When he immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2002, Israel Lopez got a job in Washington and made himself a D.C. United fan. His note to self: Watch United on TV and attend matches, whether the club was sliding or surging. He’d refuse to let the players on the field dictate his fandom or enjoyment.
He doesn’t wear a United jersey with a player’s name on the back because he doesn’t want to root or show appreciation merely for one player. He wants to cheer the whole team. That won’t change, he said, even when star playmaker Wayne Rooney departs after this season.