‘It’s in the net!’ DC United bestows big honor on former WTOP sports director

D.C. United honors a well-beloved voice in D.C. sports, WTOP's Neal Augenstein reports.
Soccer broadcaster Dave Johnson and former D.C. United captain John Harkes embrace at a halftime ceremony at Audi Field in Southwest D.C. (Courtesy Cody Cervenka/DC United)

D.C. United honored a familiar voice in D.C.-area soccer and maybe even your commute — WTOP’s former sports director Dave Johnson.

In Saturday’s home opener against the New England Revolution, the team honored Johnson by naming Audi Field’s broadcast booth “The Dave Johnson Broadcast Booth.”

The team’s president of business operations Danita Johnson said Johnson has been a “cornerstone” of the D.C. United community from its beginning in 1996.

“His iconic voice has narrated this club’s history from RFK Stadium and four MLS Cups, all the way to Audi Field, our soccer-specific stadium that opened in 2018,” Danita Johnson said in a statement.

Dave Johnson Broadcast Booth
D.C. United named its broadcast booth in honor of Dave Johnson, who did play-by-play of its matches for over 27 years. (Courtesy Hannah Wagner/DC United)

He called play-by-play on TV for 27 years and became the radio voice for the club last year.

Johnson, who left WTOP amid voluntary buyouts in 2022, said he was overwhelmed by the kindness and love he received.

“I grew up going to Washington Diplomats games at RFK,” Johnson said. “Soccer is a unifying force and to be a part of a team — D.C. United — with unity in its name. It’s really been a dream come true.”

Johnson said the real joy of being behind the mic is the “ability to connect” with fans and supporters. His signature call, “It’s in the net!” has been synonymous with D.C. United, the team said.

WTOP’s Neal Augenstein contributed to this report. 

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Abigail Constantino

Abigail Constantino started her journalism career writing for a local newspaper in Fairfax County, Virginia. She is a graduate of American University and The George Washington University.

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