M&T Bank hosting the World Football Challenge this summer.

Talk about a potential shocker. Baltimore’s mayor has sent a letter to the Maryland Stadium Authority to look into possibly building a soccer stadium for DC United.

The city became a bit more interested in the project after this summer’s soccer tour that saw a game at the 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium for AC Milan and Chelsea.

“There was a significant amount of momentum built from that game,” he said, noting D.C. United’s interest in building a new stadium. “We’re making sure we’re not leaving any stone unturned.”

Millard said the city has not had any discussions with the United. A feasibility study for a Prince George’s stadium found it would generate between $65 million and $80 million a year in economic impact.

This could very well be a development that could reshape some things for this club. First of all it would probably mean the club would lose the DC name. Second of all it would probably mean they would lose a big chunk of their fan base that is located in Virginia. And lastly from what I’ve heard from a few in the region it would probably even mean some of the folks in Maryland would also stop supporting the club as well.

Now I’ve always been a bit curious about Baltimore as a potential MLS city but I don’t see moving DC United there as a way to test it out.

I want a stadium for the club as badly as their fans do but I don’t know if this is the perfect solution. Should the league and the club go for it if it is the only offer on the table? Sure but you have to think it will certainly harm this deep fan base.

You can read the whole thing here. Below are some of the bigger points that he made.

“We don’t seem to be able to get a deal done and it could be that, if something can’t be resolved, we will move the team.”

“The ownership group is very committed to the team and to Major League Soccer, but no different than any other sports team in this country, they will not be able to continue to play in RFK and be successful. It does not have a economically viable model playing in a stadium that is substandard.”

“For the last 10 years, I have been personally involved with 10 stadium projects and this region of the country has been the single most-difficult area to try to get something finalized. It has me very concerned.”

As a fan of the league I hate seeing stuff like that. I really truly hope it doesn’t come down to moving this club out of DC. That would really be a giant step back for the league if you ask me.

Just a random thought and question…will DCU ever leave RFK? One would hope they will but after all these setbacks and negative votes you have to wonder if the club will just have to figure out a way to make money in RFK instead of leaving it.

More than likey it is just back to the drawing board for potential stadium sites. But are there any good locations left?

Now it looks like you can add Maryland to the list of places that DC United probably won’t get a stadium in.

A Prince George’s County Council committee yesterday recommended that the county oppose legislation that would launch planning for a stadium for the D.C. United soccer team.

In a 5 to 0 vote, with two abstentions, the council’s General Assembly committee recommended withholding support for a bill that would authorize the Maryland Stadium Authority to study the site and financing methods for the project. The bill would also allow design work to begin.

Back to the drawing board? Maybe…it seems like this is a never ending cycle for the club.

Now it appears that DC United could be moving their next door neighbor in Maryland and build a stadium in Prince George’s County.

According to Steve Goff, the club is going to partner up with the county and the state to build a stadium. The team and county leaders have scheduled a news conference Monday to announce that they will introduce a legislative bill in the state house authorizing United to move to the county and work with the Maryland Stadium Authority.

United is committed to building a 24,000 seat urban stadium in Prince George’s, MacFarlane told the Marylane legislators. He said the team is looking at three sites — two at the Morgan Blvd. Metro Station and one at the Largo Town Center Metro Station.

A source close to the team told the Washington Post that United “tried for two years with the city. I’m quite optisimtic about this happening, but we’ve got a long way to go before it becomes a reality. A million things could go wrong, but everything looks good.”

Its still a bit early but at least the ball is actually rolling on this stadium project for once. As we all know DC is the club that needs new digs. Its a big wait and see for now but I’m okay with the club being out of DC if it means they get a stadium.