Talks Fall Apart On Stadium for D.C. Soccer Team

Then-Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) backed the stadium, but Fenty had been noncommittal. MacFarlane, a wealthy San Francisco real estate investor, bought United in January and pledged to work with Ward 8 to build a mixed-use development.

MacFarlane pledged to build a youth athletic field in Ward 8 and has attended numerous community meetings. He and other team officials are scheduled to attend D.C. United Family Fun Day tomorrow at Ketcham Elementary School on 15th Street SE, an event that was billed as a way to "publicly share the club's vision for a stadium at Poplar Point."

United President Kevin Payne declined to comment through a spokesman.

The team is the most successful franchise in Major League Soccer history, having won four league titles in 11 seasons.

Since 1999, MLS teams in Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Columbus, Ohio, have moved into new medium-sized facilities. The New York and Salt Lake City clubs have also broken ground on new facilities.

"We have put forth a very expansive plan that obviously addresses the needs of the soccer team and the soccer fans," Chase said. "We have also been addressing the needs and wants in Ward 8, where people are interested in improved community opportunities, retail and jobs."

Staff writers Steven Goff and Martin Weil contributed to this report.