With all the talks of new stadia around MLS, and Mr. Payne's allusion to a new one for DCU in the next few years, it got me thinking about the effects moving to MCI Center had on the Wizards and the Capitals. The Wizards have done very well (not necessarily on the court mind you) since moving closer to their more urban fan base, but the Caps have struggled with attendance since the move downtown. (And thus away from their more suburban fanbase.) So where do the DC United fanatics live? I have my suspicions, but I figured I'd start a poll and get some discussion going since there's no games to be played for quite some time.
NC is where alot of Caps fans used to live b4 they had a team too. Hmmm. I can't believe you didn't mention Loudoun County, nothing will EVER be built in Arlington or Fairfax, land is too expensive and owned by townhouse and strip mall developers. If a stadium gets built in NoVa, it'll be in Loudoun (and I will dance a jig at every home game I'll be so happy). It'll end up being in BF Maryland tho, causing me to vent road rage upon their citizens every other weekend And Red&Black to be happy instead I'm interested to see what this shows.
I know a lot of people live in Loudon and PW counties, but I decided to only list the counties directly adjacent to the district. I had to cut it short somewhere. And honestly, I'd rather they build it in MD (provided they put it somewhere right off the beltway like the Redskins) than out in Loudon. If they put it too far off the beltway, they effectively alienate fans from the other side of the metro area. Now if they were to put it way out in MD like the soccerplex, I'd tend to agree.
Arlington, VA. And I'd rather they build the stadium wherever they get the best deal. (The prospect of a commute to watch my team play does not bother me - I grew up in Detroit in the 80s, where a 40-45 mile hike out to Pontiac or Auburn Hills was needed to go see the Pistons or Lions play.)
Baltimore, MD Get the best deal, pray it's in the district near public transportation. The public transportation has to be the 1st priority after good financials for the club. p.s. this poll will show where BigSoccer posters live, which is a distinct minority of the DC United fanbase.
Hanover, PA I cannot see the logic of whining about the location of a stadium. It's not like people are throwingthem up every year with no problems whatsoever. If you really care, you'll go. And wherever they put it will pull in people from that local area. Get the best deal.
I'm in the District. I completely agree with ol' Lowecifer -- the District is the first choice, but if that can't be done, it should be near the Metro if at all possible. People who care a lot will come wherever you put it, but we need people who care a little too, as well as people who make decisions on the day and whose primary transport option is public transportation.
City of Alexandria Actually, the potomac yard, which is down the road from my house was one proposed location for the new stadium... or maybe that was the baseball stadium. Either way, they had better not build a stadium there... that would be an all out disaster. What I don't understand is why the District is dragging it's feet on this. It is in the best interest of both parties to build the new stadium in Lot 8. From what I remember, it is part of the Districts 20 year plan to "revitalize" SE and make it comparable to Mall in SW but have it be more recreational and DC History based. Their biggest obstical is clearly the current residence around that area, but to me it looks like DC is trying to shift the voting power from the poorer neighborhoods of SE and NE, to the richer neighborhoods of NW... hence all the new condo's going up in the business districts of NW. I will be disappointed if they move the stadium to either Virginia or Maryland... but as soon as the stadium is built, I will probably forget I was upset.
HELL! That's where we all have lived for the last few years! As for where the non-bigsoccer fan base lives, I would say that the 14th Street Corridor NW and Mount Pleasant have their share of Salvadoran fans. Whether they actually support DC United is another thread altogether!
Baltimore suburbs and I also agree get the best deal and I will worry about the commute later. I already make a 45 minute to a hour commute as it is so no big deal.
Where's La Norte on this poll? That's where I live. My rent checks get cashed in Arlington Country though. Sachin
Proud native and current resident of Alexandria City, though I might be moving to Arlington soon. I would much prefer if any new DCU stadium were in DC, maybe a little further west of the Anacostia, but that's a pipe dream. Failing DC, I would love if the still-unused acres of space at Potomac Yard would go toward a new SSS, but once again, that sounds unrealistic. If the Redskins couldn't do it, then what chance would United have? I just don't want to drive to Maryland every weekend.
Why is it "Inside the District" and not "Inside Arlington", etc? That makes it sound like we are trapped and can't escape or something. After so many years of sucking hind tit due to DC's pathetic pursuit of baseball, I think it's less important where a SSS is built than just getting one built. Anywhere. Soon. Metro accessible would be nice, though.
I live in Louisville, Kentucky......I might be relocating to the DC area someday in the near future........any suggestions on where to settle?