The name has nothing to do with Washington, D.C., being the capital of the United States. D.C. was chosen because in local speak D.C. is where the neighborhoods are and where the people live whereas Washington is where the government buildings, lobbyist offices and monuments are. United is supposed to symbolize the uniting of the District, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia behind our team, D.C. United.
Like I said...nothing wrong with choosing the same name as another (big) international club as long as it makes sense in local context. I don't really understand why anyone would adopt Sporting Lisboa's name though. I assume the ownership group doesn't have any ties with Portugal!? And it's not actually a high-profile club from an international point of view.
Not an overall sexy pick for club name, but I still prefer Los Angeles Aztecs. I'm also curious about how the ex-Chivas USA fans will accept this team. It's not their own, but it won't have the stentch of El Asesino de Futbol with it, and an alternative to the star-driven Galaxy would be welcomed to those who prefer a more gritty club in LA.
The two main supporter groups Black Army and Union Ultras are already well on board with the new team.
Yes pretty committed: #theOthers wanted to say hi. #Homewalk #BlackArmy1850 @LAFC pic.twitter.com/9eLtqssLK9— ⚒ (@BlackArmy1850) November 15, 2014 "Proud of what we were, what we are and what we will be" Every body is Welcome toSupport our @LAFC @1tompenn @SGNLAX pic.twitter.com/GkBnae0ZLy— District 9 Ultras (@district9ultras) November 16, 2014
I got one also, but what was weird, I only emailed them some stadium suggestion sites, so not sure how they got my home address !
I drove by the old LAPD Parker Center that LAPD moved out of a few years ago. Why not this site ? Couple blocks from the Purple/Red line subway stations (current) and would be only a couple blocks for the new 2nd/Alameda light rail station (5 years though). From that station you will be able to go single train to Long Beach, Santa Monica, ELA and Azusa/Glendora. Plus, like the Sports Arena, a government owned site that should allow some "shortcuts" on some environmental. I know the building leaks, and other hazard problems, but maybe LAFC can demo and take those headaches off the City in trade for bringing yet more people downtown. Walking distance to Little Tokyo, Olivera Street, all the activity on Spring street etc.
The Parker Center footprint is too small. They would need the entire block and I think the other buildings there are still in use.
According to SI's Brian Straus, LAFC paid $110 million for an the MLS expansion fee. New record. http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-fut...n-minneapolis-las-vegas-sacramento-don-garber
the Black Army 1850 and Union Ultras seem to be embracing the LAFC name and colors there is also a new group called LAFC Legion http://unionultras.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BlackArmy1850 https://twitter.com/lafclegion
I don't think DCU copyrighted the two colors. LA using the colors (hopefully with a little gold) is cool. black for the Black Army and red for the Union Ultras. I hope the kits looks like AC Milan
That would be two teams coming in with the exact same color combo in 2017. I really hope that does not come to pass.
I'm sure this has been asked but can someone please explain where the expansion fees go exactly? I mean I know they go to the league but then what? Is the money really distributed evenly among back to all teams? Just curious.....
Sac in the short time of existence have proven, so far, that they can and will support a MLS club. MINN having Mini/St Paul as one of the bigger TV markets and fills in more mid west presence in very enticing for the MLS. SO far none of the other four major sports leagues has ever expanded to Vegas. Could an MLS team be the first and make it work? Miami seems further and further from being a reality. Would Beckham be better to join the LA group where he played his MLS days for the Galaxy? Is/would/could that ever be an option. Both SAC and MINN seem to have the backing of another major pro sports Brand. Having SAC would give the MLS an unprecidented presence on the West coast with seven teams. MLB has 6
We don't know yet how much they will be charged. Split 20 ways? And if it goes to the teams, by that, we mean the ownership of the teams aka the owners of MLS. This in no way goes back into the salary cap or anything of that nature. Although I am sure it doesn't hurt losses taken on other things.
But they did announce their colours. I believe the official answer was "black and red with a gold accent." Black and red like the Falcons, who have the same owners. As for the meaningless names also mentioned, like the Dodgers and Lakers of LA, Those are names that the teams had that made sense in their original location, before the teams moved. They kept the names for tradition and recognition reasons I imagine. With expansion teams you don't have that argument.