Over the last week and a half, I’ve seen and heard a lot of thoughts about DC United’s recent deal to focus exclusively on building its new stadium in Prince George’s County. While many people are thrilled that any deal at all has been struck, most have also expressed disappointment that the team will be leaving the District of Columbia. I’ve been privy to a lot of information over the last two years regarding the team’s stadium efforts, so I thought this would be the right time to share some of my thoughts with you.
I’m disappointed too that the team won’t be in DC. But I can’t say I’m disapointed with the efforts of DC United. Frankly, the team could and probably should have thrown in the towel on the District of Columbia a year ago or even longer, and it didn’t because its first choice was to stay in DC. Their efforts to bond with the community, not only in Ward 8 but around the city, predate any specific stadium plan and were respectful, honest, and incredibly successful. But these efforts, along with the economic boost the entire development would have provided the city, were less important to many of the city’s lawmakers and self-appointed watchdogs than preserving the opportunity to grandstand politically.
People ask why the team can’t stay at RFK until something can be worked out with DC. Personally, I love RFK. It’s been like a second home to many of us over the years. But operating the team at RFK simply isn’t feasible anymore. The team is just about guaranteed to lose a lot of money there every year. And it’s not fair to ask our ownership to continue to lose a lot of money in order to chase a deal whose success depends entirely on the whims of cynical elected officials intent on preserving their ability to demagogue an issue. The team spent over a year doing that, waiting on DC to make the commitment two mayors promised it would make. But the commitment never came and stopped even looking like it was coming, so it was time to move on.
As fans, we’re lucky that a jurisdiction so close to DC, with so much available land right near Metro stations, was ready, willing, and eager to become United’s new home. The efforts made over the years by Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland to bring the team there went beyond mere accomodation and reflected a genuine aspiration to serve as United’s home – an aspiration that the District of Columbia, sadly, never really exhibited.
I hope you’ll join me in embracing our team and the jurisdiction that wants us.
Visit the website of GoalMaryland – http://goalmaryland.wordpress.com/
If you live in Maryland, write your state elected officials and ask them to show their support for the stadium proposal.
And, in case you’ve forgotten, come to the Screaming Eagles Annual General Meeting this Saturday, February 28th at 2pm at Union Jack’s Pub in Ballston Mall, 671 North Glebe Road, Arlington VA. Coach Tom Soehn and General Manager Dave Kasper will be there to speak and answer your questions. There will also be raffles, door prizes, and plenty of fun. Spread the word and see you there!
Paul Sotoudeh
President
Screaming Eagles
