MLS has turned down DC United's "request to play all 17 home matches" at its new Audi Field over the last four months of the season, an "expected decision as the league prepares to finalize" the '18 schedule, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The club will "probably have to play only two games at alternative home sites -- one in March and one in April -- before moving into Audi Field in late June." Initially, the league was "proposing as many as four, deeply cutting into the club’s revenue projections at the new venue." The home opener will take place March 17 against the Dynamo at a "venue to be determined next month." Two prime options are "out of the running because of previously scheduled events: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis (Navy men’s lacrosse) and Richmond’s City Stadium (Washington Spirit friendly)." Maryland SoccerPlex in Montgomery County has "gained late support to stage the game, despite a 5,200-seat capacity deemed too small for MLS regular season purposes." The league would have to "approve such an arrangement." Goff noted with Annapolis and Richmond "out of the mix for the first home match," RFK Stadium "might re-emerge." In all likelihood, DC United will "probably end up playing the off-site home match in April in Annapolis" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/18).
