A Part of History

This evening in Leesburg, Virginia, I'll be one of 5,000 people to attend the very first game at Segra Field, the home of Loudoun United. The Loudoun team is the USL affiliate of DC United, competing in the second division of American professional soccer.

The outlying elements of the stadium aren't quite complete, but we're ready to kick off this evening. 
Our soccer Club's complex is in the center-left part of the image, up the hill from Segra Field.

Loudoun United is in the midst of its inaugural season as a franchise. Despite having no real home of its own (the team has played at Audi Field in DC and various small venues in the area), the squad has carved out a respectable 5-4-9 record, good for 14th in the 18-team league. Of note, the local side trounced defending USL champions Louisville City, 3-0, on July 28.

Most of you will recall the vital role yours truly played in ensuring our local political officials approved the stadium plan for Loudoun United. Humility being my general modus operandi, I don't take credit for it. But I think we all know how big a deal I am. Just happy to help, really.

As I scan the USL standings, it's a bit of a kick to see Loudoun County, my home, listed among places like Charlotte, Indianapolis, Louisville, Memphis, Atlanta, and Ottawa. The team is putting us on the map, baby.

For those that follow these things, there's a W&M connection at play tonight, as well. Antonio Bustamante, W&M Class of 2019, is a striker for Loudoun United. In the aforementioned 3-0 win over Louisville City, he scored his first professional goal and recorded an assist. The buildup to the tally starts around 0:15 in the video below:



The stadium is a little gem of a thing, just down the hill from my local youth club's facility. In the coming year, DC United also plans to build a new headquarters facility in the same area, moving their training operations to Leesburg, as well. Soccer mecca, y'all.

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't excited about tonight's game and the team's presence in my town. As the game grows in our country, and I work to help kids grow as people and players, this is a pretty damn cool thing.

Viva Loudoun!