Warner Family Stadium - FC Frederick
- Gregory Koch
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29
Warner Family Stadium 3989 Buckeystown Pike
Buckeystown, MD 21704
Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 400
Semi-Pro Soccer in Frederick
FC Frederick is a a semi-professional soccer team competing in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a league consisting mainly of current and recently graduated college players, plus the occasional former professional who just wants to continue playing somewhere. FC Frederick plays their home games at St. John's Catholic Prep, in a stadium that is variously called Warner Family Field, Warner Family Stadium, and simply Warner Stadium. The FC Frederick website lists their venue as the school itself, without naming the stadium at all. Whatever you call the venue, it is home to several St. John's teams during the school year, and in the summer, FC Frederick calls it home.
Like many teams at this level, the FC Frederick organization also includes several youth and academy teams of various ages. This review will focus on the NPSL experience, but be aware that the name can refer to other clubs as well.
Food & Beverage 0
There is a concession window at Warner Family Stadium, but it was closed when we attended an FC Frederick game. The team website indicates it has been open in previous seasons, so perhaps it will be open again at some point. Fans can bring their own food and drink, with the exception of alcohol since this is a school.
Atmosphere 2
There is a relatively large set of bleachers at midfield of Warner Family Stadium, plus several smaller sets of bleachers next to it. Even the larger set of bleachers is smaller than at many other high school stadiums, making for an intimate feel. There is no track lining the field like at some low-level stadiums, so you will be up close to the action wherever you sit. Since the stadium hosts several sports, there are a lot of lines on the field, not just soccer, and it can be somewhat confusing. A scoreboard in the far left corner shows the score and clock, and has a space to show the shots for each team, but did not actually do so when we visited.
Signs on the back of the bleachers reference "Away", "Home", and "Student" sections, but these are for St. John's football games and can be ignored if watching FC Frederick. There is no student section, since this is not a school team, and the FC Frederick bench is actually on the side marked "Away", across the field from the bleachers. St. John's has their image on the stadium in other ways too. Midfield is adorned with the school's logo (actually a knockoff Minnesota Vikings logo) and the scoreboard refers to the home team as the "Vikings" regardless of who is actually playing.
An FC Frederick game is an extremely basic experience. There are no player introductions, no music, no announcements, and not even a national anthem. There is nothing to experience other than what is going on on the field. The good news is you will be able to hear all the chatter between the players, coaches, and even referees. The bad news is that there's nothing else here.
Neighborhood 3
Despite the club name, FC Frederick actually plays their home games in Buckeystown, just outside the city limits of Frederick. Although Buckeystown has some options, your best bet is to make the short drive into Downtown Frederick, which offers a range of different options, from Maxwell's Burgers and Shakes to the popular brewpub Brewer's Alley. Francis Scott Key's grave is also located in Frederick, and history buffs may want to check it out.
Fans 3
FC Frederick draws a couple hundred fans to a typical home game, spread out throughout the bleachers, plus a few who stand along the fence surrounding the field for a closer view. Some of these fans are friends and family of the players, but there are also many locals, including families with young kids. These children have a tendency to run up and down the bleachers, which can be distracting, and there is no staff to stop them. Other than the sound of kids running and screaming, there is very little energy from the crowd. They may applaud after FC Frederick scores, but that is about it.
Access 3
St. John's Catholic Prep is located a few miles off I-270, just south of its intersection with I-70. Depending on which direction you are coming from, you may drive the last few miles along scenic but twisty and curvy back roads. Once you get to St. John's, you will want to pull around to the back of the school, where ample parking is available right next to the stadium. There is also a spacious lot in front of the school if this fills up, although you will need to walk a bit.
Restrooms are located by the entrance next to the closed concession stand, and are sufficient for the crowds FC Frederick draws.
Return on Investment 4
Admission to FC Frederick games is free of charge. There are no other costs associated with the game either. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score.
Extras 1
Warner Family Stadium is located on the west bank of the Monocacy River, and while you can't see the river itself from the stadium, you have scenic views of the hills overlooking it. That's about the only extra here, however.
Final Thoughts
Even for the NPSL, an FC Frederick game is a pretty basic experience. That being said, it's hard to complain about being able to watch a soccer game, up close to the action, for free, on a beautiful summer night.
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