The 2003 D.C. United season was the clubs' ninth year of existence, as well as their seventh season in Major League Soccer.
Led by Ray Hudson, D.C. United's 2003 campaign was highlighted by the club's return to the MLS Cup Playoffs, their first postseason appearance since 1999. In the playoffs, United who didn't qualify for the playoffs until the final day of the regular season, took on the Eastern Conference regular season champions, Chicago Fire. The Fire defeated United 4–0 on aggregates in the conference semifinals, winning each leg by a 2–0 margin of victory.
Background
Squad No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Apps Goals Assists Signed from Goalkeepers1Doug WarrenGK 18Nick RimandoGK 28Clint Baumstark GK Wingers8 Hristo Stoichkov Strikers11 Alecko Eskandarian 17 Ali Curtis 19 Devin Barclay 27 Ronald Cerritos 29 Thiago Martins
Review
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November On November 1, 2003, D.C. United played their first playoff match in nearly four years, entering the 2003 MLS Cup Playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. In the Conference semifinals, United faced the Eastern Conference regular season champions, Chicago Fire. The two-match, aggregate series was first contested at United's RFK Stadium. The match ended in a 2–0 defeat thanks to goals from the Fire's Andy Williams and Ante Razov in the 4th and 94th minutes, respectively.
A week later, on November 9, 2003, the second leg was played at Chicago Fire's Soldier Field, where the Fire defeated United by the same 2–0 scoreline, thus ultimately winning the series 4–0 on aggregate, and advancing to the Eastern Conference championship. The defeat ended United's playoff campaign and their season altogether.
Non-competitive Preseason exhibitions
Midseason exhibitions
Competitive
Overall
Major League Soccer
Standings Eastern Conference
Overall table
Results summary
Results by round
Match results
MLS Cup Playoffs
U.S. Open Cup
Club
Statistics Appearances and goals Numbers after plus–sign (+) denote appearances as a substitute.
Transfers
MLS SuperDraft picks
D.C. United made a total of seven selections in the 2003 MLS Draft. Five of the draft picks were ultimately signed for the 2003 season.
Round Selection Player Position College Status11 Alecko Eskandarian FW Virginia Signed to first team 1 5 David Stokes DF North Carolina Signed to first team 2 11 Brian Carroll MF Wake Forest Signed with first team 2 14 Doug Warren GK Clemson Signed with first team 4 31 Hayden Woodworth MF Messiah Did not sign 5 41 John Swann DF Indiana Did not sign 6 51 Michael Behonick GK American Signed with first team
See also 2003 in American soccer 2003 Major League Soccer season 2003 U.S. Open Cup D.C. United List of D.C. United seasons
References