The Associated Press is reporting that Mayor Dixon has asked the Maryland Stadium Authority to consider building a soccer-stadium in Baltimore, for the DC United of Major League Soccer.
http://www.wbaltv.com/money/21220308/detail.html
Regardless of whether your political leanings are on the right, or on the left; this is the type of big-picture thinking that is needed for Baltimore.
We are a Major city, and we deserve to have the best of everything.
There will be plenty of people that will not get behind this, but securing a Major League Soccer team, would be a coup for this City.
Building a Soccer Specific Stadium up to Major League Soccer standards, would mean Baltimore would get a 17 to 20k seat-stadium that could also house top-lacrosse events, and concerts.
Here are some examples of Soccer Specific Stadiums recently built across the US:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Crew_Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Depot_Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza_Hut_Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Park_(Bridgeview)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick%27s_Sporting_Goods_Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull_Arena_(MLS)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Houston_Dynamo_stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trails_Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Tinto_Stadium
In the aftermath of July’s Chelsea vs AC Milan match at M&T Bank Stadium, Mayor Dixon was quoted as saying she would like to see a 7,000 seat Soccer Specific Stadium south of M&T.
I noted at the time that the Baltimore Blast draw 7,500 a game for a mediocre product that plays indoors. However, that attendance, combined with the crowd that showed-up for Chelsea/AC Milan, and the 1,500 that attend Crystal Palace games – shows an audience exists for Soccer in Baltimore.
If you were to build a 7,000 seat-venue, there would be cost associated with that venture. When it was created, there would be an attractive stadium that had no chance to obtain an MLS team.
I wrote that we should not limit what can be accomplished in Baltimore, we should dream bigger.
Mayor Dixon’s announcement today, is an example of dreaming bigger.
My guess is that the DC United announce they are not looking to leave the DC Metro. That would be fine. My preference would be for DC to maintain the United, and Baltimore to obtain an MLS expansion team. (Ravens Owner Steve Biscotti could lead the bid if he so decided)
If DC were to keep the United, and Baltimore were to obtain an expansion-team, natural-rivals could develop with the existing MLS teams DC, New York, New England, and the expansion-team in Philadelphia which starts play next year.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.