On Saturday, October 4, D.C. United hosted Charlotte FC at Audi Field for Fan Appreciation Night, a matchday dedicated to celebrating the heartbeat of the club - the supporters - who stood tall throughout a difficult season.
By D.C. United’s standards, 2025 was hard to accept. The results fell short, the table did not reflect the ambitions of the club, and performances failed to meet the expectations of a team defined by historical success. Yet through every high and low, one thing remained constant: the passion of the Black-and-Red faithful.
Despite the challenges, Audi Field was home to moments that reminded everyone why the supporters matter so much. Time and again, they brought the noise to uplift the team. The night ended in a 1-0 loss to Charlotte FC, but the fans were as loud as ever. Following the match, captain Christian Benteke addressed the supporters, and players walked the perimeter of the field, signing autographs and spending time with fans to show their gratitude for a year of unwavering support.
That unwavering connection between the team and its fans had defined the season from the very beginning. Through setbacks and triumphs alike, the supporters filled Audi Field in an attempt to spur on their team.
On March 8, that connection was on display. Trailing 1–0 against Sporting Kansas City, Christian Benteke equalized in the 60th minute before Hosei Kijima struck for the winner just eight minutes later. The stadium erupted as fans celebrated turning a difficult night into one of the season’s most memorable victories. Less than two months later, on May 3, the story repeated itself against Colorado: Benteke once again leveled the score before Kijima delivered the decisive blow, each goal seemingly willed into the net by the Audi Field faithful.
“The fans never stop believing in us, even when the game isn’t going our way,” Benteke reflected. “That belief gives us strength. You hear them behind you, and it pushes you to fight until the end.”
The season also offered a glimpse of the future. On August 23, 21-year-old Homegrown Jackson Hopkins wore the captain’s armband against Inter Miami, a surreal milestone for a player who once watched from those very stands as a kid. Hopkins scored the opener in the 13th minute, igniting the crowd, and followed it up with another goal in the next home match against Orlando City on September 13. His growth unfolded in real time, embodying the pathway from the stands to the pitch that defines D.C. United’s identity.
“Those moments are what this club is built on,” said defender Lucas Bartlett. “To see a kid who grew up in the stands now leading us on the field, it reminds you of the connection between this team and its supporters. Audi Field feels special because of the people in it.”
The impact of the D.C. United community extends far beyond matchdays. Through the D.C. United Foundation and the club’s community initiatives, fans have been integral to efforts that stretch across the District. Alongside staff, players, and volunteers, supporters are helping make a real difference in neighborhoods throughout the city.
For the players, the sense of love and togetherness off the field resonates just as deeply as the energy in the stands. Being part of D.C. United means being part of something larger than 90 minutes on a Saturday night.
The reality is that there have been too many lows in 2025. But the players and staff know that the low times only make the highs more meaningful. Under Head Coach René Weiler, a renewed sense of purpose and identity is beginning to take shape. Ownership has committed to providing the resources to strengthen the roster this winter, setting the stage for 2026 to be a year of renewal and resurgence.
Fan Appreciation Night is about more than giveaways or tributes. It’s about recognizing the people who carry the soul of this club through every storm. It’s about celebrating the supporters who transform Audi Field into a fortress, no matter the scoreline.
This season will not be remembered for trophies or playoff runs. But it should be remembered for something just as important: the unshakable loyalty of the Black-and-Red faithful. As the team pushes toward the finish line and looks ahead to 2026, one thing is certain, D.C. United does not take its supporters for granted.
On Saturday, the spotlight belonged to you, the fans. Because through thick and thin, you have never stopped showing up. And when the good times return — as they always do — they will be even sweeter because of the journey we’ve taken together.