Why doesn't Bethesda have their own facility?

[Anonymous]

I know money is probably a big issue, but a club that has been around that long should have the financial ability to find a vacant couple of acres and create their own facility instead of cobbling together fields here and there at various times during the week.

Have they ever considered getting a 'base' for practices and training and whatnot?

[Anonymous]

You answered your own question. Bethesda isn't the most affordable location in the area! In fact, I don't see many clubs with their own facility because of that very reason. The 2 that I know of is Loudoun (3-4 turf fields) and SYA (3-5 grass fields). But even they rent out county fields to supplement, but i'm always envious when we play those clubs because of the facilities.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda does control a field in Poolesville but that is a hike from Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda does control a field in Poolesville but that is a hike from Bethesda.

They don't control that field, they rent it.

[Anonymous]

It's an embarrassment to the club, pure and simple.
MSI is partnering with the county left and right to help build and use new turf fields while BSC twidles its thumbs.
Every away game we play has better fields than any home game. Our practice facilities are terrible. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an embarrassment to the club, pure and simple.
MSI is partnering with the county left and right to help build and use new turf fields while BSC twidles its thumbs.
Every away game we play has better fields than any home game. Our practice facilities are terrible. Sad.

You know why MSI is building these fields left and right? Read this: https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/sports/mcps-settles-lawsuit-with-msi-soccer-paving-way-for-new-turf-fields-at-four-schools/ MSI and Potomac were unhappy with the fact that Bethesda had been investing in and using an increasing number of the area fields, and this was the result. Not sure why you'd think it's an "embarassment" to the Club, and I also think the suggestion that that BSC could simply buy a couple of vacant acres in Bethesda for a home field to be hysterical. Do you have any idea what that would cost, or how unlikely they'd be to get a permit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an embarrassment to the club, pure and simple.
MSI is partnering with the county left and right to help build and use new turf fields while BSC twidles its thumbs.
Every away game we play has better fields than any home game. Our practice facilities are terrible. Sad.

You know why MSI is building these fields left and right? Read this: https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/sports/mcps-settles-lawsuit-with-msi-soccer-paving-way-for-new-turf-fields-at-four-schools/ MSI and Potomac were unhappy with the fact that Bethesda had been investing in and using an increasing number of the area fields, and this was the result. Not sure why you'd think it's an "embarrassment" to the Club, and I also think the suggestion that that BSC could simply buy a couple of vacant acres in Bethesda for a home field to be hysterical. Do you have any idea what that would cost, or how unlikely they'd be to get a permit?

Same with Arlington, the county purchased about a 6-acre plot for ~$30+ million and plans to use it for bus & county vehicle parking. ASA raises a lot of money, but not that kind of money, and big pieces of land don't just pop up very often - and when they do, Arlington County usually stumbles and misses the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure BSC paid for the Walter Johnson turf field in exchange for usage (maybe 1000 hours a year for 10 years, could be near the end of that). Also I think Richard Montgomery is scheduled for a turf replacement coming up. Also Potomac Soccer partnered with the Churchill Boosters recently (after the linked article) to build the Churchill field and that was met with another suit by MSI saying their bid was stronger.

[Anonymous]

Space in Bethesda is at an incredible premium. The Bethesda ES will soon be over capacity, despite its recent addition, and if they can't afford new space, their field will disappear under a building.

And you think a soccer club can BUY space?
Why don't you foot the bill, OP?

[Anonymous]

The only area maybe more expensive than Bethesda is north Arlington. Unless Jeff bezos decides to put amazons hq there and gets pissed like that discovery channel guy I cannot see any club getting land in Bethesda or Arlington.

[Anonymous]

The WJ field is in terrible shape. The surface is so worn down and hard that it presents a hazard to athletes, interscholastic and club soccer. MoCo needs to upgrade it ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Wtf that sounds like something that you should get with the county about, not trying to slander a club

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:Is anyone here familiar with the Maryland SoccerPlex?

Some of the parents and even some of the coaches I've met at Bethesda dread a practice up there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:Is anyone here familiar with the Maryland SoccerPlex?

Some of the parents and even some of the coaches I've met at Bethesda dread a practice up there.

Exactly. It's great for games, but try getting there for a 5:00 practice if you live in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:Is anyone here familiar with the Maryland SoccerPlex?

Some of the parents and even some of the coaches I've met at Bethesda dread a practice up there.

Exactly. It's great for games, but try getting there for a 5:00 practice if you live in Bethesda.

That makes sense.

I'd think the problem with having more fields in Bethesda itself is the same as the problem with having more fields in McLean, Vienna, etc. It's too close to D.C., too built-up and too expensive.

I'm not intimately familiar with Bethesda real estate, but is there a place they could even build a mini-plex?

It’s time to start looking out if the box. There are some large building with flat roofs. Maybe the county could encourage these in t(e design process and it would be a source of additional revenue to the landlord.