Goff,

Can you help out us that are unfamiliar with MLS terminology? What does Payne mean by "Discovery Player". Does it just mean someone who was not selected in the draft, basically a free agent?

Thanks!

It was nice to see the consistency of DC United's recruiting philosophy spill over into Kevin citing two South American stadiums as models. We definitely do not have a Euro-centric FO. This is a good thing.

I submitted a question in advance of the chat that Payne apparently chose not to answer, so I'll repeat it here, in case someone else can answer it: What is the deal with the upper deck at RFK? It appears that for most matches, only lower-deck and mezzanine seats are offered for sale; however, there are apparently some exceptions to this rule.

I prefer a more aerial view, but most matches do not excite me to the point that I would be willing to pay through the nose for mezzanine seats. If I could get to sit in my preferred Section 410 (or nearby), I'd go to RFK more often to see United play.

You're right about La Bombonera, which has a fantastic environment, but Santiago Bernabeu is in Madrid. Latin flair, maybe, but definitely in Europe.

PSU,

That's been the case for four years or so. They get a cut on rent/expenses, if they don't use/operate the upperdeck of RFK. It also cuts down the number of tickets available, creating a less supply/more demand element.

When there are big games, or ticket sales approach a certain number, they indeed open up the upper deck, one or two sections at a time.

I also asked a question that didn't get answered. Any chance they'll reconfigure the stands at RFK back to the old way once the Nats leave?

Having a stadium modeled after La Bombonera would be absolutely magnificent! The home field advantage that would be gained from the completion of such an endeavor would be unparalleled in the MLS. I hope to see this idea come to fruition very soon!

In LaBombonera it's not the stadium but the support.

Chico,

True, getting great support is half the battle, but implementing proper acoustics into stadium design is the other half. Riddle me this: would you rather have a boisterous and passionate Barra Brava, Screaming Eagles and la Norte in a stadium similar to Colorado's (where the word steep seating does not even come into play) or to La Bombonera??? I'll take the latter, thank you!

I'd take it over the RedBulls support in La Bombonera.

Kim,

I thank you for your explanation of the upper deck situation at RFK, which sort of confirms what I suspected all along. I just wish they would communicate more clearly those occasions on which seats in the upper deck will be available.