Freedom's Venue

So on the WPS website it shows that the Washington Freedom's facility will be the Maryland Sportsplex (says it holds 3,200 people) Anyone know what happened to RFK stadium? Ohh how i loved it there during the WUSA days!

If Maryland sportsplex is the venue and only holds 3,200 people then i think we have a problem! Im sure as the WPS grows there will be more and more fans coming to support.

Anyone know the exact details?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Louise Waxler on August 10, 2008 at 10:32am: The SoccerPlex will be undergoing extensive renovations in late November. The seating capacity will be increased to 6500-6800 seats, the field will be secured with fencing, a press box will be added, etc. RFK is not the venue for the Freedom - 52,000 seats and 6500-7000 fans at each game! While it was fun, it was the wrong venue for the team during the WUSA days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by StarCityFan on August 10, 2008 at 4:18pm: I'm looking forward to experiencing a sold-out Soccerplex!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Louise Waxler on August 10, 2008 at 6:36pm: Agree with that statement! We all need to rally the Freedom supporters to purchase season tickets so that we can sustain our franchise in the WPS.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carmen on August 10, 2008 at 6:59pm: Its good to know that renovation will take place at the sportsplex.I am so excited for the league to start! I missed ONE home game the entire 2003 season. I cant wait. Im hoping to buy my season tickets this up coming week.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by StarCityFan on August 12, 2008 at 2:37pm: The Soccerplex is a really nice venue for watching soccer - great sight lines, and you're right on top of the field. The only problem with it is that it's not that easy to get to.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Supermokh on September 13, 2008 at 7:06am: It's doesn't matter, renovation or not @ Maryland Soccereplex, if some of the fans, have a problem to come to Maryland Soccerplex, #1 the MD Soccerplex is far North, and far from Shady Grove Metro Station, NOT all the Washington Freedom fans, have a car to commute, some of the fan (Like me), can only go to the Stadium or soccer field,with metro rail or buses to/fro metro to stadium, to watch Le Blue Ladies in action.

Only if, The Washington Freedom Organization can provide the fans, took a metro rail, have a shuttle or connector service at Shady Grove Metro Station to transport Washington Freedom Fans to MD Soccerplex during the HOME GAME.
B'cause at RFK Stadium, Metro Station is just round the corner, U can get off at :-
1) Stadium-Armory Station
2) Potomac Ave Station OR
3) Eastern Market Station.
I remember during my holiday, I when to London UK, I'm a VERY strong ardent die-hard supporter of Spurs (Tottenham Hotspurs FC), I wtach 1 home game Spurs FC vs Arsenal FC @ Spurs, the club provide a special shuttle services to transport the fans from station to station.
I, hope the Washington Freedom Organization take this matter seriously, (in order to get more fans to come during home game matches) and come out, with something, to solve this matter. (DON'T LOSE SOME OF THE DIE HARD FANS)
It's up to The Washington Freedom Organization, where they want the Home game field for Washington Freedom to play at.

I still prefer RFK Stadium!!! the sounds and the words itself, have a uniquely OOPHM!!! (Very Scary, for the Opponent),
conclusion, put the words "Washington Freedom at RFK Stadium"
.....OOOO we scare!!!!! says the Opponent Team.

Go Le Blue Ladies...GO!!!! U Rock N Rule!!!
Let's Freedom, Let's GO!!!!
Here We Go Freedom, Here We Go!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by gozags on September 17, 2008 at 8:42am: IMHO better to have a crowded smaller place than an empty bigger one; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on September 19, 2008 at 11:38am: I completely agree that RFK is too big for the Freedom. The cost of running a game there would be prohibitive and the fan experience would be bad. I remember what Freedom games were like in RFK back in '03, and it was kind of depressing.

However, the SoccerPlex is just a non-starter. There is no way that I am driving an hour and a half both ways (without traffic) to go to a soccer match. I've heard that the SoccerPlex is very nice, so hopefully the local fans have a good time. The team shouldn't be called the Washington Freedom all the way up there, though. The team is probably closer to Baltimore than DC.

I will probably go to the three double-headers that are scheduled for next year at RFK, but the SoccerPlex is out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by GRiZZ on September 25, 2008 at 3:14pm: If you honestly believe the SoccerPlex is closer to Baltimore than D.C. then you've got many more important problems to worry about than how you're going to get to the games.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on September 26, 2008 at 9:12am: Yes, I exaggerated.

How about we call it the Frederick Freedom. It IS closer to Frederick.

That still does not change the fact that any potential fans from NOVA, unless they live in Leesburg, will need to travel an hour and a half each way on game days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Washington Freedom Soccer Club on September 26, 2008 at 1:01pm: We understand the SoccerPlex can be hard to get to. We are trying to figure something out regarding Metro and such but the big problem is with the recent Federal Law that was passed that prohibits using public transportation as shuttles to venues.

The Post (among others) ran stories on transportation regarding Redskins games at the beginning of the season and with Metro buses no longer available, the cost of hiring shuttles jumped from $6/person to $20. That is a huge cost.

We understand the problem and are working on ways to get around it but chances are we won't have anything for a while. Sorry I can't give you anything more substantial right now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Randy on October 2, 2008 at 5:24pm: I will be coming from way out west (Boonsboro/Hagerstown). While the Complex is a bit off the beaten path, it is a nice venue and you have the feeling of being close to the action. I'm sure that with proper marketing, we will see a full complex. I've been to RFK to see both DC United and the Women's National Team (vs. Canada), and was disappointed that more folks didn't come out to see the National Team. I think they played better than some of the MLS teams.

I payed more for a ticket in Atlanta (Silverbacks) than I have for DC United, US National Team, or for the Freedom. And the facility was comparable to the SoccerPlex, and we won't go into the quality of play.

I'm sure the powers that be will work on providing opportunities for transportation to the complex. If nothing else, folks can always post here ans see if they can catch a ride to the site. Nothing like good camaraderie on the way to the game.

PS, I already ordered my season tickets!! See ya on the pitch!; ▶ Reply to This