Keep United in DC

Despite the steady consolidation of Major League Soccer, the United States of America's flagship football league has its problems. The youth structure does not naturally lend itself to superstar production, for example. And the refereeing isn't too great (but it's still better than the shit we have to tolerate).

Some other issues that have dogged MLS are the location of stadiums, whether they're full and whether it's worth the effort. Franchises have been moved, and probably will be again. FC Dallas (and I'm sorry to keep banging on about them) suffer from low attendances, partly due to Pizza Hut Park's inconvenient location, and could face a move in the future.

But one club with strong support and a decent fledgling history is all but on the brink, and on Saturday supporters of DC United will march in support of the area finding a new home for the club, which recently faced a setback when MLS commissioner Don Garber's indication that he would be willing to move the franchise if necessary was quickly followed by the refusal of local officials in Prince George's County to even consider a debate on the matter.

One of United's leading supporters groups, La Barra Brava, is leading the Keep United in DC march this Saturday for the game against Toronto FC at the club's unsustainable home, RFK Stadium.

The march is not a negative protest against local officials, Garber, Major League Soccer or anybody else - it's simply a show of support for the motion, and it's one that should be shared by supporters of other clubs. That's because it's time for MLS supporters to gain a unified voice, and it was a proposal made by Match Fit USA's Jason Davis.

So come Saturday, fans of DCU, Toronto and - hopefully - other clubs in MLS will come together to show the nation that football supporters are ready to stand up and be counted.

Good luck on Saturday if you're marching. Keep United in DC.