« A little help from our friends | Main | SSV Founding Member Q and A »

December 12, 2005

Progress continues towards stadium in DC

The Washington Post checks in today with a story on DC United's efforts to build a stadium at Poplar Point in southeast Washington. Their work focuses on a number of different levels, including a grassroots campaign to convince the local community that soccer and everything that comes with it will be a benefit to everyone living there.

The story contrasts recent efforts by the area's other teams—the NFL's Redskins and Ravens and baseball's Nationals, all of whom focused only on getting political approval for new stadiums—with DC United's approach:

...United, while quietly working the political angle, took its quest for a new facility to the streets, inviting residents to lunch and hosting dozens of meet-and-greets, including the Ballou event that incorporated gospel singers, teen models and the school marching band. United players handed out soccer balls and signed autographs into the evening.

United officials hope the campaign will ease the approval process and help extend the team's fan base in a part of town where few people have played or followed the game and don't count themselves fans. United is starting a youth soccer league there in the spring to change that.

Best of luck to the team and fans in DC, which is still the only team in MLS with more championship trophies than the Quakes.

Posted by Jay at December 12, 2005 08:08 AM

Comments

As a MetroStars fan, I hate D.C.United. A lot.

Posted by: Johnny Flushing at December 16, 2005 03:08 AM