Eddie Pope had a very successful career playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels where he also kicked for Mack Brown's football team. In 1994, he was a first team All-American and also earned All-ACC and All-South Region honors. Pope is a former professional soccer player who last played for Real Salt Lake of the MLS and spent eleven years as a defender for the United States national team.

In 1996, D.C. United selected Pope in the first round (second overall) in the MLS College Draft. In 1997, Pope made quite a splash on the MLS scene being named MLS Defender of the Year and earned a place in the MLS Best XI, as well as winning a second MLS title. In 1998, Pope helped United win both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the InterAmerican Cup, the first continental honors earned by an MLS team. He scored the winning goal in United's victory in the Interamerican Cup. Pope started every game he played with the national team. His international career included 82 caps and 8 goals over an eleven-year period.

On August 3, 2006, Pope announced his retirement from international soccer. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Pope served as the director of player relations for the MLS Players Union following his playing retirement.