WASHINGTON (Map, News) - With numerous District of Columbia dignitaries in attendance at D.C. United’s kickoff luncheon Tuesday, it seemed the perfect occasion to advance the team’s push for a deal with the city to build a soccer stadium at Poplar Point.

But afterward the event’s keynote speaker, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber, tempered that excitement, using words like “frustrating,” “disappointing,” and “continually surprising” to describe United’s difficulty in securing its own venue, saying the league soon will advise the team to move forward with potential stadium sites in Maryland.

“We either resolve it here, or we’re going to push this ownership group to move out of the District,” said Garber. “I say that with a heavy heart because this is a community that has really supported this team.”

Garber said he has toured two potential stadium sites in Prince George’s County, calling them “great” and “accessible.”

“The league has put some gentle pressure on us to get a deal done, and we need to have a deal done,” said United president Kevin Payne. “We’re all in this together, and to the extent that we don’t have a deal, that costs our partners money too.”

Garber also talked about MLS expansion. The league has added San Jose as its 14th team this season, and it will bring on board Seattle and Philadelphia in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The early success following the announcement of each recently led the league to form an expansion committee that will reevaluate the league’s long-term strategy before announcing the addition of 17th and 18th franchises. Philip Anschutz, who owns the Los Angeles Galaxy, half of the Houston Dynamo and is the owner of The Examiner, will lead the committee.

“There are so many things now that are convincing us that we should take a step back and create a strategic plan before we announce 17 and 18,” said Garber. “We do have offers for two different markets, and we’ve put those deals on hold until we’ve had a better chance to create our plan.”

One United, and no Sea Dogs

MLS commissioner Don Garber said D.C. United will be the only team in the league, for the foreseeable future, that gets to use “United” in its name. A group named St. Louis Soccer United is pushing for an expansion team, and a naming contest will get underway in Seattle this week for fans to choose the name of their new MLS team. The three choices are: Seattle Republic, Seattle Alliance and Seattle FC.

Owner challenge

United co-managing partner Victor MacFarlane said he and co-managing partner Will Chang together will contribute $50,000 to the foundation of the owner of the city’s winningest team, and challenged the city’s other team owners to also take part.

Comments from Examiner Readers

6:31 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 27, 2008 re: "Immigration refined"

Cohen said:
The South Americans are bringing class to the league. I can't wait for the new season to start this Saturday!

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6:58 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008 re: "United deep in the heart of Texas"

Nancy McBeth said:
The city this contest takes place in is named Cibolo not Cebolo. Please correct. Thank you.

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12:43 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "Taxpayers to foot $150M of D.C. United stadium costs"

Examiner Reader said:
Absolutely, totally, completely and inexcusably obscene. Especially in the current economic climate, no municipality, or state for that matter, should be spending public money on sports stadiums owned by people who can afford to build their own facilities. Fix the schools, roads, bridges, hospitals, etc., first.

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11:46 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "Taxpayers to foot $150M of D.C. United stadium costs"

Bob in Manassas said:
"If DC United wanted a soccer stadium, it should have done what business people do: ask for a loan from private industry to be repaid with interest." D.C. United did come with a plan and even did the leg work to get the Polar Point land. The catch was the infrastructure support (about $200 mil) for mixed use development similar to what Clark has proposed ... except the Clark project will need $500 million kicked in from the city. I do not know about your math mine says that Fenty is a dope.

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11:32 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "Taxpayers to foot $150M of D.C. United stadium costs"

Examiner Reader said:
Fenty should have told DC United to pay for its own stadium, but that would have required courage and principles. Fenty is not spending his own money nor is Fenty asking that DC residents pitch in; this is the taxpayers money that should be going towards the necessary functions of the city. Essentially we are being coerced into financing this stadium. If you think otherwise, deduct your share for the stadium from your taxes and tell DC you aren't paying for it. You can write to me detailing the success of your defiance from your holding cell. If DC United wanted a soccer stadium, it should have done what business people do: ask for a loan from private industry to be repaid with interest.

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10:15 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "United gets the ultimate Valentine�s gift"

Examiner Reader said:
To be honest, the Nats and United belonged in VA. They are the real ones that are floating both teams. Just being honest!

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9:27 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "Taxpayers to foot $150M of D.C. United stadium costs"

Examiner Reader said:
I am glad to see that the Mayor is doing the right thing after screwing United and the groups that did all the work in promoting ACTUAL development in Anacostia. Hell, United won the support of Marion Barry � I do not see how this is a better deal for the city. The city will be putting up twice as much money as McFarlane / AEG initially requested for the Poplar Point site improvements. Not only is the city is to pay more for site improvements but will also plus kick in money for the stadium; sounds like the over pay approach that the city specializes in. Way to go Mayor Fenty ...

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10:52 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "United considers stadium site outside D.C."

Examiner Reader said:
Fairfax United? Gimme a break. They're not going anywhere. They're trying to force the issue. What sucks for DC United is that soccer isn't baseball, I'd love if they stayed in DC but nobody is going to the mat to give them a sweetheart deal like the Nats got.

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10:35 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 12, 2007 re: "United considers stadium site outside D.C."

Examiner Reader said:
Yes let's have DC United in Northern Virginia where they will be treated better.

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6:26 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 11, 2007 re: "United considering stadium site outside D.C."

Developersagent.com said:
Its about time someone took a stand in support of Poplar Point & the DC United Stadium besides Marion Barry (whose track record is not the cleanest to say the least). Poplar Point should go to DC United.

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5:28 PM MST on Wed., May. 2, 2007 re: "Red Bulls resurgence not a Cosmos revival"

Examiner Reader said:
Red Bull NY is not tied for MLS's best record, they in fact top the table with 10 points and a plus 5 goal differential, as oppossed to Chicago Fire FC, who sit second with 10 points and a +3 GD.

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10:16 AM MST on Wed., May. 2, 2007 re: "United: Time for some action"

Examiner Reader said:
Carroll should have been yanked last season. �Everybody needs to be held accountable,� Maybe Soehn should take a good look at himself, the past 2 games is about as bad as you can coach a team.

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8:30 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 19, 2007 re: "A United market"

PJohnson said:
Hey Craig, It is not proper to refer to DC United as "the United". It's not a nickname. It's the club name. Call them DC United, or simply United. Learn it, Live it, LOVE IT!

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