Two Crystal Palaces (and one stunning stadium) in Waldorf, July 13

I hadn’t been to Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, since it was under construction two years ago. The match between Crystal Palace FC (England) and Crystal Palace Baltimore (their American affiliate) was an opportunity to experience a professional soccer match, and see how the stadium has meshed into the fiber of Southern Maryland since its completion.

We arrived at the stadium more than an hour before the match and were surprised at the number of cars already there, indicative of something I was to hear later from a County Commissioner. Not merely a ballfield, Regency Stadium is a community center, concert venue, and commuter hub. That night, a corporate client was having a regional meeting in one of the conference rooms. After only a year and a half of operation, Regency hosts several hundred events a year, some occurring simultaneously.

What I wanted to see most was the award-winning bumper boat pond, which flowed under the left field promenade like a moat. A young man in soccer attire asked quizzically what the strange looking pool was. Seems he was from England, on holiday in the former colonies while he followed his favorite team on their summer tour. (And I thought the Red Sox had groupies.) The water-squirting bumper boats, rock wall, and moon bounce, all part of our ballpark family fun, are a foreign concept in the real world of futbal. I suspect the country music blaring over the loudspeaker might be, too. Nonetheless, he was pleased to be in the rural setting and was surprised to learn it wasn't part of Baltimore.

The opening was most impressive, with both national anthems. (Enjoyed a robust rendition of "God Save the Queen" with two embassy diplomats in the suite.) Once the match began, it took a while to catch on that the clock was counting up instead of down. Terry explained the logic, but I still don’t get it. It would be hopeless to describe the action on the field that night, except it was well received by the crowd. What I can describe is the absolute joy of the many youngsters in league soccer gear who frolicked on the field prior to the game and cheered with their families in the stands. Their energy was infectious. The regulars remarked on the transformation of a baseball diamond to a turf field sans pitcher’s mound. No lumps. Amazing.

We didn’t stay for the fireworks, but the evening provided enough color and excitement even without them. I’m reminded how long Charles County waited for their stadium – more than ten years – and how fraught with controversy it was while officials and citizens debated where it should go and who should pay for it.

Today, the Blue Crabs are a beloved , successful franchise. (You should see the kids fawning over Pinch the Crab. He works the crowd like Chuck E. Cheese.) The stadium will anchor a growth corridor where a new Southern Maryland College campus and high school athletic center will emerge in the next few years. Regency Furniture stadium, reminiscent of an old Charles County tobacco barn with its russet color and sloping roof, will make a comfortable transition from a rural setting to a vibrant suburb as it provides the citizens of Southern Maryland with a first rate multipurpose venue.