The 2001 D.C. United season was the clubs' seventh year of existence, as well as their sixth season in Major League Soccer.
For the second-consecutive year in franchise history, United failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, previously winning in making the finals in the four tournaments beforehand. The club also played in the CONCACAF Giants Cup where they finished second to Club America of Mexico.
United's MLS regular season was cut short after 26 matches due to the September 11 attacks, it would the last time a United game was suspended until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The 2000 D.C. United season marked the first time in club history that the franchise failed to not only reach the MLS Cup final, but failed to make the MLS Cup Playoffs altogether. Throughout the club's fifth ever campaign, United posted a losing record of eight wins, eighteen losses and six ties; earning the eleventh best record in the twelve-team league. Despite the poor performance, Dutch manager, Thomas Rongen, remained at the helm of the club coaching staff.