Maryland SoccerPlex

The Maryland SoccerPlex is a sports complex in Germantown, Maryland, although its mailing address is 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.

Maryland SoccerPlex
Location18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, Maryland, U.S.
OwnerMaryland Soccer Foundation
Montgomery County, Maryland, U.S.
OperatorMaryland Soccer Foundation
Capacity4,000[1]
SurfaceBluegrass (stadium, 21 fields)
Artificial turf (3 fields)
Construction
Broke ground1999
Opened2000
Tenants
Washington Spirit (NWSL) (2013–2020)
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 Reserves (WPSL) (2013–2018)
Maryland Bobcats FC (2021–)

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

The 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
Maryland SoccerPlex on June, 2018

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]

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.[8]

The stadium features seating for 4,000, including the general admission lawn, with corresponding restroom facilities, formal press box, and box office.[9] The grass playing field measures 115 x 75 yards.

The stadium has previously hosted a US Olympic qualifier, US 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.[10][11]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 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.CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. Gordon, Jennifer (June 15, 2013). "Flash unbeaten in last six with win over Spirit". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  8. Boehm, Charles. "Elite Tournaments exec Matt Libber to be named Md. SoccerPlex chief". Soccer Wire. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  9. "Maryland SoccerPlex Overview". MDSoccerPlex.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  10. "Washington Spirit sets schedule". Washington Post. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  11. "The Maryland SoccerPlex". Maryland SoccerPlex. Retrieved 26 March 2013.


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