United to ascend
Leidos is the Presenting Partner of D.C. United, the most decorated franchise in Major League Soccer® (MLS), with 13 domestic and international trophies. Since 2014, the company's name and logo has graced United's jerseys and signage throughout RFK Stadium. As their partnership continues to evolve, both sides are enjoying significant growth during changing times.
Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos is a global science and technology leader providing solutions and services in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. Its 36,000 employees across 30 countries support vital missions for both commercial and government customers. With more than 9,000 employees in the National Capital region, Leidos is one of the area's largest employers.
"Working with Leidos over the past three years has been incredibly rewarding, and we continue to look for new ways to collaborate on innovative projects with a company that has been so influential in the growth of the sport here in our nation's capital," Jason Levien, Managing Partner of D.C. United, said. "Now in our fourth year of our partnership, and in such a pivotal and important year for the club, I'm excited for what's to come between Leidos and D.C. United."
A major merger in 2016 doubled the size of Leidos and expanded its portfolio of capabilities. As a result, the company is better-positioned to compete internationally and provide increased efficiency and affordability to its customers. Like Leidos, United are also preparing for an exciting future.
In Feb. 2017 the club broke ground on their new home: Audi Field. The state-of-the-art, soccer specific stadium along the Southwest D.C. Waterfront will have capacity for 20,000 fans, include 31 luxury suites and is scheduled to open in 2018.
The new stadium comes at a time when MLS is more competitive than ever. Since Leidos became United's Presenting Partner in 2014, four more franchises have joined MLS to bring the tally to 22 teams. United, however, remain one of the league's standard-bearers.
"Partnering with a tradition-rich team like D.C. United has raised our brand awareness not only in the National Capital area, but across the U.S. and internationally," said Roger Krone, Leidos Chairman and CEO. "But beyond that, our organizations have benefitted from working together, in business, on the field, and in the community."
United are the only MLS team to have captured the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, a regional tournament between North and Central American teams as well as Caribbean sides, and the Copa Interamericana, an annual club competition (discontinued in 1998) between Confederations of North, Central and South American teams along with the Caribbean. More recently, the Black-and-Red have qualified for the last three postseasons and captured the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2013.
While United chase more trophies for their collection, the team cares just as much about their work off the field. A cornerstone of the partnership between United and Leidos is their work together on several impactful community outreach initiatives. Chief among these efforts is the annual Armed Forces Week, which honors service members and their families.
"Both of our organizations are aligned around a common mission to do good in the community where our employees, and their staff and fans, live and work," said Mike Coogan, Leidos Director of Corporate Responsibility.
On the field and away from it, the bond between Leidos and D.C. United remains strong, with plenty of optimism for continued and shared success.
D.C. United, Major League Soccer, and MLS are registered trademarks of Major League Soccer, L.L.C. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
