The Barra Brava, one of D.C. United's more passionate fan groups, stood proudly at the end of the match to give one last serenade to one of their heroes, Eddie Pope, who is retiring at the end of this season.
The smooth center back is in a Real Salt Lake uniform now but they chanted "Eddie Pope" as he saluted them from the center circle as he walked off the RFK Stadium field for the last time in his illustrious career.
"It's an exciting day to be back in this stadium. It was very, very nice. I felt so at home. I really enjoyed it. D.C. is first class," said the 33-year-old Pope.
Real has had no less than five former United players on their roster this season, including Freddy Adu, who left for Portuguese power Benfica on the last day of July.
United fans seem to have a special bond with their players past and present, regardless of what uniform they wear.
"They are more emotionally excited to play in a match like this. It's a fantastic crowd and they know it and they receive former United players pretty well," said Real coach Jason Kreis.
The newer legions of United's fans remember Adu, Alecko Eskandarian and Nick Rimando, who were all on the 2004 D.C. United team that led the club's return to prominence.
The forgotten man of the bunch is Carey Talley, who was on United's 1999 championship team but also suffered through their lowest points in 2000-01.
"The fans here gave me a little chant. D.C. holds a special part of my heart," said Nick Rimando. They cheered "Nicky, Nicky, Nicky" as he made his way to his goal at the south end of the stadium to start the match.
He also exchanged shirts with his good friend Ben Olsen, who presided over his wedding to former Washington Freedom player Jacqui Little.
Eskandarian apparently needed a compass to get around the venerable old stadium.
"I was lost to be honest with you, I went in through the home locker room (entrance) and the guys were like 'where are you going' and it was like 'oh man.' It was a weird feeling," said Eskandarian, who was traded to Toronto FC from United in the offseason, before moving to Real during the year.
"At some point you have to let go. The fans have been such a big part of my career so I can't help but have love for them. This definitely became a home for me," he continued. "It was special for me to come back here and see all my old friends, old fans and my old stomping grounds. It would have been sweet to be able to score today."
Chris Snear is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
