Of the 22 men who represented the United States in the 1994 World Cup, 15 signed with Major League Soccer when play began in 1996. Combined with a handful of international stars, there was a strong selection of instantly recognizable talent to flaunt as an example of the quality in the fledgling league. But some of those players were at the end of their careers, and there was legitimate concern as to whether or not anybody would be able to fill their shoes upon their retirement.
Enter Eddie Pope.
The tall, quiet defender was D.C. United's first pick in the inaugural College Draft. In a pattern that would become familiar over the next 10 years, Pope spent much of his rookie season on national team duty, this time with the U-23 side in qualifying for, then playing in, the Olympics. But the lasting image from that year is the sight of him heading home the dramatic overtime game-winning goal to give D.C. United the 1996 MLS Cup.
Two weeks later, Pope was rewarded with his first cap for the full national team for a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago. He quickly rose to the challenges of the international game, and, with several others, proved to the world the caliber of player the new league was developing.
Before Pope, American defenders were, for the most part, big and physical, but slow. Pope brought speed and athleticism to the position, able to keep up with the fastest strikers in the region without sacrificing toughness.
Carlos Llamosa arrived in 1997 and the two formed an intuitive central defense partnership that lasted four years. Pope appeared in 29 games for United in 1997, scoring three goals and two assists, and winning the Defender of the Year honors. Most remarkably, he did not earn a single booking as United tore through the league en route to their second MLS Cup.
Continuing his tireless play on international front, Pope also won the Honda U.S. Player of the Year award for his exceptional play in World Cup qualifying, which included scoring a vital goal in a qualifier against archrivals Mexico.
Pope added to his reputation as the preeminent American defender in 1998. Despite the disastrous performance of the United States at the World Cup, Pope played with distinction and began to receive notice from top European clubs.
Although United failed to win their third consecutive MLS Cup, Pope's knack for goals in big games helped United to their biggest-ever triumphs that season. On Aug. 16, he slammed home a Marco Etcheverry corner kick for the lone goal in the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Toluca of Mexico, played at RFK Stadium, to earn United their first international trophy.
That victory earned them a place in the two-leg InterAmerican Cup against Brazil's Vasco Da Gama. United lost the first match 1-0, but scored early in the second on a goal by Tony Sanneh to bring United level on aggregate. In the 66th minute, Pope came through again, coolly slotting a Roy Lassiter pass off another Etcheverry corner past the goalkeeper to give United a 2-1 lead, and his excellent defending stymied the crafty Brazilian strikers to preserve the victory.
It was around this time that Pope began to take on a position as a role model in the community. He formed the Eddie Pope Foundation to work with at-risk children in Washington, and his hometown of High Point, N.C., using soccer as a springboard to an understanding about the world, nutrition and positive lifestyle choices.
Five weeks into the 1999 season, Pope broke a bone in his foot, causing him to miss nearly two months of action. Shortly upon his return, he sprained his left MCL and missed another month. But he returned to the lineup in early August, in time for the playoffs, as United captured their third MLS Cup in four years.
But the injury did not fully heal, and in April 2000 he underwent surgery to repair the MCL, causing him to miss another month. But he appeared in 21 games and, as in 1997, did not pick up a single card. That summer, qualifying for the 2002 World Cup got underway and Pope was healthy enough to play in three qualifiers, scoring in the 7-0 rout of Barbados.
Llamosa and longtime left back Jeff Agoos traded two months before the start of the 2001 season, leaving Pope as United's only experienced defender as coach Thomas Rongen looked to rebuild the team around youth. For much of the season United's defense was shaky, especially when Pope was with the national team. Pope played in 19 of 26 games for United, and six of 10 World Cup qualifiers.
In the last few weeks of the 2001 season, Rongen moved midfielder Ryan Nelsen to the backline to partner Pope, and they quickly formed a solid partnership that lasted into the 2002 season. But, as in 1998, the World Cup took Pope away from D.C. United, this time for six weeks as the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals. Pope played in only 17 games in 2002, his lowest-ever total for United.
Following the season, Pope was sent to the MetroStars in a trade that also sent Jaime Moreno and Richie Williams north and brought Mike Petke to D.C. Although he played well, not even his divine presence could lead United's archrivals to greatness, and he was traded to the expansion Real Salt Lake before the start of this season, where he serves as captain.
For club and country, Pope has performed with honor throughout his career, on and off the field. United fans have been fortunate to witness him grow from a shy rookie to an international star. When he retires, he will most likely be remembered as the greatest defender in American soccer history until, of course, the next Eddie Pope takes his place.
David Lifton is a contributor to dcunited.com. He is a member of the Screaming Eagles and longtime supporter of D.C. United.
