The Maryland SoccerPlex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, although its mailing address is directed to Boyds, Maryland. The facility, completed in 2000 and operated by the Maryland Soccer Foundation (MSF), has 21 natural grass fields, 3 artificial turf fields, and 8 indoor convertible basketball/volleyball courts.
 Maureen Hendricks Field at Maryland Soccerplex | |
 | |
| Location | 18031 Central Park Circle Boyds, Maryland, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Owner | Maryland Soccer Foundation Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Operator | Maryland Soccer Foundation |
| Capacity | 5,000[1] |
| Surface | Bermuda Grass (9 fields) Bluegrass (11 fields) Bermuda Grass Stadium, 21 natural grass 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) (2013–2020) Washington Spirit Reserves (WPSL) (2013–2018) Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA) (2021–present) Old Glory DC (2024–present) | |
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
editThe 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 Hendrickses donated a further $6 million in 2005 to stabilize funding and build additional fields.[2]
Overview
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The main stadium holds 4,000 and was home to the Washington Freedom during its time in the Women's Professional Soccer, and the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League played its regular-season games there between 2013 and 2019.[4]
The main stadium was renamed Maureen Hendricks Field in a ceremony before a Spirit game on June 15, 2013.[5]
On December 31, 2018, the founding executive director, Trish Heffelfinger, retired from the Maryland Soccer Foundation. Matt Libber, formerly of Elite Tournaments, took over the executive director role in January 2019.[6]
The stadium features seating for 4,000, including the general admission lawn, with corresponding restroom facilities, formal press box, and box office.[7] The grass playing field measures 115 x 75 yards.
The stadium has previously hosted a US Olympic qualifier, U.S. Open Cup matches, a CONCACAF Champions League match, the ACC Men's Soccer Championships, USL and W League matches, training sessions for Argentina's Boca Juniors and the New Zealand National team. The US Youth Soccer National Championships were also held at the Maryland SoccerPlex.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ "Maryland Soccer Foundation". Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ a b c Craig, Tim (November 1, 2005). "Miscalculations Mire SoccerPlex, County Finds". Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ Hobgood, Cynthia (October 9, 2010). "Maryland SoccerPlex kicks into gear with tournament". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ Goff, Steven (November 8, 2019). "Washington Spirit to split home matches among three venues next season". Washington Post.
- ^ Gordon, Jennifer (June 15, 2013). "Flash unbeaten in last six with win over Spirit". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ Boehm, Charles. "Elite Tournaments exec Matt Libber to be named Md. SoccerPlex chief". Soccer Wire. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ "Maryland SoccerPlex Overview". MDSoccerPlex.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ "Washington Spirit sets schedule". Washington Post. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
- ^ "The Maryland SoccerPlex". Maryland SoccerPlex. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
External links
edit39°09′10″N 77°18′36″W / 39.15271°N 77.310131°W
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