D.C. United unveiled the date for the first home game of 2012 — March 10 — but declined to commit that it will be played at RFK Stadium.
With 101 days to go before the next season gets underway, United is attempting to renegotiate its lease at RFK with stadium operators and exploring the possibility of relocating the team elsewhere in the region while it seeks a long-term deal to build its own stadium.
“D.C. United is in negotiations with Events DC for a new short-term lease at RFK Stadium, with hopes to have discussions resolved soon,” United spokesman Doug Hicks said. “However, RFK is not a long-term solution.”
The team continues to maintain that relocation to Baltimore is a possibility, and it could conceivably play games at M&T Bank Stadium until a new, more appropriately sized facility is built. United officials also scouted Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis once last month but haven’t pursued it further. Byrd Stadium has also been mentioned as a possibility, but alcohol sales, a key revenue stream, are only permitted in stadium suites.
During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, MLS commissioner Don Garber was asked about the chances that D.C. United would play in Washington during 2012, and replied, “Very strong. Very strong.”
United acquires Russell, readies for re-entry draft
D.C. United strengthened its back line with the acquisition of veteran right back Robbie Russell from Real Salt Lake. In exchange, United gave up only a third-round selection in the 2013 MLS draft, in part because Russell was seeking a move closer to his wife, who is a Washington-based attorney.
The trade also prevented Russell, a 32-year-old who played in Norway and Denmark before three and a half seasons in Utah, from being subjected to the MLS re-entry draft, a mechanism that makes out-of-contract players or those whose contract options have been declined available to the rest of the league.
United announced nine of its own players who will be subject to the re-entry process, including veterans Clyde Simms and Santino Quaranta.
“We do anticipate that we’ll be able to announce additional acquisitions during the next several weeks,” United general manager Dave Kasper said.
