Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but to clarify: 1) Nike never created a uniform for DC 2) Nike wanted the team to be the Washington Revolution 3) When we rejected Revolution, Reebok/New England asked for right to use it which was granted (obviously) 4) Buy me a beer next time you see me and I'll fill you in all all the early decisions on team names etc.
Knave - I always thought the "Uniteds" in UK are from two or more clubs that merged. This obviously was not the case with Man U, so thanks for sharing that. I guess that gets DCU off the hook then for a name that never quite made sense. btw, look at a sampling of youth travel club teams across the country and I bet the name "United" has any other name beaten by at least 2 to 1.
Mr. Zack, good of you to show up in this discussion. I just have one question, how much can you drink? Because if you are asking for one beer from "all of us" or one from each of us... See you on Friday at the Exchange?
I think Mike Lastort posted that link about Man U long ago. I keep it bookmarked now for whenever these discussions come up. It shuts the Eurosnob-DC-United-has-no-right-to-that-name crowd right up.
Excellent SZ! I look forward to buying you a beer! Actually, I think the Revolution is one of the coolest names in MLS. After DC United, it's my second favorite. But I definitely prefer United and DC is a lot better than Washington. Plus, there is just so much right sounding about "DC United" it just oozes soccer, tradition, nationalism, a coming together of cultures and areas. -Tron
Yea, Washington Revolution just rolls off the tongue... Washington Revolution clap clap clapclapclap! Much better than: DC United clap clap clapclapclap! I think we'd lose half of the Barra after the Washington...
The coyright to the term 'United' for a soccer team was originally held by a minor-league team, and was not available. The poll was conducted by telephone to DC United, or on Matt Mathai's web site. The name was originally to be chosen sort of like a Chinese menu, i.e. "one from Column A, and one from Column B" Column A had two choices: Washington and DC Column B had three choices: Justice, Force, and Spies. Picture us as the "DC Spies" or as the totally WUSA-like Washington Force. AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! The way the name was actually chosen remains a closely held secret. Thank God we are DC United.
From Feb 2003 to Yesterday. That might be a record. I'm still think that AC DC would have been a fun name until the inevitable lawsuit (aaahhh the WIZ!). Tim
The three choices were "United" "Justice" andf "Force" and the choice of city was "DC" and "Washington." The day before the first ad for the poll was taken out, I was at a mailing party for the DC soccer games that were part of the Pympics. The guy running the office told us about the poll, and I shouted out that the name should be the "Fillerbusters" I really voted for the "Washington Force" (please do not hurt me). Anyway, rumor had it that Payne and a few of the other people involved wanted "United" as they were something of soccer traditionalists and thougt the other names silly marketing people names and that they were just using the poll to create some publicity for the team.
Maybe Kev had just watched Triumph Of The Will. Germany (the country) went with a black, white and red color scheme back in the 30s, and their football team has pretty much stuck with black-white through thick and thin. I'm just glad you chose United, and not Vereinigt. It's the Reichsadler gracing your shield that worries me. It's a traditional look, no doubt about it.
You're all nuts. Payne wanted it to be DC Untied, but someone was dyslexic in the front office and you all know the rest...........