Holy shit, I get it now.

I get it now! It's more than a little embarrassing how it took me so long to figure it out, but:

I now understand why DC United, as an organization, worked so tirelessly to drive off all their old, long-time supporters and fans.

The issue is that the folks whose memories of DC United stretch back 17 years or more have strong memories of the organization being comprehensively good. Of being the team that the League held up as an example. Of not being embarrassing in every way...

Holy shit, I get it now.