D.C. United had to wait over twenty years to open a stadium that was truly their own. The first game at Audi Field had a lot going on, including Wayne Rooney’s MLS debut, multiple top-notch goals, and a win for the home team. It wasn’t perfect, at least for some of us, but that doesn’t make it a night to forget. Here’s a look back on the sights on a unique night in United’s history.
- The field before warm-ups began Caitlin Buckley
- Fans walk into Audi Field as the gates open Caitlin Buckley
- Fans walk around Audi Field before the game began Caitlin Buckley
- Fans walk around the west side concourse before the game Caitlin Buckley
- Fans wait for concessions on the upper deck Caitlin Buckley
- People walk to their seats on the east side of the stadium with a view of Nationals Park behind them. Caitlin Buckley
- Wayne Rooney warms up before his D.C. United debut Caitlin Buckley
- Wayne Rooney warms up before his D.C. United debut Caitlin Buckley
- Players walk onto the field Caitlin Buckley
- The first touch Caitlin Buckley
- Fans cheer following D.C. United’s first goal at Audi Field Caitlin Buckley
- Alphonso Davies makes a run in the first half. Caitlin Buckley
- Efrain Juarez collides Caitlin Buckley
- Players vie for a Vancouver free kick Caitlin Buckley
- Fans watch the game Caitlin Buckley
- Wayne Rooney enters Caitlin Buckley
- Wayne Rooney gestures Caitlin Buckley
- Luciano Acosta runs in for a ball Caitlin Buckley
- Celebrating Paul Arriola’s goal in the 69th minute Caitlin Buckley
- Supporters celebrate D.C.’s second goal of the game Caitlin Buckley
- Zoltan Stieber struggles for the ball Caitlin Buckley
- Celebrating Arriola’s second goal and the game’s third goal Caitlin Buckley
- Paul Arriola goes for a header Caitlin Buckley
- After the header Caitlin Buckley
- Vancouver goalkeeper Brian Rowe looks on as the game draws to a 3-1 close. Caitlin Buckley
Words by Jason Anderson, photos by Caitlin Buckley
Next Up In D.C. United Stadium News
- A sampling of D.C. United’s new food offerings at Audi Field
- Loudoun County approves D.C. United training facility, USL stadium
- Spirit to face Portland Thorns at Audi Field on August 25
- D.C. United breaks through the last barrier at Buzzard Point groundbreaking ceremony
- D.C. United really did break ground on a stadium
- D.C. United land Audi in one of the biggest stadium naming rights deals in MLS