DC United to Baltimore?

[gueman]

Just tossing this out there from the Baltimore Sun this afternoon. Maryland Stadium Authority asked to explore a soccer only stadium in Baltimore, to woo DC United.

[The_Admiral]

Stick them in the middle, in Laurel or something. "Washington-Baltimore United" sounds nice.

[BrySmalls]

Stick them in the middle, in Laurel or something. "Washington-Baltimore United" sounds nice.

D.C. United tried exploring options in Prince George's County earlier in the year. Why is it so hard to build a SSS near RFK?

[crashcarson15]

Stick them in the middle, in Laurel or something. "Washington-Baltimore United" sounds nice.

D.C. United tried exploring options in Prince George's County earlier in the year. Why is it so hard to build a SSS near RFK?

That's a very good question... or why can't they tear down RFK, have United play in Landover for two years while they build a SSS near RFK?

[BrySmalls]

Stick them in the middle, in Laurel or something. "Washington-Baltimore United" sounds nice.

D.C. United tried exploring options in Prince George's County earlier in the year. Why is it so hard to build a SSS near RFK?

That's a very good question... or why can't they tear down RFK, have United play in Landover for two years while they build a SSS near RFK?

I'm thinking since the taxpayers are fitting the bill for Nats Park, a similar battle could occur between the soccer club and the taxpayers and essentially make D.C. Divided.

[gueman]

To me Montgomery County MD seems to be the best choice as far as demographics go. But it would also be the most expensive option as well. I think Mayor Dixon by asking the MSA to get involved could be opening a can of worms. So far the MSA has served the entire state and not really put its self in a position picking one area over another for facilities locations. This could do just that, although, and I have not really followed this closely, the suburban DC counties are not jumping at the chance. While DC does have a much larger international population, Baltimore has a much longer and supportive soccer tradition. So who knows.

[cappital92]

I went to the Chelsea- AC Milan game this summer, and M&T Bank Stadium looked like it'd make a good temporary stadium. They could play there or at Unitas Stadium in the short term. However, I think that D.C. United should try to stay in the metro area as long as they can. But, worse comes to worse, Baltimore would make a damn good home for them, and as a United fan, I'd still be happy.

[calhof2007]

If they do move to Baltimore, it would be cool if they were renamed as the Baltimore Blast.

[BrySmalls]

If they do move to Baltimore, it would be cool if they were renamed as the Baltimore Blast.

I believe there would be a problem with that.

[The_Admiral]

Another problem is that "Baltimore Blast" sounds like either an indoor seven-man football team, or drug slang.

Speaking of drugs, I'm high on my "Washington-Baltimore United" suggestion. It unites both major cities of the #4 Combined Statistical Area, which is truer to the concept of a "United" team name than just calling a team that because that's like what they call some of them in England or something I think. Just plunk a little stadium in the suburbs, build it so it can function as a concert venue, and you've got yourself a development.

Holy crap the Twins just won and I almost peed myself a little

[crashcarson15]

Admiral, I like the sound of Baltimore-Washington United better

[leopard88]

As much as I'd love to see an MLS team in Baltimore, this seems like a non-starter to me. I agree with gueman that Montgomery County provides a great demographic match, however I'm not sure where you could put a stadium of that size.

Since P.G. County seems to have said "Thanks, but no thanks," perhaps Anne Arundel County would work. There may be room near Laurel Park (on the A.A. County side of town) or near Arundel Mills, but of which would have reasonable highway access. I've also always thought Annapolis would be an interesting location. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium seats about 35,000 and has already hosted Olympic soccer (1984) -- problem solved without having to build a new venue.

[Saturn]

I rather we keep DCU as the name. Or Mid Atlantic United if there HAS to be a change.

[leopard88]

I rather we keep DCU as the name. Or Chesapeake United if there HAS to be a change.

Fixed it for you.

[JQK]

Baltwash United

[gueman]

As much as I'd love to see an MLS team in Baltimore, this seems like a non-starter to me. I agree with gueman that Montgomery County provides a great demographic match, however I'm not sure where you could put a stadium of that size.

Since P.G. County seems to have said "Thanks, but no thanks," perhaps Anne Arundel County would work. There may be room near Laurel Park (on the A.A. County side of town) or near Arundel Mills, but of which would have reasonable highway access. I've also always thought Annapolis would be an interesting location. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium seats about 35,000 and has already hosted Olympic soccer (1984) -- problem solved without having to build a new venue.

Winner winner Chicken Dinner! The only issues are with any potential schedule and field issues with Navy Football and getting to the venue. But they played in RFK with the Skins so that is a minor issue I guess. And Chesapeake United is dead on as well.

[illwauk]

Speaking of drugs, I'm high on my "Washington-Baltimore United" suggestion. It unites both major cities of the #4 Combined Statistical Area, which is truer to the concept of a "United" team name than just calling a team that because that's like what they call some of them in England or something I think.

Excellent point... hadn't thought of that.

Put me on board with "Baltimore-DC United." The city the team would play in should come first and it keeps "DC United" as part of their name.

[Sodboy13]

Another problem is that "Baltimore Blast" sounds like either an indoor seven-man football team, or drug slang.

Or a side effect of getting into some bad crabcakes.

[BaltimoreFan]

Since P.G. County seems to have said "Thanks, but no thanks," perhaps Anne Arundel County would work. There may be room near Laurel Park (on the A.A. County side of town) or near Arundel Mills, but of which would have reasonable highway access. I've also always thought Annapolis would be an interesting location. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium seats about 35,000 and has already hosted Olympic soccer (1984) -- problem solved without having to build a new venue.

For Anne Arundel County, Laurel Park could work. Maybe the Crofton area too, as that seems to be around the split between Baltimore and Washington fan allegiance. Howard County could also work since it is also sort of in the middle and loaded money wise. However some of the residents there are sort of uppity and may do anything possible to keep a stadium out. It definitely be neat to see a soccer stadium built somewhere around here. I didn't care much about this situation until now.

If it is built it Baltimore I'd be curious to know how it would be funded. There is also supposed to be a new arena built in the near future. Seems like a lot for the city to undertake all at once.

[gueman]

Since P.G. County seems to have said "Thanks, but no thanks," perhaps Anne Arundel County would work. There may be room near Laurel Park (on the A.A. County side of town) or near Arundel Mills, but of which would have reasonable highway access. I've also always thought Annapolis would be an interesting location. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium seats about 35,000 and has already hosted Olympic soccer (1984) -- problem solved without having to build a new venue.

For Anne Arundel County, Laurel Park could work. Maybe the Crofton area too, as that seems to be around the split between Baltimore and Washington fan allegiance. Howard County could also work since it is also sort of in the middle and loaded money wise. However some of the residents there are sort of uppity and may do anything possible to keep a stadium out. It definitely be neat to see a soccer stadium built somewhere around here. I didn't care much about this situation until now.

If it is built it Baltimore I'd be curious to know how it would be funded. There is also supposed to be a new arena built in the near future. Seems like a lot for the city to undertake all at once.

They would most likely use the lottery as they do now. Remember it won't have to be a mega stadium but a nice 25K venue. I still like Leopard88 idea of using Navy Marine Corps Stadium. If they had to build new there is a lot of state owned land by Laurel Park. Remember that is were JKC wanted to put the Skins back in the day to shut Baltimore out of the NFL. Howard could work and if they could find a place. If they built it the right way it could replace MM Post Pavilion too. I am kinda shocked that no one from NOVA has offered a location yet.