WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite a 0-1 defeat at the hands of the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night, D.C. United has claimed the 2006 Supporters' Shield for the third time in club history. The award is given to the Major League Soccer team with the best record - the most standings points - at the end of the regular season. The Supporters' Shield title also ensures United will represent the United States and MLS in the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The Black-and-Red will be presented the trophy at next Saturday's home game vs. the New England Revolution. D.C. United previously claimed a top seed in the upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs.
D.C. United officially earned the 2006 Supporters' Shield when FC Dallas fell 3-1 to the Columbus Crew on Saturday night. Though FC Dallas (15-11-4, 49) stand just six points behind United, they can only match the Black-and-Red with two wins and would lose a tie-breaker to United, the result of head-to-head competition this season. United beat FC Dallas 1-0 on July 4 after an early season draw between the clubs.
At 15-5-10 (55 points), the Black-and-Red stands three points shy of their highest single-season point total in club history. United has a chance to eclipse the 1998 team's 58 point total (24-8 record - seven shootout wins) with two home games remaining - Oct. 7 versus the Revolution and Oct. 15 versus the Chicago Fire.
United has made six previous appearances (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2005) in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup - most in MLS history. The Black-and-Red won the tournament in 1998, defeating CD Toluca of Mexico in the final.
By claiming the 2006 Supporters' Shield, D.C. United have now won the award more than any other team in MLS history. The team also lifted the Supporters' Shield in 1997 and 1999. Previous winners of the Supporters' Shield are as follows:
1996: Tampa Bay Mutiny
1997: D.C. United
1998: Los Angeles Galaxy
1999: D.C. United
2000: Kansas City Wizards
2001: Miami Fusion
2002: Los Angeles Galaxy
2003: Chicago Fire
2004: Columbus Crew
2005: San Jose Earthquakes
2006: D.C. United
