D.C. gets red carded as soccer team moves to Md.

LARGO, Md. - It's over. Major League Soccer is leaving the nation's capital and moving to Maryland.

D.C. United Owner Victor MacFarlane made it official at a press conference Monday at Prince George's Community College.

The team is no longer interested in pursuing the District as its permanent home and will move to Prince George's County.

"I bear no ill will toward the process in D.C. But it's over," MacFarlane said. "We want to be in Prince George's County and we're going to be in Prince George's County."

Team officials met with local politicians, who have introduced a bill that would build a new stadium in suburban Prince George's County.

The bill, if approved by the Maryland legislature, would authorize a 24,000-seat stadium at a cost of $180 million to $195 million.

D.C. United says the project would pay for itself, with the team paying part of the tab through rent and the remainder coming from new revenue generated locally by taxes on the team and stadium.

The team is considering seven stadium sites and says it will work with county leaders to select the best location.

A decision on the site is expected within 30 days, MacFarlane said. D.C. United's goal is to break ground in 2009 and complete work in time for the 2012 MLS season.

D.C. United has two years left on its lease at RFK Stadium.

Team President Kevin Payne said the team will keep its name.

"Our name is D.C. United, that's no disrespect to Prince George's County," Payne said. "We're a powerful brand in the sports business so I don't see us changing the name."

Payne said in addition to the loss of the team, the corporate offices and training facilities will also move out of the District and into Maryland.

The economic boost to Maryland is estimated at about $64 million a year, and that boost will start this year.

"We've signed an agreement for all of our visiting teams to stay at National Harbor," Payne said.

The move is the latest economic engine the District has lost to Prince George's County. National Harbor has already siphoned off several large D.C.-based events, including the Washington Nationals' annual kickoff celebration.

The Redskins moved to Prince George's County in 1997.

D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry, who fought to keep the team in the District and specifically at Poplar Point in Anacostia, issued a statement criticizing Mayor Adrian Fenty for allowing the team to leave the District.

In a letter to the mayor, Barry wrote, "We are outraged! We are disappointed in the way you and your administration have mishandled the Poplar Point development."

Barry went on the write, "the Coalition believes you have squandered what you described as a once in a lifetime opportunity."

When reports first surfaced last week that the team was close to a deal with Prince George's County, Fenty would not comment except to say he was still interested in keeping the team, but could not remember the last time he spoke with team officials.

Fenty's office said they would not comment on the letter from Councilmember Barry because they had not yet reviewed it.

Fenty spokesperson Mafara Hobson released the following statement on the team's move: "The Administration hasn't received or reviewed a copy of the legislation, once we know more about the proposal we'll be in a position to comment."

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