championship; the 1997 and 1999 MLS Supporters Shield, Supporters Shields; and the 1998 CONCACAF Champions League, Champions Cup and Copa Interamericana, InterAmerican Cup victories. Williams played a final additional season with D.C. United in 2002.

2013 induction ceremony

On September 14, 2013, Jaime Moreno (footballer, born 1974), Jaime Moreno was inducted into the Hall of Tradition at halftime of a match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at RFK Stadium. 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

Members by position

Players only.

Members by nationality

References

External links

Hall of Tradition
page (D.C. United official website)
Eddie Pope Tribute
on YouTube
Richie Williams induction ceremony
on YouTube {{DEFAULTSORT:D.C. United Hall of Tradition members D.C. United, Tradition Lists of soccer players by club in the United States Association football museums and halls of fame Halls of fame in Washington, D.C. Sports hall of fame inductees Awards established in 2003 2003 establishments in Washington, D.C. Association football player non-biographical articles