On April 6, 1996, the San Jose Clash hosted D.C. United at Spartan Stadium in the very first game in MLS history. More than 31,000 were on hand for the occasion, and they nearly went home disappointed as the game was scoreless for the first 88 minutes.
Cue Mr. Eric Wynalda:
With that, the league was on its way—and the final that year was even more dramatic: Eddie Pope won MLS Cup ’96 for D.C. United with an overtime header in the rain in Foxborough, Mass.
Fifteen years later, and Real Salt Lake is set to play in the CONCACAF Champions League final later this month. We’ve come a long way.
