Build DC United a Stadium This Year, Please and Thank You

Yes, I know I talk an awful lot about Newcastle United.  And they are my lads, make no mistake about it. However, NUFC selfishly takes a break during the summer months--apparently 10 months of soccer requires an 8 week break.  I guess I understand.  But what is the soccer lover, who has grown accustomed to watching games each Saturday to do?

The solution, I've found, is by supporting the local MLS team, DC United.  Oh, I know--the "football" is not on par with any of the major European leagues, and even some of the minor ones.  But, the talent in the league is quite good, the league very watchable and enjoyable, and I would argue with any Euro-soccer snob who would try to tell me otherwise.  Especially as many of these folks have never condescended to actually watch an entire match, and are just spouting anti-MLS sentiment because that's what the cool kids do.  Moving on...

The thing that most annoys me about being a DC United fan is the lack of a soccer specific stadium.  Instead, the team plays in an old crumbling concrete mausoleum called RFK Stadium.  The stadium has a capacity of 46,000, which means, on any given Saturday, the stadium is no more than 35% full. (DC United averaged about 15,000 for each match last year).  Clearly, playing in a stadium which, if placed in England, would make it the 7th largest football stadium in the entire country, is dumb, both from a financial and atmosphere perspective.

I am not the only person that has noticed this.  Hence, every year, someone writes a story about how DC United has a plan for relocating.  First, in 2006-2007 it was to build a new stadium in a place in SE DC called Poplar Point.  And the team showed us pictures like this:

 

And this:

 

And This:

And, that all came to nothing.  Then, last year, there was the debacle with trying to move the team to suburban Maryland.  Long story short: Maryland voters politely said, "no, thank you." 

Now, here in 2011, there is more talk about a possible DC United Stadium in one of two different areas of the District.  Sounds good, except that there is also considerable skepticism that the team will be willing to put up enough resources to make either site a reality.

Personally, here's my take: "zzzzzzzzz".  I am tired of hearing about possible sites, and possible stadium designs.  Wake me up when someone, somewhere has made a decision and is breaking out the shovels.