Do Your Part to Keep D.C. United: One Fan's Call to Action
by beardyblue on Nov 3, 2011 4:54 PM EDT
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PrintHaving spent the last 48 hours or so exploding my Twitter feed asking anyone and everyone to promote the Keep D.C. United movement, I decided to to write a post about what has made me so passionate, both about this team and about the Keep D.C. United movement.
Three and a half years ago, I had never been to a soccer match. I was brought into the fold by a colleague and immediately realized that I had been missing out on something huge. For 90 minutes, I learned to live and die with every touch, every foul, and every shot. I learned to scream my heart out, even if it meant sounding like I'd been hit by a train the next day. I learned to celebrate in victory and agonize in defeat. I also learned that soccer is a great way to meet people and make lasting friendships locally, across the country, and abroad. Most of all though, I learned that soccer has a huge, passionate following comprised of great people here in the greater D.C. metropolitan area. These people not only love the club, but they love the District.
This team is more than just a club, it's a part of the D.C. identity. United brings people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all races, and brings out the true passion that lies within them. D.C. United fans cheer, make banners, sing songs, and bang drums inside the stadium. Even more amazing is the amount of charitable giving that goes on outside of the stadium. United For D.C. and United's Supporters' Groups give back countless hours and dollars to make a difference in the greater Washington area and bring the sport to new audiences. D.C. United isn't just a team, or a badge, or a stadium, or trophies. D.C. United is a holistic experience that adds a unique flavor to the District's rich cultural tapestry.
Without United, D.C. loses. D.C. loses a storied club with cheering crowds and passionate fans, but D.C. also loses money currently streaming into the local economy through parking, Metro, restaurants, bars, and (most recently) food trucks. D.C. loses the spending that United fans are currently providing to local small businesses. Even worse, D.C. loses the potential for growth presented in every city lucky enough to have professional soccer, the country's fastest-growing sport, whose attendance is outpacing both the NBA and NHL.
It's hard to have the same kind of passion when talking about another place, even if it's still Benny Olsen's Eleven. D.C. United is woven into the fabric of the city, and a United anywhere else just wouldn't have the same appeal. Even a "rebranded" United just won't have the same history and the same connection to the community.
We can make a difference, or at least I have to believe we can or I'll go insane. If you haven't yet, the Keep D.C. United movement has a petition you need to sign right now. Everyone and their brother should sign the petition; it takes about five seconds and is a good way to show broad support. Then, after you've signed the petition, you have to realize that you have taken only the first very small step in a much larger journey if you want to make a real difference. What the movement really needs is for you to take offline action by contacting the Mayor and the DC Council by phone or in person to let them know you stand with D.C. United. Emails and online petitions are great, but they’re easy for elected officials to delete and forget about. The real difference comes from having a live conversation with a real person. Keep an eye on the Keep D.C. United Facebook and Twitter for more updates and news in the coming days.
We can do this. We have the best fan base in the league with the most passionate, enthusiastic, and motivated people ready to do whatever it takes to keep our team in our city. So let's go! Vamos!
Keep D.C. United!
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Incredibly well said.
Note that nothing here or in the petition asks for public funding of anything. We know the DC government is strapped and has many other things that require the city’s funding, but there is a lot that the city can do to help the team stay in DC that doesn’t involve financial commitment.
First, it’s been widely publicized that team owner Will Chang is seeking additional investors in the DC area; any real indication from the city that it is willing to work with the team toward a stadium solution will help the team’s investment prospects greatly. The District can show its willingness to zone potential stadium sites appropriately and streamline hurdles that could stand in the way of private financing and construction.
Vamos United; Boiler Up
Support your local club.
Black & Red United
Would love to see DCU stay in the district...
I just wish I could believe that the District cared at all.
by DCUFaninMissouri on Nov 3, 2011 11:36 PM EDT reply actions
___
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
"I worry that we're reaching that point where college-age kids don't know what goatse is anymore."
New Tactics?
I think we’re going to need to do something new, in terms of getting on the agenda. I readily admit I don’t know what it is, but I know that the fan activism from the last couple rounds of this issue made little to no impression.
We kinda need new ideas, and probably more co-ordination than we’ve had as of yet.
'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'
What I have done
I am a longtime DC resident, soccer fan, and I vote. We have been down this road before, but are we willing to repeat history? It took 15 years before another soccer team entered RFK – DC UNITED was one of the ten charter clubs of Major League Soccer, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.
Somehow they think they can recoup financially, however, DC UNITED created through their amazing outreach programs that targeted the youth in inner-city and underprivileged communities, along with the supporter groups: La Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles, La Norte and the District Ultras who provided countless hours and dollars to make a difference in the greater Washington area – will be the biggest losers which will not recover in the athletic, emotional and social welfare of the children living in the D.C Area.
Visited the local rec center and discussed the situation, talked to Fleet Feet and left information, also talked to the owner of a local restaurant. These are baby steps and there are more establishments to cover living in the ADMO area.
The Mayor, Jim Graham and Tommy Wells have received my e-mail – if they want a burst bubble – let the effect of disbanding or moving give them a reality check!
Intend to visit the Wilson Building stopping by all offices talking to those who will listen but also providing printed material – when attending hearing/meetings there will always proudly wear my DC UNITED gear!
Of note the links provided on ‘KEEP D.C. UNITED’ for elected officials result in Page Not Found
The page you are looking for cannot be found. Click here to return to the homepage. You can resolve that by selecting Councilmembers tab.
VAMOS
That still requires cooperation from the city.
And that’s basically all we’re asking for from Mayor Gray and the Council – that little step to cooperate with zoning rules and coordination on infrastructure.
It’s also going to take local investment from new partners in the ownership, which will help with the city coordination aspect, too.
Vamos United; Boiler Up
Support your local club.
Black & Red United
by The AMT on Nov 5, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just wondering
In terms of economic impact – how much did each visiting team/supporters spend while here. I know the friendlies drew big crowds, including an Ambassador.
Grey needs to be advised about the revenue realized by the District, and Metro will suffer losing ridership as 60% attending games arrive by Metro!
For someone who talks about “One City” he is doing a good job in tearing it apart and leaving the youth to defend for themselves.
Talk about shooting oneself in their foot.
PS: If there is a deal – let them pay for their own tickets!!!!!
Dunno about a visitor-home breakdown, but going from the Economic Study that was released last year, it you assume that a multi-purpose (read: MLS/WPS/International games and occasional concert) stadium is built, it could bring it as much as $70m annually from spending in and around the facility from merch to hotels and restaurants, assuming there was some additional construction on commercial projects involved.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
"I worry that we're reaching that point where college-age kids don't know what goatse is anymore."
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