A $5 Million Soccer Stadium Is Being Built At Kendall Campus

Fútbol has been all the rave in the 305 since Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami last summer. 

The sport has also taken center stage at Miami Dade College. 

In April, the school announced a partnership with FIFA to bring a fútbol exhibition, a soccer-themed speaker series and internships for students this fall.

The collaboration coincides with the launch of the College’s men and women’s soccer teams in August. 

Now, an on-campus soccer stadium is coming. 

“[I’m] extremely excited to bring a soccer complex to Miami Dade College,” said Mike Balado, MDC’s athletic director, who hopes the field will also serve as a training ground for FIFA World Cup athletes in 2026. “Not only will it be a great venue for our teams and fans, but a strong revenue maker for the College.”

The $5 million project, which has been in the planning stages since last fall and broke ground on March 1, replaces the track and field that was located next to building G. 

It will feature practice and game day fields—both up to FIFA regulation standards—a score board, concession stand, press box, bleachers and professional stadium lighting.  

The soccer complex will also showcase a sculpture created by local artist Rafael Consuerga, who died in 2021. It is part of his Olympic series entitled “Reach for the Goal.”

“We’re having a stadium pretty much built for us, so you really have to take pride,” said Bianca Mandrini, assistant coach for MDC’s women’s soccer team. “It’s an opportunity that a lot of junior colleges do not have. I think the teams and coaches [are] going to take a lot of pride in it.”

The stadium, originally expected to be finished by fall, has encountered obstacles and will not be ready for the start of the season. When asked by The Reporter for specifics as to when it might be completed, Balado did not provide more information.

“All I’ll say about the stadium is I’m excited to see it when it’s finished, and anything that we do here at Miami Dade [College], we want to do to the best of our ability…” Balado said. “So however long that takes, we’re going to make sure that we’re diligent and we’re patient, to make sure that we get the nicest stadium and the best stadium for our fans and for our players.”

When complete, the facility will have direct access to the gymnasium in building G, where lockers, showers and restrooms are located. 

It will also feature concession stands and the stadium-style seating, which will be located on the east side of the complex and will accommodate more than 700 people.

Free parking and Wi-Fi will be available for fans. Students will be able to attend home games for free.

“The stadium is being built to have a better space for us, the team, to train daily,” said Agustin Bezara, a newly recruited central defender for the men’s soccer team. “Playing here at home, we will have the community supporting us and that makes us feel excited and ready to play.”

Giuseppe DePalo, the head coach for MDC’s men’s soccer team, believes the venue will galvanize the community. 

“It’ll be a great place to bring the world’s game to Miami,” DePalo said. 

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