Major League Soccer just released “The Greatest 25” highlighting the most influential players to have graced the league since its creation in 1996. As one of the hotbeds for soccer talent in the country, the DMV area has seen countless players represent multiple MLS and European club teams and compete at the international level. On this list, 7 players with affiliation to the DMV soccer community are honored including, MSYSA alumnus Kyle Beckerman, who represented Potomac Soccer Club and Maryland ODP, and 6 legendary DC United players.
Kyle Beckerman (MF) from Crofton, MD, was part of a nationally ranked Potomac team. Beckerman is the all-time appearance leader (498) in MLS, competing for two decades with Miami Fusion, Colorado Rapids, and most notably Real Salt Lake. Beckerman won the MLS Cup in 2009 and was a mainstay in midfield for the US National Team in the 2014 World Cup.
Jaime Moreno (FW) holds legendary status in DC, holding the record for DC United appearances (283) and goals (120). In a DC United career spanning from 1996-2002 and 2004-2010, the Bolivian won 4 MLS Cups and appeared in the MLS Best XI five times. After retiring in 2010, Moreno joined DC United’s coaching staff. Moreno was the latest player to be inducted into DC United’s Hall of Tradition in 2013.
Another Bolivian and DC United original, Marco Etcheverry (FW), appeared in DC from 1996-2003 before returning to Bolivia to close out his career. In 191 league games for DC United, he scored 34 goals and registered 101 assists, winning 4 MLS Cups and appeared in the MLS Best XI 4 times. He held the franchise record for appearances and assists at the time of his departure from the club.
Eddie Pope (DF) played most of his MLS career in DC United colors. Another member of the inaugural DC United team, Pope, appeared in 143 games and scored 8 goals. Pope won 3 MLS Cups and was named MLS Defender of the year in 1997. He also had a stellar career for the USMNT, playing in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups amassing 82 caps.
Dwayne De Rosario (MF/FW) is one of the most decorated players in MLS history, winning 4 MLS cups. Despite not winning an MLS Cup in DC, his performances in the nation’s capital were arguably the best of his career. After arriving midway through the 2011 season, De Rosario played 17 games and scoring 13 goals, and registering 7 assists before being honored as the league MVP. In 2013, De Rosario helped DC United to a US Open Trophy before departing to Toronto FC. In 68 league appearances, De Rosario scored 23 goals in black and red.
Texas-raised Jeff Agoos (DF) had multiple ties to the DMV area throughout his career. Agoos played collegiately for the University of Virginia and signed his first professional contract in 1991 for the Maryland Bays of the defunct A-League. In 1996, Agoos joined DC United and went on to make 150+ appearances, including winning 3 MLS Cups before departing to San Jose in 2001.
Although most known for his longevity at Real Salt Lake, Nick Rimando (GK) played his early MLS career with DC United. From 2002-2006, Rimando appeared in 98 league matches and was part of the 2004 MLS Cup-winning squad. After the 2006 season, Rimando was traded to Real Salt Lake with Freddy Adu.