Inter Miami, D.C. United prep for MLS’ first game in Baltimore

Inter Miami will face D.C. United at 4pm ET on Saturday in the first MLS match played in Baltimore. M&T Bank Stadium, with a capacity of 71,008, is three times larger than United’s Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Maryland Stadium Authority Head of Security Vernon Conaway Jr. said there will be “additional field security,” both “in uniform and in non-uniform capacities,” after Inter Miami F Lionel Messi was swarmed by fans during a preseason match last week in Puerto Rico (BALTIMORE BANNER, 3/6).

United CEO Jason Levien said the “demand is there to fill that stadium,” adding it is “also showing the passion for soccer in Maryland.” He was in Annapolis, where he was “making the rounds to press” for a 12,000-seat soccer stadium in Baltimore. The game being played in Baltimore could help D.C. United’s push to “build a new stadium and expansion teams” in Maryland (AXIOS, 3/4).