The Post’s David Nakamura says some Maryland officials would like to lure D.C. United across the border. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, noting the derailed talks between D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. United owner Victor MacFarlane, wrote a letter to the Maryland Stadium Authority asking them to look at snagging United for themselves.

“In the wake of these developments, I would strongly urge the Maryland Stadium Authority to meet with representatives from the United to learn more about its proposal and explore potential opportunities to bring this great franchise to the State of Maryland,” Franchot wrote. “If an ideal site could be found and a development agreement reached with the franchise, this project could yield enormous benefits for our State.”

Should a deal between D.C. United and Maryland begin to be explored, surely Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry will be vocal about how Fenty’s unwillingness to bend on his financial plans for Poplar Point let the team slip away from the District. Then again, we’ve heard reports about United leaving the District before. Still, this kind of interest in negotiating from the Comptroller must be a welcome sign to MacFarlane, who has been rather public about his disappointment with Fenty.