D.C. United Hosts Inter Miami at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium

Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard defends the decision to move the match to a larger venue.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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D.C. United hosted Inter Miami at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, instead of their home stadium Audi Field in Washington D.C. The match drew a crowd of 72,026, the second-largest attendance for an MLS game this season after Inter Miami played LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard addressed the backlash from some fans about teams moving home games to other stadiums, saying it's a 'no-brainer' to play in the largest venue possible to accommodate high-profile matches featuring stars like Lionel Messi.

Why it matters

The decision to host the D.C. United vs. Inter Miami match in Baltimore instead of Washington D.C. sparked backlash from some fans who felt the game should have been played at the team's home stadium. However, Tim Howard argues that maximizing attendance and exposure for high-profile matches featuring global stars like Messi is more important, even if it means moving the game to a larger venue in a different city.

The details

D.C. United hosted Inter Miami at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, instead of their usual home stadium Audi Field in Washington D.C. The match drew an attendance of 72,026, the second-largest crowd for an MLS game this season after Inter Miami played LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard defended the decision to move the game, saying that the league should prioritize breaking attendance records and playing in the largest stadiums possible for high-profile matches featuring global stars like Lionel Messi.

  • The D.C. United vs. Inter Miami match took place on March 7, 2026.

The players

Tim Howard

A former United States Men's National Team goalkeeper who is now a soccer commentator.

Lionel Messi

The Argentine soccer superstar who plays for Inter Miami CF in MLS.

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What they’re saying

“Anything to do with Messi, I don't care. Whatever he does is right. What are you going to do?… If it's an Inter Miami game, you have to move it like the nearest big massive stadium.”

— Tim Howard, Former USMNT Goalkeeper (Unfiltered Soccer Podcast)

“You want to get 70,000. Take your home stadium that you play in, draw the closest line to a 70,000-seat stadium, and that's where you play. It's a no-brainer.”

— Tim Howard, Former USMNT Goalkeeper (Unfiltered Soccer Podcast)

What’s next

The MLS will likely continue to evaluate the best locations to host high-profile matches featuring star players like Lionel Messi in order to maximize attendance and exposure.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between appeasing local fans and maximizing the reach and attendance for marquee MLS matchups. While some fans may be upset about home games being played in other cities, the league appears willing to prioritize breaking attendance records and showcasing global superstars like Messi even if it means moving games to larger neutral-site venues.