WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A D.C. United player was seen Tuesday inside RFK Stadium wearing a team jersey bearing a Volkswagen logo, which could mean the club is nearing completion of a major sponsorship deal with the German auto manufacturer.

United spokesman Doug Hicks refused to comment as no agreement has been officially announced. Volkswagen spokesman Steve Keyes said there are no signed deals and also would not comment further.

If completed, the arrangement would make United the ninth of 14 Major League Soccer teams to sell the front of its jersey to a corporate sponsor. The Los Angeles Galaxy currently has the league’s top deal, reportedly earning between $3.5 million and $5 million a year from Herbalife through 2011.

Volkswagen of America recently strengthened its ties to the Washington area, announcing in September that it was moving its headquarters from Detroit to Herndon. It has announced major sales targets increases in North America over the next 10 years.

Although it may be coincidental, Volkswagen also unveiled a special “United” series of cars last fall in Germany as part of its sponsorship of a major German indoor soccer tournament.

Major League Soccer does not currently have a major auto sponsor. Honda ended its 12-year sponsorship deal with the league last year. The Chicago Fire’s home stadium, in the city’s suburb of Bridgeview, was opened in 2006 under the name Toyota Park.

D.C. United had a potential shirt sponsorship deal with Verizon Wireless collapse last fall, according to a source.

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.

39 agree | 47 disagree
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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.

54 agree | 42 disagree
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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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