WASHINGTON -- DC United will play its first game in its new stadium in just a few days, but not all of its fans are happy.
Audi Field, a $300 million project, will sit about 20,000 fans. However, some are curious how many fans will come from DC United's historic supporter groups.
At RFK Stadium, DC United could rely on fans from Barra Brava, the District Ultras and the Screaming Eagles to fill the stands.
However, in February, the soccer club revealed a new policy that immediately created division.
The team announced in a press release that it would enter into a partnership with only the Screaming Eagles.
"The Screaming Eagles will take the lead role to manage all aspects of the supporter culture including single game supporter tickets sales for both home and road matches," the press release stated.
Barra Brava founder Oscar Zambrana said his group of 1,500 fans instantly felt left out of DC United's plans.
He said while the Screaming Eagles have been able to purchase a block of season tickets to sell to the general public, his group has been unable to have the same success.
"We have asked to buy a block of seats for our members and basically we were just denied," Zambrana said.
Barra Brava wants a block of tickets so it can sit together and accommodate other fans who can't afford season passes. The group said it got an email from DC United's CEO directing its members to buy season tickets. However, the message did not say anything about a block ticket option.
"We're trying to see if we can get equal treatment and fair treatment," Zambrana said.
Barra Brava and District Ultras members plan to hold a "Stadium For All Supporters' March" before the game on Saturday.
It will start at 6:45 p.m. and go from Canal Park to Audi Field.
Zambrana said Barra Brava members who enter the stadium will not perform any of their traditional chants or drum beats.
"The only thing that we're asking is a stadium for all," he said. "That's all that we want."
WUSA9 reached out to DC United for comment, but has yet to hear back from the team.
The president of the Screaming Eagles said the partnership between his group and DC United is not a part of a written contract. He said it came together as a statement of intent to work more closely together between the two sides.
