Many in Montgomery County have enjoyed the Maryland SoccerPlex since it opened nearly 25 years ago at 18031 Central Park Circle in Boyds, MD, welcoming over 1 million visitors annually. Now, the SoccerPlex is gathering feedback for a possible rebrand. “This survey is specifically gathering insights from Montgomery County residents to ensure we reflect the preferences and needs of the people who use our facilities most. Your honest answers will help shape future changes that could have a meaningful impact on the sports and activities offered in our community.”
Survey questions include:
• Do you think “soccer” is a significant part of the current name “Maryland SoccerPlex”?
• What would make the Maryland SoccerPlex feel more welcoming or exciting for non-soccer participants?
• Do you believe the current name “Maryland SoccerPlex” limits the potential for other sports and activities at the facility?
Opened in 2000 through a public-private partnership between the Maryland Soccer Foundation and the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), the facility was also built with the help of local clubs including Montgomery Soccer Inc. (MSI), Bethesda Soccer Club, Damascus Soccer Club, Potomac Soccer Club, and the Washington International Soccer League.
The complex’s 24 professionally maintained fields have earned national recognition and come in varied turf types: eight fields feature Kentucky Bluegrass (cool-season grass); 10 feature Bermudagrass (warm-season grass); three are hybrids; and three are synthetic turf. Fields are organized into pods of two to five fields with dedicated parking and permanent restroom facilities. Configurations can be adjusted for different age groups and sports.
At the heart of the SoccerPlex lies Maureen Hendrick’s Field at Championship Stadium. This intimate, bowl-like stadium seats 3,200 hard seats, with a total capacity of 5,000 and room for temporary seating if required. The stadium features fencing for secure access and is equipped to host professional soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and other sports, with ground sleeves for goals, a fully functional press box, sound system, video board, and scoreboard. Maureen Hendrick’s Field has hosted Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches, Major League Soccer games, international friendlies, and Atlantic Coast Conference Soccer Championships. It is the only non-Major League Soccer stadium to win Field of the Year from the Sports Turf Manager Association.
Also within the park is the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse (formerly the Discovery Sports Center), a 46,000-square-foot arena. From March to November, the Fieldhouse features eight basketball and/or volleyball courts on a lined urethane surface, with courts that measure 86 by 46 feet for basketball and standard sizes for volleyball. In November, the facility converts to two indoor synthetic turf fields (measuring 200 by 85 feet) for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball, and rugby—fields set up without boards. A light concession stand called the Fieldhouse Café offers snacks and drinks, while additional amenities include two locker rooms and several meeting rooms available for events in the Fieldhouse or Championship Stadium.
The Maryland SoccerPlex remains a vibrant hub for sports, community events, and active lifestyles in Montgomery County. Information courtesy of The Montgomery County Tourism Board