D.C. United executive optimistic about stadium plans moving forward
Last year D.C. United and the Mayor of Washington D.C. signed an agreement in principle to put a new stadium at Buzzard Point, just around the corner from Washington Nationals Park. However, since that joyful day for the four-time MLS Cup champions there have been a lot of roadblocks in the way.
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Among those roadblocks were things like land swaps, finding a home for one business in the area and getting the deal for the money for infrastructure improvements through. In fact, earlier this year the deal seemed to be all but dead.
However, just a few months later and it appears things are a bit closer to actually happening. According to Steven Goff of The Washington Post, managing partner of D.C. United, Jason Levien, had some positive news for fans and the league.
Speaking at halftime of D.C. United’s 4-2 win over the Colorado Rapids, Levien told the CSN Washington audience the following:
“Last time I was on I said I was cautiously optimistic about the stadium. I am going to tell our fans out there we are ready to remove the ‘cautiously’ from that statement.”
Of note, besides United rolling to another victory, was that Levien watched the game with D.C. council member Muriel Bowser, who is the leading candidate to become the District’s next mayor in November.
You can see the full video interview here.
It’s long been known that without a stadium deal being done, D.C. United’s stay in the nation’s capital wasn’t going to happen long-term.
The news coming forth as the season goes forward has to be pleasing to the owners and MLS, who see United as a premier franchise to the history of the league.
Losing another of the flagship franchises would be a blow to a league who has had nothing but positive momentum on expansion and stadium fronts for the past few years. Once shovels go in to ground in Buzzard Point, D.C. United can finally realize the dream its had for some time.