Óscar Pareja takes over as the new head coach of D.C. United, bringing a multiyear contract and a 2016 MLS Coach of the Year resume to the Black-and-Red ahead of the 2027 Major League Soccer Sprint Season, D.C. United announced on Saturday.
The 58-year-old manager arrives in Washington with more than a decade of MLS head coaching experience, having guided his teams to the playoffs in 10 of his last 11 full MLS seasons. His extensive career spans stints with the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, and Orlando City SC, alongside a stint leading Club Tijuana in Liga MX.
“Óscar is a proven leader in Major League Soccer with an established track record of building competitive teams, developing talent and achieving success at the highest level,” Dr. Erkut Sogut, D.C. United Managing Director of Soccer Operations, said.
Pareja spent six seasons at the helm of Orlando City SC from 2020 to 2026, building the club into a perennial contender and recording 103 victories across all competitions to become the winningest head coach in club history. Before his arrival, Orlando City had never reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but Pareja immediately changed that trajectory by guiding the club to six consecutive postseason appearances.
His resume also features a Supporters’ Shield and two U.S. Open Cup titles. During his tenure with FC Dallas from 2014 to 2018, he compiled a 78-49-43 regular-season record and captured a historic domestic double in 2016 by winning both the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield.
As a player, the Colombian-born midfielder made 385 appearances in his native country with Independiente Medellín and Deportivo Cali before moving to Major League Soccer in 1998. He played for the New England Revolution and later the Dallas Burn, making 196 appearances while scoring 13 goals and recording 33 assists, and also earned 11 caps with the Colombian National Team between 1991 and 1996.
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