Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is "making a last-minute bid to persuade DC United to build its new stadium in Loudoun County," and the club "appears to be listening," according to Jonathan O'Connell of the WASHINGTON POST. Team officials in recent weeks have "toured sites in Loudoun County, lunched with a Loudoun supervisor in New York and hosted a meeting with Virginia economic development officials at the team's offices at RFK Stadium." DC United has spent "more than two years negotiating a deal" for a venue in DC. However, a deal approved last year by the DC Council "has not been completely finalized." The DC Council last month "quickly passed additional legislation," giving DC Mayor Muriel Bowser leeway in "adding protections" for the city. While the club "did not protest," there have been some "disagreements behind the scenes." A source said that the club "chaffed at being asked to help foot possible cost overruns or provide protections in the event the District acquires the needed land but for some reason the team fails to build the stadium." O'Connell notes DC United potentially ending its agreement with the city is surprising, as the club "has been trying to get a new stadium in the city for a decade." However, there has been "no public discord between the mayor and the team, and it is possible DC United is using the discussion to gain leverage in the final negotiations over a Washington stadium" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/2).
