The atmosphere outside Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday was electric. Fans gathered, draped in Inter Miami pink, Argentina’s blue and white, and the Baltimore Ravens’ purple. You could spot a few other soccer jerseys, but DC United’s black and red were noticeably absent. This isn’t DC United territory, and they know it.
In a bid for better attendance, DC United moved their match against Inter Miami from their usual 20,000-seat Audi Field to Baltimore. They see this as a chance to reach out to potential fans in a city that has been yearning for a stronger soccer presence. They’re even planning to start an MLS Next Pro team and are working with Baltimore’s government to build a stadium.
This strategy isn’t new. Other MLS teams have taken similar steps when Miami visits. Last year, Columbus Crew moved a match to Cleveland, and Sporting Kansas City shifted their game to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
On Saturday, it was Miami’s stars, including Lionel Messi, who shone again, securing a 2-1 victory. This trend of relocating matches has stirred some discontent among loyal fans. They worry about losing the home feel, especially since options are limited. The only alternative would have been the unpopular FedExField, home of the Washington Commanders.
Despite the shift, DC United struggled to impress. They’ve been in a rebuilding phase for nearly a decade, cycling through coaches and staff. Their latest head coach, René Weiler, joined after a rocky start, and early signs haven’t been encouraging. On the field, DC United looked disjoined and uninspired, falling behind quickly. They managed a better second half but still only netted one goal.
The performance brought back memories for older fans of DC United’s glory days in the late ’90s. Miami played with flair and creativity reminiscent of legends like Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno. Even with their stars, Miami also showcased promising young talent, highlighting a stark contrast with DC United’s recent struggles in recruitment.
DC United’s marketing efforts to sell out the match were commendable, but without a compelling on-field product, they may struggle to win over new fans. As Inter Miami capitalizes on the interest, the question remains: can DC United rediscover their former glory and keep pace with growing rivalries?
For a broader context, MLS is steadily expanding, with soccer’s popularity on the rise, particularly among younger fans. A recent survey indicated that 60% of American youth are interested in soccer, highlighting a significant opportunity for clubs like DC United to tap into this growing market. Miami’s approach, under the spotlight of superstars, might just hold the key to success in this new era.
For more on Inter Miami’s impact in the league, check out this detailed article: Inter Miami and Their Influence.
