I am surprised Goff didnt mention that. But the lease says the team covenants to "play substantially all" games at Eaglebank Arena East. One out of 17 in a year, and over how many over the last 7 or 8 years, probably counts in any courts' view as "substantially all." That dog ain't gonna hunt. But the city could make paying for any improvements much more difficult to help keep that game in the city limits - the city knows the value of being able to say "Messi played here" rather than up the road.
Playing against a last place DC United next year increases the likelihood that Messi will have some kind of ding that prevents him from making the trip.
My guess is the game gets scheduled for right before or right after the World Cup break. Speaking of, my ticket rep told me last week that they expect the schedule to start earlier than normal in '26, so I'm guessing there will be a decent time where MLS is shut down for the World Cup.
I dreamed DC used the buyout on Enow overnight. Hoping to manifest that. Among many key topics, I think the most important Q&A question tonight is whether DC intends to use both buyouts available. Anything but a firm yes is a major red flag.
I'd like to ask him what positions he thinks are most important to use DP slots on. But your buyout question is a good one, too.
There’s a lot that can be asked which will show what knowledge of the league he’s been able to ascertain. Yours is one, I’d add a few of these: Who are some of the most successful SuperDraft picks from the last 5ish years and what qualities are you looking for from the college game that can be predictive of success for an MLS player Logic - the SuperDraft is often derided but there are gems in it (Dike, Schulte, McGuire, etc.) and we have the top pick. The draft is next month. They can’t just trade out or throw darts at a name. Please name 2-3 players on the current roster which are excellent fits for the tactical vision of the team you want to build going forward and what makes them so Logic - this may need a follow up to press on details. I’m interested in knowing who he likes tactically from the current squad and why. If he gives some high level answer that lacks details, he either doesn’t have a clear enough vision or there’s nobody that’s a good fit. A detailed answer here helps show what he’s looking for and why What is the transfer budget for next year? Logic - pretty obvious. Will we spend? If so, are we shopping bargain bin or will we start paying transfer fees? What are the player profiles of DP and TAM acquisitions? Logic - are we going old and established a la Benteke or up and coming? What steps are being taken so that the best youth talent isn’t moving to other parts of the country to play for other clubs MLS Next teams anymore? This has happened repeatedly and needs to stop if DC is going to have a competitive academy. Not sure the answer matters much here, but I want this said publicly to him with other Front Office people listening. It’s shameful, really
TH4119 - are you going to be there? if not, I will ask given the opportunity... if you are then maybe we can coordinate / gang-up, usually not easy to get multiple questions in, especially complex ones.
I think that the club has to play all of its regualr season home games at Audi Fied. However, that got me thinking. What if Baltimore got a MLS expansion team? Wouldn't that be something.
Last night's Q&A was a good event. They had Conner Antley there as well as Sogut, along with the new ticketing VP Sean. Antley was fairly fired up talking about Weiler and Sogut and plans for the future a couple times. I know roster decisions aren't set in stone yet but I'd be surprised if he's not on the team next year. Antley was also very honest that Lesesne wasn't the answer and that the players last year simply weren't good enough. Sogut was very honest. He said that all he wants to do is succeed at everything so he's all in. They will fill all 3 DP slots, and while attackers are a priority, if the right CB or box to box midfielder comes along, they'll go that route too. He wants more academy development, thinks Pirani and Hopkins are huge for next year (so Pirani is sticking around much to @Q*bert Jones III Jones III schagrin), and says it'll likely take 3 windows to get the team looking like he (and Rene) wants it. He also said they may keep a smaller roster next year, but anyone they target will be someone they think can start - not acquiring a player just to fill a spot because he's there. No one asked about buyouts or roster decisions for next year, but the questions from the fans were generally good and not a ton of brown nosing. A decent amount of profanity from all three guys on stage, too.
It’s not directly on topic but did anyone ask about or reference the rumors of the Miami game in Baltimore?
Hey @pr0ner, did they mention Benteke by name? I've heard that they've been featuring Pirani in their promo material but not Benteke, which, if true, ugh.
No one asked about that. Yes, he was mentioned by name, both in terms of style of play (too much just hit long balls to Benteke and hope for the best, which even Antley said was a bad style of play), and the fact that they do not know if he'll be around next year yet or not.
I listened to Sean talking to a guy about the Charm City game after the general session was over. It is 99% happening. Pretty much every small venue team has done it. They are just working out details. The guy was very clear fans want equivalent seats - and not get shafted as has happened in the past during games at New Jack City (fedex/NW stadium for the younger set) where folks in prime seats (lower level or mid-field) ended up in the 300s or down towards the corners. Sean said something about relocating in a way that makes sense but it is not straightforward because SeatGeek runs ticketing at M&T. Sean said STM will have as good or better seats and they are figuring options for the ability to upgrade seats (probably similar to how currently we can use credit to upgrade or purchase additional seats). The team is going to offer bus transportation to the game to which the suggestion was made to offer parking packages - not everyone wants to ride a bus. Also seemingly positively received were suggestions for a catered tailgate and for a hospitality area inside for STM.
The thing is though, there are not equivalent seats in Baltimore as compared to Audi Field. M&T Bank Stadium actually does quite well for soccer as far as American football stadiums, but the angle of the seats means no matter what, you’re going to be much farther away from the action, even if your row and section are similar. Potentially seeing Messi at Audi Field was about the last bastion of hope for me renewing season tickets. Not having to pay scalped tickets to see him in DCU’s stadium is a major perk, probably the major perk, that ticket reps can sell with the current state of the team. I won’t lie and say it was a strong probability, but renewing my tickets is absolutely DOA if DC plays Miami in Baltimore.
There were about 50 fans in attendance. Plenty of pretzels w/ nacho cheese (but no mustard heaven forfend) and popcorn available, one free beer/soda per person. We were warned. Pr0ner's review is spot on. Erkut talked about the type of player they are looking for: winning mentality, ready to play/impact on day one, bleed for the shirt - not for a check, etc. So, interesting that he wants experienced players but also eventually would like to have as many as 7 players from our academy. He basically said everything about the club is subpar - from relationships between staff to the stadium to the training facility. I dont know where he thinks the money to improve anything is going to come from with this ownership group. When asked about the Super Draft he did not get excited, said there are maybe 3 college players ready for the pro game. It will be instructive to see who he rates. Oh, there was one guy who brought a book to be signed! He is fluent in 4 languages (plus some Hindi), and his goal is to be a Harvard professor.
A quick fix to one of the subpar issues would be to put the DCU bench back under cover the way it was before Lesesne got the idiotic idea that the benches should be closer to the supporters' groups and he moved from the covered to the uncovered benches.
I'm not sure either of the benches at Audi were ever actually under cover. The home team side did have better seats than the visiting team, though.
Yeah, i dont recall those seats actually being covered either. There has been a tent over the little area behind the home team seats, but I never really understood why, if someone needed treatment wouldn't that be done in the locker room?
With Tata Martinez being hired at Atlanta United it's time to bring Olsen back. We'd be guaranteed at least a few wins.