Baltimore is not on the verge of landing a pro outdoor soccer team, nor are plans to add such a squad past the proverbial midfield. But after a report published Wednesday, the ball is now rolling.
In a report that Crossroads Consulting Services submitted to the Maryland Stadium Authority, four sites were identified as potential locales for a soccer stadium with a capacity between 7,500 and 10,000. The hypothetical venue would host a D.C. United minor league team, competing in the MLS Next Pro league.
Three of the sites are located southwest of downtown with a fourth in Catonsville. The most feasible option, per the report, is Carroll Park Golf Course, which is 67 acres, located near Pigtown and owned by the City of Baltimore. The site could “feel secluded and somewhat isolated,” but otherwise would be a strong option with plenty of space, the report found.
Reedbird Park, located near Cherry Hill and also owned by the city, was a close second in terms of viability, with Baltimore’s Swann Park and Retriever Park (UMBC’s soccer stadium) ranking third and fourth.
The 57-page study, which analyzes site fit and economic impact, cost $50,000 and was paid for by the stadium authority and D.C. United.
The study is a preliminary step — and it’s not the first time a report has been conducted regarding the feasibility of a soccer stadium in Baltimore. How much the stadium would cost, who would foot the bill and a timeline of construction all remain to be seen.
Several factors affect potential construction cost, which would likely be at least tens of millions of dollars.
“It’s unknown as to how much it is and who’s paying for it,” said Gary McGuigan, stadium authority Executive Vice President for Capital Projects.
The next step would likely require the stadium authority to be tasked with completing another study — one that is more expensive, more comprehensive and hones in on one of the sites — to determine feasibility. That could be paid for by the government or by D.C. United, which said in a statement that it is “excited that the state of Maryland has taken this vital step in moving closer to bringing a multi-use professional soccer stadium to Baltimore.”
“We would like to thank the various leaders in Baltimore and the State of Maryland, including Governor Wes Moore, Mayor Brandon Scott, and the Maryland Stadium Authority for their focus and effort in this partnership,” a spokesperson for D.C. United said. “We look forward to moving this to fruition.”
That second study would take a year to complete so, even if funding was quickly secured, it would be at least a few years until a stadium would be built in Baltimore.
The report notes that next steps include preparing a detailed building program and cost estimate, finalizing operational needs and creating a funding plan “which may include both public and private sector partners.”
In an interview Wednesday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, emphasized that “Baltimore is a sports and entertainment destination.”
“We’ve proven that with the CFG Bank Arena, we’ve proven that again and again with the Ravens and then again with the Orioles and this great season that we had,” he told The Baltimore Sun. “And we’re always looking for ways to expand that. So we’re not surprised that our neighbors in D.C. United are looking at Baltimore as part of the expansion of their footprint. We’re very excited about that possibility.”
MLS Next Pro is a new league that seeks to develop talent for MLS franchises and the primary tenant of a soccer venue in Baltimore would act as a minor league team for D.C. United, which would operate the stadium. However, the report envisions other potential uses of a venue: It could “host multiple sports including soccer, lacrosse and rugby as well as concerts, festivals and community events.”
Last year, the stadium authority was asked to complete two studies: One to evaluate the possibility of a soccer stadium for an MLS Next Pro team, and one for a USL Championship team. The USL study would have meant partnering with Right to Dream, a soccer academy, which sought to bring a men’s and women’s team to Baltimore — and specifically to the Baltimore Peninsula area.
Right to Dream, however, told the City of Baltimore in a 2022 letter that it would be backing out of the study. It wanted to begin play in 2025, which “proved more challenging and costly than anticipated,” founder Tom Vernon wrote in a letter to Scott in October. Instead, Right to Dream will partner with a new MLS club in San Diego.
Baltimore has long had an indoor soccer team — the Baltimore Blast — but is one of the largest U.S. cities without an outdoor pro team. Scott said the city’s interest in soccer, as highlighted by attendance at matches played at M&T Bank Stadium, shows that Baltimore would embrace cheering on its own eleven.
“Baltimore supports its sports teams,” he said.
