A Boston Globe report on Friday indicated that the New England Revolution are in early discussions about a potential soccer stadium in downtown Boston.
Business columnist Shirley Leung dedicated a column to the topic of a potential bayside soccer stadium in Dorchester on Boston's south side on the land once occupied by the Bayside Expo Center. The site is currently under the control of the University of Massachusetts, sitting adjacent to the UMass Boston campus.
The report, which includes comment from Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker and Boston mayor Marty Walsh, states that talks between all parties – including the Boston Teachers Union, whose headquarters are located next door to the site – are still in the early stages.
“The opportunity with respect to that could be really terrific,” Baker told Leung in reference to a soccer stadium in Dorchester. “It could be great for all the kids who play soccer.
“A facility like that could be used by kids and by UMass Boston and by the community at large,” he added. “If the rest of it could get worked out, I think it could be a plus.”
Mayor Walsh, who grew up in Dorchester, sees a potential stadium project as a chance to renovate Kosciuszko Circle, a famously traffic-choked junction located near the stadium site.
“It has been tough my whole life,” Walsh told Leung. “This would be an opportunity to improve the circle.”
“I think initially the community would have a lot of questions [about the stadium project] … the potential benefits would outweigh any potential burdens.”
The Revolution began play at the old Foxborough Stadium in 1996 before moving across the way into their current home, Gillette Stadium, in May 2002. They share the facility with the NFL's New England Patriots, also owned by the Kraft family.
