Audi Field becomes the 19th soccer-specific stadium in MLS and sits two diagonal blocks from Nationals ParkAUDI FIELD
DC United "finally unveiled its new, soccer-specific stadium," as a couple hundred fans and key figures from DC, MLS and the team yesterday "gathered at Audi Field for a ribbon-cutting ceremony," according to Emily Giambalvo of the WASHINGTON POST. DC United on Saturday will face the Whitecaps in the "opener of the new stadium in Southwest DC that has a capacity of 20,000." The Audi Field opener "will also serve as the debut" of new DC United F Wayne Rooney. The stadium’s red and gray seats are "positioned at a sharp incline that creates an intimate environment." Audi Field "becomes the 19th soccer-specific stadium" in MLS. The new stadium is "positioned just two diagonal blocks from Nationals Park." DC United D Steve Birnbaum said that he "hopes the new venue will attract not just soccer fans but casual sports fans." Fifteen of DC United’s final 20 matches "will take place at Audi Field" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/10). In DC, Adam Zielonka notes Mayor Muriel Bowser, City Council members Jack Evans and Charles Allen, Rooney and MLS Commissioner Don Garber "were among those on hand" yesterday (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/10).
