Maryland SoccerPlex

Maryland SoccerPlex
Location 18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, Maryland, U.S.
Owner Maryland Soccer Foundation (MSF)
Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S.
Operator MSF
Capacity 4,000[1]
Surface Bluegrass (stadium, 21 fields)
Artificial turf (3 fields)
Construction
Broke ground 1999
Opened 2000
Tenants
Washington Freedom Futures (W-League) (2004–2010)
Real Maryland F.C. (PDL) (2008)
Washington Freedom (WPS) (2009–2010)
D.C. United Women (W-League) (2011–2012)
D.C. United U-23 (PDL/NPSL) (2012–2015)
Washington Spirit (NWSL) (2013–present)
Washington Spirit Reserves (W-League) (2013–present)

Maryland SoccerPlex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, although its mailing address is Boyds, Maryland. The facility, completed in 2000 and operated by Maryland Soccer Foundation, has 21 natural grass fields, 3 artificial fields, and 8 indoor convertible basketball/volleyball courts. In the park there are also two miniature golf courses, a splash park, a driving range, an archery course, community garden, model boat pond, a bike park featuring a linked jump line and a pump track, tennis center, and a swim center.

Planning and funding

Maryland SoccerPlex was completed in 2000 with $15 million raised by a group of Montgomery County, Maryland soccer parents led by Discovery Communications chairman John Hendricks and his wife Maureen (also co-founders of Washington Freedom soccer team) through private donations and government-backed bonds.[2] It was built as a private-public partnership between the Maryland Soccer Foundation, created in 1997 to build and operate the complex,[2] and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.[3]

However, initial revenues fell short of projections and the foundation took on $14 million in debt, nearly triple the amount projected, and the Hendricks donated a further $6 million in 2005 to stabilize funding and build additional fields.[2]

Overview

The main stadium holds 4,000 and was home to the Washington Freedom during its time in the Women's Professional Soccer. The SoccerPlex began hosting the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League and the Washington Spirit Reserves (formerly DC United Women) of the W-League in 2013.[4][5][6]

The main stadium was renamed Maureen Hendricks Field in a ceremony before a Spirit game on June 15, 2013.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  2. 1 2 3 Craig, TIm (November 1, 2005). "Miscalculations Mire SoccerPlex, County Finds". Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  3. ↑ Hobgood, Cynthia (October 9, 2010). "Maryland SoccerPlex kicks into gear with tournament". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Washington Spirit 2013 schedule". Washington Spirit. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Washington Spirit Reserves". Washington Spirit. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  6. ↑ Spuhler, Robert (June 24, 2002). "World Cup fever, catch it ... uh, kick it!". The Gazette. 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Maryland: Post Community Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  7. ↑ Gordon, Jennifer (June 15, 2013). "Flash unbeaten in last six with win over Spirit". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved August 5, 2015.

Coordinates: 39°09′10″N 77°18′36″W / 39.15271°N 77.310131°W / 39.15271; -77.310131


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