With the Washington Nationals having played the final baseball game in Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium history over the weekend, D.C.-area media outlets have been awash in misty-eyed tributes to a quirky but loveable facility that has played host to the lion's share of local sports memories over the past five decades.
But the concrete cauldron's days are far from over, as D.C. United cheerfully retakes sole possession of all the comforts of home after almost three seasons of co-habitation with the Nats.
"Yeah, I think we're excited about that. Obviously, the idea of having it back to ourselves and not having to worry about the infield, I'm sure the guys are excited about that," said D.C. head coach Tom Soehn. "Back to the way it was."
The facility-sharing was handled professionally by all involved, but neither club is hiding their happiness as the Nationals prepare to move into a lavish new riverside ballpark south of the U.S. Capitol next spring and United configure RFK back to a soccer-only setup.
"I think it's a win-win for both organizations," said D.C. veteran Ben Olsen, who's represented both club and country at the 46-year-old ground. "They'll get to go to another new stadium and we'll have the old RFK back, without the pitcher's mound, which should be nice."
Baseball's 2005 return to the nation's capital prompted the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission to devote considerable time and resources towards an unprecedented routine of turfing over the Nats' dirt infield areas before United matches. But there was no escaping the toll on both sports, as the temporary turf proved fickle underneath a soccer ball and the outfield grass had to endure additional wear and tear.
"That infield really was a problem," said D.C. right back Bryan Namoff, whose position dictated that he spend 45 minutes of each home match patrolling the uneven surface. "Especially on my side, I'd be playing there for an entire half and you definitely felt the difference there, in the movement of the grass."
Following Wednesday's Copa Sudamericana showdown with Mexico's Chivas de Guadalajara, Saturday's league match against Toronto FC will be the last match on the present patchwork. The entire field will be replaced as grounds crews take advantage of a United road trip to lay down a mix of Bermuda and rye grasses, designed to bed in quickly for the fall calendar -- including MLS Cup 2007 -- while also providing a solid base for next season. Yet one United player offers a rare defense of the present configuration.
"We're used to playing on the field," said defender Bobby Boswell, describing himself as "skeptical" about the change. "You never get used to playing on that baseball side because the bounce is never true, but I think it's more of a psychological advantage for us. For [visiting] teams that come in, they don't even bother trying to play soccer on that half. They just go away from their game completely, whereas we have a little more confidence."
United are certainly getting re-acquainted with other perks, like access to RFK's main players lounge just outside their locker room. The plush space features more room, televisions, food options, and perhaps, someday, more diversions than their previous lounge.
"It's just a little more personal, I think that's what's important," said Boswell. "I asked to put an air hockey table in there and that got denied. But that's all right, none of these guys need to lose to me, anyway. ... I have a feeling that we might see the ping-pong table resurface in the lounge."
The Black-and-Red are working towards building their own new stadium in the coming years, but for now the club will custom-tailor their home of 11 seasons. United can still boast of being the only Washington sports team to win a title inside the District, on account of their victory in MLS Cup 1997 -- an honor they hope to repeat this November as RFK hosts its third such final.
"We just want a soccer field, that's all," said team captain Jaime Moreno.
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
