The stadium that served its greatest purpose as D.C. United’s home stadium and hosted the men’s U.S. national team more often than not. Costing 24 million dollars, in construction, having a capacity of 46,000, and opening in 1961, Robert Francis Kennedy stadium opened to host baseball, football, and concerts. Now, after more than 56 years of timeless, memory-making events, D.C. United prepares for their next season as they move to Audi stadium.

D.C. United played their last home game at RFK against the New York Red Bulls and unfortunately lost by a score of 2 goals to 1. The east-side stands bounced and shook under the passion under the Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava, and District Ultras. According to United’s one and only Ben Olsen who spent 12 years playing there, “The soul is real.” “This building still has more character than any place in the country.”

Over the years, it was the only stadium to host all of the following events. North American Soccer Leagues Soccer Bowl in 1980, the 1994 World Cup (Norway 1-0 Mexico, Netherlands 2-1 Saudi Arabia, Italy 1-1 Mexico, Group of 16: Spain 3-0 Switzerland), a 1996 Olympic group stage, 3 MLS Cups, and the Women’s World Cup 2003 (United States 3-1 Sweden, Brazil 3-1 Korea, Norway 1-3 Brazil, France 1-0 Korea, France 1-1 Brazil, Argentina 1-6 Germany).

MLS soccer team D.C. United made their home at RFK in 1996 and had 22 memorable seasons and will have many to come next summer in Audi field. United played 374 total regular season games in RFK. Fortunately, RFK is not at the end of its road as United plans to rent out the stadium and use the outer fields for their practices until a training facility is built. Next spring is when the office completely moves to Audi field along with other events that take place there.