DCU in PG?

DC United is revving up their talks with Prince Georges County officials to build a soccer-exclusive stadium for the Washington Area's Major League Soccer team. A deal with the District fell thru last week after years of negotiating to build a stadium at Poplar Point in Anacostia. How do you feel about that, soccer fans out there? Leaving DC isn't anyone's first choice, but Largo? The Morgan Boulevard Metro stop? Isn't that in Raljon? You sure you want to leave RFK? The last two teams to do that haven't faired so well in their new digs. (See Inept Ownership/Washington Redskins, and 102 losses and an asphalt plant next door/Washington Nationals).

How many of you DCU fans are in Virginia? Anybody have statistics on that? Is it an even fifty split? Even i it's not, the Morgan Blvd Metro stop makes sense. It was built for the Redskins but would be better for a stadium that is actually closer to the tracks. At least everyone involved is thinking ahead and centering the idea around Metro stations instead of building a stadium smack-dab between opposite Metro lines. Maybe they could run another line from Landover to Morgan Blvd just to make it easier. They can call it the Black Line. (DC United wears black and the Skins have those super cool black jerseys, get it?)

DC United deserve a stadium, just on the sheer basis of championships to won/loss record. No one has won more in the cities history. Not the Redskins, not the Bullets and certainly not the Nats. The Caps are close these days, but to date, no dice. PG County needs the tax revenue and game day traffic should be a breeze compared to Sundays in the fall. Plus, soccer fans are the coolest fans in the world! (except in England) O-le O-le-ole-ole.... Oo-leeeeee, Ooo-leeeee! It's a shame more Americans don't get soccer.

Don't be mad at the DC government, if there's any advice you I can give you. Nats Park is a miracle. Don't kid yourself about that. The fact that it was built, paid for and opened on time was an act brought about by God; no one involved in that whole fiasco has a right to tell you any different. God finally had had enough with MLB's and the city's dysfunction, put his foot down, slapped everyone across the head, closed the black hole of ineptitude for a few years and viola'... Baseball is back in Washington!

The DC government has been screwing things up for decades, and there's no end of that in sight. Abe Pollin built the Verizon Center without a dime from the city; if wasn't for that stubborn old bird's adamant desire to build that thing in Chinatown it would not have happened. Jack Kent Cooke tried to do the same thing for 15 years and build an even bigger stadium with even more of his own money and the District f*#ked it all up. It's the way things are there. I thinks it's written into the City bylaws: "Every other team that needs a stadium needs not get it, just because Marion Barry hasn't paid his taxes and needs extra cash for 'personal use'."

Don't be surprised or upset about this. (Unless of course the city soon strikes a deal with Dan Snyder to move the Skins to Poplar Point. Then you can scream all you want. I'll be right there with you.) It's the way things are in the District. Baseball shoved you to the side when the Expos were on the move and now you have to go to Raljon to watch a game. Big Deal! You have a team, a good one for that matter! Go spend money in Maryland. We need it here, too. I spent many a memorable night in Largo watching the Caps when I was growing up. Its okay there.

But, don't give up hope for Poplar Point. That could still happen. You never know with these things. Until ground is broken, anything can happen.