Once upon a time, before MLS stadiums sprouted all over the country and soccer took hold in cities from coast to coast, before RFK Stadium rusted and FedEx Field cracked, Washington was perhaps the sport’s nerve center.
There were MLS Cups and all-star games, regular visits by the men’s and women’s national teams and a variety of international games and tournaments. But as options expanded and local venues fell out of favor, the capital region found itself losing ground. Cincinnati, Austin and Orlando became fashionable destinations.
“And I think that’s a very positive development for our league and for the sport,” he continued.