By DAN KARELL
D.C. United has hired one of the top sports-stadium architecs to build and design their new home.
The Washington Post reported that in late July, D.C. United hired Populus, formerly known as HOK Sport, to design their future MLS stadium.
“This stadium should be transformative not just for the soccer fans but for the neighborhood,” Joe Spear, a Populus senior principal told the Post. “This should make that the place to be.”
Populus was the designed behind many of the world’s biggest and best stadiums, including the Arena Das Dunas World Cup stadium, the Emirates Stadium and Olympic Stadium in London, and MLS venues in Houston, Kansas City, Commerce City, Colorado, and the future Orlando City SC stadium.
Last June, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. United came to an agreement over a stadium deal, with the city providing approximately $150 million to acquire land on Buzzard Point for D.C. United to build their stadium, of which the construction would be privately financed.
D.C. council has until Sept. 30 to finalize the land swap agreements with various property owners, including real estate company Akridge.
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IMPACT SIGN COSTA RICAN INTERNATIONAL VENEGAS
Days after adding Didier Drogba, the Montreal Impact made another international signing, though one with a little less glitz and glamor.
The Impact announced on Monday that they have signed Costa Rican midfielder Johan Venegas in a transfer from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense. The Impact said that target allocation money was used in this transfer.
“We are very happy to have completed the transfer and signing of Johan Venegas,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz. “He is a quality player with international experience who can play in multiple positions. He will be a very good addition to the team.”
Venegas played four times for the Costa Rican National Team at the 2015 Gold Cup, and has scored four goals in 14 international appearances.
D.C. UNITED, IMPACT YOUTH TEAMS INVITED TO CONCACAF TOURNAMENT
For the first time, CONCACAF is hosting an under-13 international tournament.
CONCACAF announced the creation of the CONCACAF Under-13 Champions League Invitational, which will see the Montreal Impact and D.C. United head to Mexico City for the tournament, which will take place at Cruz Azul’s training ground.
The Impact and D.C. United are two of the eight teams involved, which includes Mexican club Toluca.
“We are very excited about the kickoff of this inaugural Under-13 Champions League Invitational — our youngest category to date to compete in a CONCACAF-sanctioned tournament,” CONCACAF Acting General Secretary Ted Howard said in a statement. “This is a great initiative for youth across the Confederation.”
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What do you think of these developments? What do you think of the latest D.C. United stadium renderings? Do you see Venegas entering the Impact starting lineup this month? What do you think of a CONCACAF U-13 tournament?
Share your thoughts below.