Baltimore Venues Could Host Future Soccer Events

April 18th, 2007

Officials from D.C. United and Major League Soccer given tours of Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium

BY PAUL MCMULLEN
SUN REPORTER
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED APRIL 18, 2007, 9:21 PM EDT

Could top-flight soccer make a stop in Baltimore?

That’s one of the visions of Paul A. Tiburzi, the chairman of the Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Commission, which last week led officials from D.C. United and Major League Soccer on tours of M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park.

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“From day one, we’ve always been interested in bringing a top-notch soccer event here, but only if the Ravens or Orioles are interested in having it,” Tiburzi said. “D.C. United has expressed an interest in playing in Camden Yards. The commission is also interested in playing host to an international friendly [exhibition]. D.C. United almost came here for one last year.”

Oriole Park was considered for an Aug. 2006 exhibition between D.C. United and Real Madrid, a Spanish powerhouse which at the time included David Beckham. That match was played in Seattle.

D.C. United plays its home games at RFK Stadium. According to the Washington Post, conflicts with the Washington Nationals have the pro soccer team exploring other options for some possible international dates in August.

The Daily Record first reported Baltimore’s most recent pitch. Tiburzi, whose commission was created by the Maryland Stadium Authority, said that both Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium could accommodate a FIFA-approved field, which, at 68 meters wide, is some 20 yards wider than an NFL field.

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