View source for Screaming Eagles (MLS supporters association)

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox sport supporter group
|name         = Screaming Eagles
|image        = File:Screaming Eagles (D.C. United) logo.png
|caption      = 
|nickname     = 
|abbreviation = 
| established = 1995
|type         = [[Supporters' group]]
|team         = [[D.C. United]]
|motto        = 
|location     = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| stadium = [[Audi Field]]
|stand        = North Stands
|membership   = 1,000+
|colors       = Black and red
|affiliations = 
|website      = [http://www.screaming-eagles.com screaming-eagles.com]
}}

The '''Screaming Eagles''' are a [[Fan club|supporters club]] of the [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS) team [[D.C. United]] and of the [https://www.ussoccer.com/ United States national soccer teams]. The group was founded in 1995 by Matt Mathai,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/soccer-almanac/news/article/2011/08/22/dc-uniteds-first-fan-and-founder-screaming-eagles| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110826223524/http://www.mlssoccer.com/soccer-almanac/news/article/2011/08/22/dc-uniteds-first-fan-and-founder-screaming-eagles| archive-date = 2011-08-26| title = DC United's first fan and founder of the Screaming Eagles {{!}} MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> and in 2004 it incorporated as a registered [[501(c) organization|501(c) (4) non profit organization]].<ref>[http://screaming-eagles.com/the-club/license-plates/ Screaming Eagles website]</ref>

The Screaming Eagles are one of the most widely known MLS supporters clubs,<ref name="Salt Lake fan article">[http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2010/4/20/1433522/a-little-more-about-the-face-of-mls Real Salt Lake blog article citing Screaming Eagles as "impressive" example of MLS fan culture 4/20/10].</ref> and are commonly known for the songs and chants that they perform during games.<ref>[https://www.screaming-eagles.com/chants-songs Screaming Eagles - Song sheet]</ref> According to the Screaming Eagles website, the group has over 1,000 active members.

In addition to providing home game support for United, the Screaming Eagles are also known for bringing supporters to away matches. Over their history, the group has organized road trips to every MLS city for D.C. United road matches{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}}. Additionally, the group has run a road trip every four years to [[Mexico City]] for the fiercely contested [[CONCACAF]] World Cup qualifying match between the U.S. national team and the [[Mexico national football team|Mexico national team]] in [[Estadio Azteca]].<ref name="SE announcement of 2009 Mexico City trip">[http://screaming-eagles.com/2009/07/road-trip-to-mexico-city/ Club announcement of 2009 Mexico City trip].</ref><ref name="SE announcement of 2005 Mexico City trip">[http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167967 Club announcement of 2005 Mexico City trip, referencing 2001 trip].</ref>

[[File:Screaming eagles jersey tifo 2011APR10.jpg|thumb|left|Screaming Eagles celebrating a goal with a large jersey shaped overhead banner.]]

The Screaming Eagles have hosted tailgates prior to most home games through United's history. During the 20+ years that D.C. United played at RFK Stadium, tailgates were held in the stadium's Lot 8. The  However, the group has not announced if tailgates will continue at Audi Field.<ref>[https://www.screaming-eagles.com/tailgates Screaming Eagles - Tailgates]</ref> Screaming Eagles also provide members with soccer-related activities, including viewing parties, the SE Football Club, member get-togethers, and events with D.C. United players.<ref>[https://www.screaming-eagles.com/join-us Screaming Eagles - Membership]</ref>

During D.C. United's time at RFK, the most ardent supporters among SE members gathered in "The Nest" in Sections 132, 133 and 134, and "The Perch" in Sections 230, 231, and 232. Often spotted on television, "The Nest" and "The Perch" rolled with the cheers of excited Screaming Eagles members, keeping the spirits of the team and fellow supporters high regardless of the score. In the new stadium at Audi Field, the Supporters' Section has moved to the North Stands, and the Screaming Eagles have relocated "The Perch" to a section of sideline supporters' rows.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.screaming-eagles.com/perch|title=Screaming Eagles: The Perch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audifielddc.com/the-stadium|title=Audi Field's in-stadium experience}}</ref><ref>[https://screaming-eagles-online-shop.myshopify.com/pages/about-us Screaming Eagles - About Us]</ref>

Off the field, the Screaming Eagles place a high value on community outreach work.<ref>[https://www.screaming-eagles.com/community Screaming Eagles - Community Outreach]</ref> Over the years, they have worked with several charitable causes including Mike Petke's ''Kick the Violence Foundation'', The ''Eddie Pope Foundation'', ''DC SCORES'', and ''Kuykenstrong'', In 2018, the organization announced a partnership with local nonprofit organization [http://www.dcscores.org DC SCORES].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mi7O3z_8FRbhhnxzsllE7FZsw14s2gxN/view|title=Screaming Eagles: February 2018 Statement}}</ref>  DC SCORES supports kids in need in D.C. communities through after-school soccer programs, lessons in writing and performing poetry, and neighborhood community service activities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcscores.org/about-us/mission-and-history/|title=DC SCORES: Mission and History}}</ref> DC SCORES is also the official community partner of D.C. United.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcscores.org/about-us/dc-united/|title=DC SCORES: D.C. United Partnership}}</ref>

On June 12, 2010, as part of its commitment to supporting the [[United States men's national soccer team]], the Screaming Eagles provided financial support and assisted in organizing an outdoor World Cup viewing - known as "Soccer in the Circle" - in [[Dupont Circle]], Washington, D.C.<ref name="NBC4 article on event">[http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/events/Organizers_Push_For_DuPont_Circle_For_World_Cup_Finals-96316849.html NBCWashington.com article quoting club president on organizing plans].</ref>   This event culminated with several thousand attendees viewing the United States' match against England in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] and received extensive local,<ref name="Washington Post article on SITC 6/13/10">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/12/AR2010061204009.html Washington Post article on Soccer in the Circle 6/13/10].</ref> national,<ref name="NPR broadcast from Dupont">[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127799042 Transcript and audio from NPR story on Soccer in the Circle].</ref> and international <ref name="CNN SITC live shot 5/1/06">[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1006/12/cnr.07.html CNN transcript of live shot from Soccer in the Circle 6/12/10].</ref> media coverage.

Membership in the Screaming Eagles is open to anyone who would like to support D.C. United and promote soccer. Violence, racism, sexism, and homophobia are not tolerated and are grounds for expulsion from the club.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.screaming-eagles.com Screaming Eagles]

{{D.C. United}}

[[Category:Major League Soccer fan clubs]]
[[Category:D.C. United]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]