or the people throwing beer at each other." Located two miles from the US Capitol, at the confluence of several major streets, highways, and Metro lines, RFK has always been a convenient gathering place. The swooping, towering walls and noise-holding bowl can give a sense of theater to even the most ordinary match feel. And before Toronto, before Cascadia, before "the Blue Hell" in Kansas City, RFK was the place where the hardcores hopped. District Ultras. PHOTO BY: Pablo Maurer As a multipurpose venue that’s also hosted baseball, American football, concerts, and myriad other events, the east side of RFK’s lower bowl is a relatively lightweight stand designed to shift from sideline to third-base line depending on the configuration. When United were born, that led to the bouncing,– no one in MLS owns more hardware – and played their part in some big USMNT games, too, providing the backdrop to some incredible moments. – Charles Boehm

I sometimes wonder what will become of the wildlife, which has become the butt of so many jokes, but is just another thing that makes the place so otherworldly. Stray cats once took up residence under the "loud side" stands. One even got caught in the netting of practice goal, losing a leg to the stadium. A team employee rescued it and got it adopted. Its new owners named it "RFK" – what else? There are less cuddly animals that inhabit the place, too. The wasps that nest just above the press box can sometimes be a distraction when you're