Tony Having booked a family holiday to the capital of Trumpland, Washington DC, the ground hopper in me looked to see if I would catch a DC United Major League Soccer (MLS) game in the 10 days we were there. Unfortunately, they were playing their games ‘on the road; while their new purpose built soccer stadium, the 20,000 capacity Audi Field was being built. Ah well, I would compensate by slipping in a visit to the old stadium, the Robert F Kennedy Stadium, as well as check up on how the new build was coming along. On looking up the location of the RFK I found that there would be a soccer game (of sorts) on while I was visiting, the ‘Clasico De Campeones‘. This was to involve two Central American countries, Honduras and El Salvador, sounds interesting I thought and duly bought a ticket online. It turned out to be one of a series of challenge games involving the champions of El Salvador, Allianza, and the champions of Honduras, Olimpia. They had played in New York the previous week, thre Hondurans winning 4-2.
The dilapidated RFK Stadium was built in the 1960s and has been home to all manner of American sports over the decades, including the home ground for the Washington Diplomats NASL team and DC United. The week before it had even staged a Wales v South Africa rugby match.
A colourful, noisy, crowd of about 4,000 central Americans enjoyed a lively contest. One notable chap on the field was a certain Wilson Palacios, formerly of Wigan, Spurs and Stoke, trundling around the Honduran midfield, wearing the captain’s armband.
An entertaining encounter ended 3-1 to the El Salvador champions, with an ‘unauthorised’ firework display from the ultras during the latter stages of the second half.
The future of the ground that had been graced by the likes of Pele, Cruyff and Beckenbauer during the Washington Diplomats (NASL) years and staged 1994 World Cup fixtures and was the home of DC United from 1996 is uncertain, so I was chuffed to have got in a visit to the historic old venue. Wooden seats Game on Ultras Palacios (right)
On visiting the Audi Field, which was due to be opened for the DC United v Vancouver Whitecaps game in mid-July, I found the surrounding area was still pretty much a building site. So, no chance of sneaking inside for a photo opportunity.
Miraculously, the brand new home of DC United was ready in time for their MLS game, which was also to be Wayne Rooney‘s debut.