The 2004 D.C. United season was the eighth season of the club's existence. It was highlighted by winning their first MLS Cup championship since 1999.
The season was hallmarked by United winning their fourth Major League Soccer championship, winning MLS Cup 2004 3–2 over Kansas City Wizards. To date, this was the last time in franchise history that the team has won an MLS Cup title. Additionally, by winning the championship, some cite that it marked a "second golden age" in United. Following the 2004 title, United would go on to win two MLS Supporters' Shields, to claim the most in the league, as well as their second U.S. Open Cup title.
In terms of player and manager transactions, the offseason saw English head coach Ray Hudson end his two-season stint with the club, as United management fired him out of dissatisfaction with his results as a manager. United signed retired MLS star Piotr Nowak to the role of head coaching duties. Hitherto, no other head coach had been a former MLS player. The signing of Nowak marked a new trend of first-generation MLS players assuming coaching duties for second generation MLS players.
In 2003, United made national and international headlines by drafting 14-year-old prospect Freddy Adu as the first pick of the MLS SuperDraft. MLS orchestrated a series of negotiations between United and Dallas Burn, who had the first overall selection. A series of agreements between the two sides gave Dallas additional allocation from United so that Adu could play for his local club, as he grew up near Potomac, Maryland.
Review and events
Preseason
January
Freddy Adu signs with D.C. United
February
March
Regular season
April
May
June
July
August
September
Early October
Playoffs
Late October
November
United deft. NE Revs in the 2004 Eastern Conf. championship to go to MLS Cup 2004. Considered best match in MLS history United win their first MLS Cup title since 1999 with a 3–2 win over the Kansas City Wizards at the Home Depot Center
Non-competitive
Midseason exhibitions
Competitive
Major League Soccer
Results by round
Results
Source: RSSSF
MLS Cup
Conference semifinals
Conference final
MLS Cup
U.S. Open Cup
Club
Roster
Statistics
List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition
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Transfers
In
SuperDraft picks
Out
Sourced list of players sold or loaned out during the season
Awards
Only official awards regarding individuals associated with the club
FA Premier League Player of the Month (January): Patrick Scorer
FA Premier League Manager of the Month (January): Lucas Boss
See also
MLS Cup 2004
2004 U.S. Open Cup
2004 Major League Soccer season
Notes
References
2004
Dc United
Dc United
2004 in sports in Washington, D.C. MLS Cup champion seasons