Ahead of a January 10 Loudoun County Board of Supervisors’ hearing on D.C. United’s offices and stadium for a USL stadium, the Memorandum of Agreement between D.C. United and Loudoun County is available to review online. In addition, there is a staff report that includes members of the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Management and Budget, the County Administrator and County Attorney’s Office.

There is a little bit to digest here, so let’s jump right into the details:

The team is not only repaying the County’s $15 million financing but assuming any overage costs on building and upgrades (expected in 15 to 20 years). Moreover, the County will have the option to use the stadium on non-gamedays, and use the parking around the stadium site (estimated around 1,000 spots) for use as well for possible weekday commuter shuttles (read: Park & Rides).

Lease term is 40 years with options to push it to 60, and there may be the possibility of site expansion. Along with that, United’s B team won’t be relocated, and another lower-division team will be found if the DC affiliation ends. Here to stay, indeed.

Speaking of the USL team, they will kick off in the spring of 2019. And if this language is to be taken to heart, we may be close to a name already:

“Loudoun” shall be part of the team name (e.g., “Loudoun United”), subject to league approval. Additionally, “Loudoun” shall be incorporated into the design of the USL Team’s road jerseys.

Having a familiarity with Leesburg and the surrounding areas, and seeing the Metro line expansion progress each workday, I believe the apprehensions about the location are unfounded (to say nothing of any breach of agreement with the District). In between the staff recommendation and various Board members voicing their support of the project before the MOA was made public, I’m looking forward to seeing the Black-and-Red take the next step to organizational health.

The hearing will be open to the public and is available to watch via webcast on the County’s website.