Killing a couple horses this week. sooo Dynamo stadium construction progress?

Regarding the reporting of US sports results here in UK is slightly confusing, especially in the newspapers; e;g
RedSox 5 Orioles 2, now is that the RedSox @ Orioles, or Orioles v RedSox????

It depends on the perspective I guess, but as an independent source, it should be reported as Orioles vs Red Sox.

Killing a couple horses this week. sooo Dynamo stadium construction progress?

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1660096&page=35

http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/livestrong-park-corner-view.jpg
http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/liverstrong-park-endline.jpg
http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/livestrong-park-teal-bunbury-2.jpg
http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/livestrong-park-pitch.jpg

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nice stadium

http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/603707vw_livestrongsportingpark_01_470.jpg
http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/800510vw_stadium_street_01c.jpg
http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/615480vw_stadium_street_01e.jpg
http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/378964vw_livestrongsportingpark_06_470.jpg
http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/700752vw_livestrongsportingpark_10_470.jpg
http://www.sportingkcstadium.com/components/com_gk3_photoslide/thumbs_big/794681vw_speedwayview.jpg

Nice little stadium.

Can't wait to see the Timbers vs Sounders game

Is the capacity still going to be 36k for the game?

Nice little stadium.
That's more than nice, to be honest. It's a solid venue that's unique from the norm and not cheaply given over to the soccer stadium/performance venue that was the early MLS norm. I love that the exterior has some distinct characteristics.

Still early, but this stadium is exceeding my expectations in most every way thus far. Bravo, Kansas City. Bravo.

Yep ... that stadium is awesome. Looks like a slightly cheaper version of Red Bull Arena ... which makes it the second best SSS in the league. BMO Field is so crap in comparison.

Yep ... that stadium is awesome. Looks like a slightly cheaper version of Red Bull Arena ... which makes it the second best SSS in the league. BMO Field is so crap in comparison.

TFC has outgrown BMO. It was originally built on the cheap because it had to be finished fast for the U-20 tournament and because no one really knew how successful soccer would be in Toronto (the Lynx were not exactly setting attendance records). It is five years later and the demand for soccer in Toronto is quite evident. It is time for MLSE to start making plans for a decent stadium like Red Bull Arena and turn crappy BMO over to the Argos. A 30,000 seat Red Bull Arena would send TFC into the stratosphere and would be the best soccer venue in North America.

TFC has outgrown BMO. It was originally built on the cheap because it had to be finished fast for the U-20 tournament and because no one really knew how successful soccer would be in Toronto (the Lynx were not exactly setting attendance records). It is five years later and the demand for soccer in Toronto is quite evident. It is time for MLSE to start making plans for a decent stadium like Red Bull Arena and turn crappy BMO over to the Argos. A 30,000 seat Red Bull Arena would send TFC into the stratosphere and would be the best soccer venue in North America.

Why start from scratch? BMO is easily expandable and its not that hard to beautify it. Put another 10-15,000 seats in and throw on some interesting bells and whistles and save yourself a bundle.

Also, A 30,000 seat stadium that isn't full looks worse than a 20,000 seat stadium that is packed and loud IMHO.

No way. They need to put the expansion plans on the shelf. All the constant losing has taken its toll. The demand for tickets really isn't that high anymore. The only reason demand is inflated is because there are like 16,000 people on the waiting list. The people who currently have the season tix are die hards where as it is quite likely that the people on the waiting list will most likely refuse if they were given the oppurtunity (or unless they were offered the cheapest seats).

The problem with BMO is that it was built on the cheap. No facade ... no roof ... minimal amenities. It was built to meet the bare minimum necessities. The capacity is ok for the foreseeable future in my opinion.

Why start from scratch? BMO is easily expandable and its not that hard to beautify it. Put another 10-15,000 seats in and throw on some interesting bells and whistles and save yourself a bundle.

Also, A 30,000 seat stadium that isn't full looks worse than a 20,000 seat stadium that is packed and loud IMHO.

BMO really is a cheap stadium. I would not put anymore money into it. TFC has the same problem as the Leafs and the Raptors, terrible ownership. MLSE has done a horrible job with TFC with no playoffs in five years. Just like with the Leafs (how do you screw up hockey in the biggest hockey market in the world), MLSE has not done what is needed to build a winning team. Give TFC a decent place to play and a winning team, and they would easily fill a 30,000 seat arena (just like Seattle). Toronto has some great soccer fans, but unfortunately just like Leafs fans, they better get used to losing because MLSE management couldn't get laid in a whorehouse.

A little humility if you please, folks.

BMO and Crew Stadiums are indeed a tier (or two) behind their younger peers, but they're bona fide home venues for clubs and a league still seeking to cement their identities. The league remains financially humble in its earnings and will remain so until media revenues begin to grow by geometric proportions. Which means there's very little incentive for drastic investment that won't bring about an equally increased stream of revenues, even with the likely unpopular increase in ticket prices.

Verily, MLS fans should be quite cautious before sounding out about the "deservedness" for better stadiums. The Home Depot Center isn't even 10 years old!

1999 - Crew Stadium
2003 - Home Depot Center
2005 - Pizza Hut Park
2006 - Toyota Park
2007 - Dick's Sporting Goods Park, BMO Field
2008 - Rio Tinto Stadium
2010 - PPL Park, Red Bull Arena

I also seem to recall a couple years ago BMO set the standard for league atmosphere, which suggests the venue can work just fine for now.

The ownership? That's something I can't help you with. Sorry.

Cheers. :cheers:

Gunner, I agree with you 100%. Stadiums are often seem like arms races where where everyone is trying to be the best. Attendance at BMO is dropping because of poor performance on the field, some of the highest ticket prices in the league and an ownership group that seems to take its fans for granted. We TFC fans swarmed BMO in the beginning because we were crazy about getting a MLS team. We knew back then it was a crappy stadium (remember the bolts falling out of the stadium structure) but we were just happy to get any soccer specific stadium. Keep in mind that BMO only cost $62 million (Canadian Dollars) to build (most of the other new MLS stadiums cost well over $100+ million) and was designed more to host the FIFA U-20 tournament than a professional sports organization. Considering the size of the Toronto market, the profitability of TFC, and the very large fan base; sometime in the next five years we should at least be talking about building what Kansas City has now.

Don't get me wrong, I do think it behooves these clubs to escape anything that gives the appearance of being a third tier league, such as venues that can't compete with the local high school! If BMO is structurally deficient then by all means it should be renovated. But as we all know the political climate is tough for public support these days and I can't see MLSE paying for something brand new all their own, so griping about a 5 year old stadium doesn't sound all that good.

Besides, I can't speak as to the viability for the overall site and its location in the city but I'm a strong advocate for rehab projects (I think of it as extreme recycling!) and I'd love to see if there's a way to take the existing facility and get it done right. Might yield a lot more character than a new facility (think Jeld-Wen Field), and done right would allow for incremental development that is easier to swallow financially and schedule-wise. One man's opinion, anyway.

Regardless I hope TFC fans retain their spirit and someday have a place we're all enamored with.

any pics from portland home opener?

any pics from portland home opener?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DkbUDXfPPE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRraf2NCH4

^^Dang! I'm not a soccer fan but I like that first video!^^

Not crazy about the singing. I don't get that at all!

I had the great pleasure of studying abroad in the U.S. for a year and as such experienced professional baseball and basketball, and college American Football and Basketball and I was utterly confused as to why there wasn't any singing, instead just a wall of noise or simple chants like "DEFENCE" etc. Having American soccer fans singing is as I imagine, another attempt to be similar to the European Leagues.

I've always found it weird that Liverpool sing a song from a 1945 Musical made popular by Scouse band in the 1960's. My own team in the bottom division of the Football League sing our own version of the Engelbert Humperdinck song "Last Waltz". Perhaps it's to symbolise some sort of romantic connection with the team that's intrinsic with the sport and perhaps not other sports.

I had the great pleasure of studying abroad in the U.S. for a year and as such experienced professional baseball and basketball, and college American Football and Basketball and I was utterly confused as to why there wasn't any singing, instead just a wall of noise or simple chants like "DEFENCE" etc. Having American soccer fans singing is as I imagine, another attempt to be similar to the European Leagues.

But hopefully you dont see it as a problem that the MLS fans tries to be similar with european leagues. When I saw the click where the Timbers Army sang Cant help falling in love, the Timbers Army got an A+ in my book as football fans.

As a european fan that always found american sport fandom boring, I was really happy to see them copying this.

^^ Pro sports in the U.S. doesn't have the organized supporters culture that soccer has in the rest of the world. MLS teams are starting to grow their own supporters groups (some of which have been around since the NASL days), but that has mostly stuck to MLS and no other leagues. Not sure how it goes with other hockey leagues or basketball leagues in the world, but I can't think of an NHL team or NBA team that has a supporters group that has a dedicated section in the stands or flags and banners. Just lots of fans joining in the fun:

Vancouver Canucks Towel Power:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp8XOv3gOtk

If you want to see organized chants and singing, you'll have to go to an NCAA game. Just about every school has a series of fight songs lead by a marching band that students will sing along with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLnRbj9SlyM&feature=related

Students also have their own cheers to go along with various songs the band plays. U of Colorado's band played a sped up version of Gary Glitter's Rock N' Roll Part 2 (otherwise known as the 'hey' song). At the end of each verse all the students are supposed to chant 'buffaloes buffaloes, go C.U.' but as you can see from the video, they've made their own lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXsvl-6circ

As long as the MLS fans don't start singing some country western song I guess the singing and chanting will be ok.

As long as the MLS fans don't start singing some country western song I guess the singing and chanting will be ok.

Couldn't resist. I just watched the movie.

cSZfUnCK5qk

I had the great pleasure of studying abroad in the U.S. for a year and as such experienced professional baseball and basketball, and college American Football and Basketball and I was utterly confused as to why there wasn't any singing, instead just a wall of noise or simple chants like "DEFENCE" etc. Having American soccer fans singing is as I imagine, another attempt to be similar to the European Leagues.

I've always found it weird that Liverpool sing a song from a 1945 Musical made popular by Scouse band in the 1960's. My own team in the bottom division of the Football League sing our own version of the Engelbert Humperdinck song "Last Waltz". Perhaps it's to symbolise some sort of romantic connection with the team that's intrinsic with the sport and perhaps not other sports.

I've come to realize that it's not the American sporting culture not to sing, it's American culture as a whole. Americans are a very independent people. We like our ability to express our opinions individually. In many countries, like in Europe, people are much more united. You see it in protest, in political parties, in their sporting culture, and at music festivals. People sing, dance and chant together. It's what they were raised to do. Americans care just the same, they just choose to do it by themselves.

I had the great pleasure of studying abroad in the U.S. for a year and as such experienced professional baseball and basketball, and college American Football and Basketball and I was utterly confused as to why there wasn't any singing, instead just a wall of noise or simple chants like "DEFENCE" etc. Having American soccer fans singing is as I imagine, another attempt to be similar to the European Leagues.


Another thing to consider is that fans of american football want to be loud as possible when their team is on defense, and quite when they are on offense. This has to do with plays calls and cadence.

Wait, MLSE runs Toronto FC? I did not know that, there goes any chance of them ever winning anything! That's too bad.

Couldn't resist. I just watched the movie. Great line. Great movie. Great timing.


:cheers:

MLSE just invested $18 million in a new training/academy facility and it wasn't even 2 years ago that they upgraded the stadium with a new stand and GRASS. I don't like them anymore than you guys, but it's not like they're not trying. In the offseason they brought in Klinsmann, totally new management, and a new team philosophy. You can say what you want, but they are trying.

As for BMO field, it is easily upgradeable, and just because we had 16,000 tickets sold for the last game doesn't really mean anything. We had a full house only a couple days before that - when the LA Galaxy were in town. I was at the game where "only" 16,000 tickets were sold - it was a pretty cold day and.. you know what? There were NHL playoff games on. It's not an indication of any sort of downwards trend at all.

As for specific upgrades to the stadium, they will likely first expand the east stand to add one more tier. After that, they need to fill in all the corners. After that, a roof. They've been spending quite a bit of money on the team - you can't expect to get everything all at once. Upgrades will come in small steps - as we've seen for the last 2 years or so.

Actually, Toronto FC are showing the classic signs of pretty much every football league/club that can be viewed as being relatively new. That being that demand tends to subside about 3 seasons in, as the novelty factor fades. That's only natural when you consider that this is a 4 year old club; its not as if its had a 100 years to entrench itself. There isn't the established base of support to fall back on. A fall in demand isn't a sign of anything horrific.

It might decrease over the next few years, but Toronto will bounce back eventually. People just shouldn't view it as a lack of interest; it was the initial novelty/bandwagon effect that made it seem like there was bigger support than their actually was. It takes a lot of time to become a part of a city's sports psyche. And that applies to soccer in general in Canada/US.

But that's where soccer has an advantage. It's too simple a sport to stay irrelevant for too long. It is the most popular sport in the world not because its the greatest (even if I think it is), but because its simple. And as long as people are playing, it has a bright future in a professional sense.

Wait, MLSE runs Toronto FC? I did not know that, there goes any chance of them ever winning anything! That's too bad.

As a Red Bulls fan I fully approve of MLSE ownership in Toronto.

I had the great pleasure of studying abroad in the U.S. for a year and as such experienced professional baseball and basketball, and college American Football and Basketball and I was utterly confused as to why there wasn't any singing, instead just a wall of noise or simple chants like "DEFENCE" etc. Having American soccer fans singing is as I imagine, another attempt to be similar to the European Leagues.

I've always found it weird that Liverpool sing a song from a 1945 Musical made popular by Scouse band in the 1960's. My own team in the bottom division of the Football League sing our own version of the Engelbert Humperdinck song "Last Waltz". Perhaps it's to symbolise some sort of romantic connection with the team that's intrinsic with the sport and perhaps not other sports.

Portland's signature song, if you want to call it that, is "You are my sunshine". http://timbers.soccercityusa.com/timberjim-hannah.html There's the story behind why the sing it, pretty touching, really.

That's really touching, it just shows to portray how much of a community feel can develop because of a common interest in a sport. We had a similar story for my team, that we had the same kit guy, his name was Malcolm, for almost 40 years. He was a regular in the stands and had earned himself a bit of a persona amongthe fans. Unfortunately he died the other year, and regularly at games you can still hear the fans sing "Malcolm, give us a song!" It really is remarkable how things like that can develop.

Actually, Toronto FC are showing the classic signs of pretty much every football league/club that can be viewed as being relatively new. That being that demand tends to subside about 3 seasons in, as the novelty factor fades. That's only natural when you consider that this is a 4 year old club; its not as if its had a 100 years to entrench itself. There isn't the established base of support to fall back on. A fall in demand isn't a sign of anything horrific.

What are these "signs", though? So far we've had one game with 16,000 tickets sold (as opposed to 21,500). As far as I know all the other games have been attended as well as they have been in the past (including the game vs Columbus I personally attended on Saturday)

Did you attend any games last year? I attended two games in August last year and both were far from sold out. In addition, you can tell that demand has dropped by looking at the amount and the price of tickets available through resellers and scalpers outside the stadium. For the first three seasons, it was impossible to get anything. These days you can find 2-4 seats quite easily.

Toronto FC is indeed falling off in attendance, and that is due to 2 reasons:

Regularly raising ticket prices

The team not making the playoffs

Toronto FC is indeed falling off in attendance, and that is due to 2 reasons:

Regularly raising ticket prices

The team not making the playoffs

I agree with both of these reasons. They have some of the highest prices in the league, for a bottom level team. I've also noticed when I've been to matches in the last two years, that even though the attendance may "officially" be 21,500, the number of butts in the seats can be much lower. Not all those season ticket holders are showing up, and it is much harder for the scalpers and re-sellers to move the tickets. I have bought tickets below face value several times when friends were in town for a visit wanted to catch a match. I think MLSE got greedy, screwed the golden goose, and is now starting to pay the piper. Lets hope the owners in Portland don't make the same mistake.

cvZtgkwEmXA

v0LFucJSsU8

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/04/More-than-33000-Tickets-Sold-for-US-MNT-Match-Against-Spain.aspx

Pretty impressive but not really a big surprise. Hopefully the full Spain squad shows us for this one.

The Division Two San Antonio Scorpions FC of the NASL finalized their stadium plans (http://www.sanantonioscorpions.com/Stadium-Plans.html). The stadium will be completed in time for the 2013 season. In 2012 they will play at Heroes Stadium (http://www.texasbob.com/stadium/simages/1276.jpg). Below are some renders...

Phase 1 = 5,000 seats

http://i.imgur.com/0MTeP.jpg

Phase 2 = 9,000 seats

http://i.imgur.com/GtuKu.jpg

Hopefully more Division Two teams can get their acts together and build soccer specific stadiums that are team controlled.

looks better than BMO field

LOL I wouldn't go as far as to say that. It certainly looks like a top notch second division facility though. Soccer will go far in this continent if even lower tier leagues are sustainable.

Looks like Charleston's stadium.

looks better than BMO field

Horse sh*t....BMO has 4 sides of seating for starters! :bash:

LOL I wouldn't go as far as to say that. It certainly looks like a top notch second division facility though. Soccer will go far in this continent if even lower tier leagues are sustainable.Agreed, this is critical. It's also the one drawback to MLS absorbing the stronger teams from the lower ranks, and makes this USL/NASL schism all the more frustrating.

After Montreal moves up the healthiest teams among the lower tiers is arguably reduced to Rochester, Richmond and Charelston within USL, and Minnesota, Atlanta and Carolina in NASL. I'm guessing Rochester is the only one of those capable of pulling 10k+ on average, and certainly the best off in terms of facilities, but can these sides stay afloat financially if their marquee programs are no longer there? Even at 9k sold out for every game, how much $$ can San Antonio make?

I suppose in an ideal world, there would be a combined second division featuring USL and NASL conferences (much like the NFL), allowing teams to develop a core fanbase and subsequently get "promoted" as it were to the MLS. In doing so, allowing space for a new team to arise from the PDL.

It's not promotion as in the European model per se, but more of a development league, a warm up league so to speak. However big business speaks louder than merit in American sports, and I wouldn't be surprised if those existing teams in the USL/NASL who arguably deserve an MLS spot get put aside for a newly formed expansion team.

Even taking the promotion/relegation angle out of it, US fans and team owners alike prefer clarity (college football aside). And as a business model I'd imagine any second division would be more attractive to fans and sponsors if it were larger and more organized. It's truly silly that Rochester and Montreal aren't in the same league right now.

Especially now that MLS is providing a model where pro soccer and SSSs are more viable than ever, it would be nice to have a true, unified second division to build off that social mindset. That way we'd get more places like San Antonio, Cary and Charleston with dedicated ownership.

One man's opine, of course.

:cheers:

It certainly looks like a top notch second division facility though.Begs the question - What (if any) features/ amenities can be put into a <10k stadium that would make it truly special or unique? Not degrading the San Antonio model, just thinking out loud here.

Even taking the promotion/relegation angle out of it, US fans and team owners alike prefer clarity (college football aside). And as a business model I'd imagine any second division would be more attractive to fans and sponsors if it were larger and more organized. It's truly silly that Rochester and Montreal aren't in the same league right now.

Especially now that MLS is providing a model where pro soccer and SSSs are more viable than ever, it would be nice to have a true, unified second division to build off that social mindset. That way we'd get more places like San Antonio, Cary and Charleston with dedicated ownership.

One man's opine, of course.

:cheers:


This season would seem to be fairly sorted out. NASL is now sanctioned as the 2nd division of US soccer and USL Pro is the third division. NASL now needs to get their act together as they only have 8 teams with one leaving next season (Montreal). Having a 2nd division of 15-16 teams and a 3rd division of 15-16 would be awesome.

It's interesting that the two teams with the best SSS stadiums outside the MLS and two of the most successful, Rochester and Charleston, aren't even in the second tier of American Soccer.

This season would seem to be fairly sorted out. NASL is now sanctioned as the 2nd division of US soccer and USL Pro is the third division. NASL now needs to get their act together as they only have 8 teams with one leaving next season (Montreal). Having a 2nd division of 15-16 teams and a 3rd division of 15-16 would be awesome.

San Antonio is taking Monreal's spot. 8 is an important number since that is the minimum amount needed for Div 2 sanctioning by the USSF.

spBDi1fB6W8

Marshall University has revealed plans to build a new 1000 - 1500 seat Soccer stadium.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x337879897/g276258000000000000df648b6fc2a4e522fa91508628e45b970c1e8804.jpg

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x362868722/g276258000000000000b661c85060cf0c683f67bb7488c9bf23d7434a77.jpg

This is part of a larger plan that also included a multi sport indoor practice facility that will be utilized by the football team, track team, soccer teams, tennis team, and baseball & softball teams.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x337879893/g2762580000000000004677e9b246f4da8aa1432667818a66fb646b772e.jpg

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x362868716/g2762580000000000000d40582c1c6d850f07b4a70e77d2eb61d1fba3a2.jpg

The total project cost is $30 million, $25 million for the IPF and $5 million for the soccer stadium. Funding will come from private donors ($19million) and bonds ($11 million).

It's interesting that the two teams with the best SSS stadiums outside the MLS and two of the most successful, Rochester and Charleston, aren't even in the second tier of American Soccer.

Charleston was the odd one out in the whole USL v NASL mess, they weren't happy with what the NASL teams wanted to do and thought it was unfeasible, but weren't exactly thrilled with the direction of the USL either. Eventually they settled on the USL because it was the best option for them geographically (specifically it gave them Charlotte and Richmond).

Really is a well run team, I think it actually turns a small profit!

Marshall University has revealed plans to build a new 1000 - 1500 seat Soccer stadium.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x337879897/g276258000000000000df648b6fc2a4e522fa91508628e45b970c1e8804.jpg

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x362868722/g276258000000000000b661c85060cf0c683f67bb7488c9bf23d7434a77.jpg

This is part of a larger plan that also included a multi sport indoor practice facility that will be utilized by the football team, track team, soccer teams, tennis team, and baseball & softball teams.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x337879893/g2762580000000000004677e9b246f4da8aa1432667818a66fb646b772e.jpg

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/archive/x362868716/g2762580000000000000d40582c1c6d850f07b4a70e77d2eb61d1fba3a2.jpg

The total project cost is $30 million, $25 million for the IPF and $5 million for the soccer stadium. Funding will come from private donors ($19million) and bonds ($11 million).

Great to see Marshall catching up and finally getting an indoor practice facility. The new soccer stadium is to replace their current facility (which is located in part where the new indoor facility is scheduled to be built) and it is a major upgrade. Go Herd.

The thing with Rochester and Charleston is that being in USL is much more cost-efficient and casual fans really don't care or know about the difference in NASL and USL Pro, a difference which really isn't too large in the first place. Right now before there is a stable D2, it's just better to be in D3. Maybe if NASL grows Charleston and Rochester will move back to D2.

Great to see Marshall catching up and finally getting an indoor practice facility. The new soccer stadium is to replace their current facility (which is located in part where the new indoor facility is scheduled to be built) and it is a major upgrade. Go Herd.

I'm just glad they're doing this project the right way, the IPF will blow almost all others out of the water, and the new soccer field is miles ahead of Sam Hood Field (the old one).

West Virginia's soccer stadium is actually really nice, so it's good to see Marshall offering something comparable in that regard.

Who has the best college soccer stadium in the country?

Basing it solely on my own experience I'm gonna have to say the Bill Armstrong stadium at Indiana University. Two sides of bleachers, with a specially designated student section named "the Cage" full of nutjobs, they even have "Ultra" style flags, flares and chants! They regularly pull pretty respectable crowds and IU are high up the NCAA rankings so going to an IU soccer game was always enjoyable.

Who has the best college soccer stadium in the country?

Probably Morrison Stadium in Omaha. Creighton University. Seats 6,000 and they regularly sellout.

http://i.imgur.com/isQMq.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/3965411475_b4ab8ece45.jpg

http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics11/400/EH/EHJNRKQYZIUYVCU.20070817212515.jpg

Texas has a huge one, but it's also surrounded by a 9-lane track, so I'm not sure I'd count it.

Holmes Stadium at Bucknell is a fantastic little place, not the best in the country, but worth a look. http://www.bucknellbison.com/facilities/buck-varsity-soccer-field.html

Who has the best college soccer stadium in the country?

It's a tie:

Morrison Stadium (cap. 6,000), Omaha, NE:
http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics11/800/EH/EHJNRKQYZIUYVCU.20070817212515.jpg

KSU Soccer Stadium (cap. 8,300), Kennesaw, GA:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5200/ksusoccerstadium03.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/ksusoccerstadium03.jpg/)

^^^
I can't speak to the venue in Omaha, but the KSU stadium was built in part to a) host the Atlanta Beat professional women's team and, more importantly for KSU, b) as an excuse to get into American football in the very near future. I fully expect to see some gridiron being played there within 5-10 years.

Who has the best college soccer stadium in the country?

Harder Stadium at University of California Santa Barbara is very nice and pretty large at 17,000 capacity. The highest attendance at any NCAA (on campus) soccer match occurred last year with 15,896 attendees.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3286/4408680.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/4408680.jpg/)

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/cupharder.html

Harder Stadium at University of California Santa Barbara is very nice and pretty large at 17,000 capacity. The highest attendance at any NCAA (on campus) soccer match occurred last year with 15,896 attendees.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3286/4408680.jpg (http://img577.imageshack.us/i/4408680.jpg/)

http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/cupharder.html

Jim Rome was just talking abou UCSB soccer.

Jim Rome was just talking abou UCSB soccer.

Was he foaming at the mouth and speaking in tongues?

Jim Rome was just talking abou UCSB soccer.

Jim Rome went to UCSB. He had one of the greatest quotes regarding UCSB in the NCAA basketball tournament this year

"But I will guarantee two things -- one, if they do win, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista. And two, if they lose, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista."

Let me tell you...There was definitely many couch fires that night..:cheers:

Here are some other great Collegiate Soccer facilities:

Klöckner Stadium, Charlottesville, Virginia
http://realcentralva.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/photos-schools-va-nonsport-facilities-klockner-stadium-400x212.jpg

Belson Soccer Stadium, Jamaica, New York
http://www.fieldturf.com/images/sized/images/installs/Webstj-420x316.jpg

Robert R. Hermann Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2193060368_2af232f245_z.jpg?zz=1

W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/wake/graphics/auto/facility-main-spry.jpg

Joseph J. Morrone Soccer Stadium, Storrs, Connecticut
http://today.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Soccer005_lg.jpg

Yurcak Field, Piscataway, New Jersey
http://www.scarletknights.com/facilities/images/yurcak.jpg

Titan Stadium, Fullerton, California
http://www.baronbanner.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/newtitanstadium-lg.jpg

More:

East Remote Soccer Field, Santa Cruz, California (the best view in college soccer)
http://www.goslugs.com/info/facilities/soccerfield.jpg

Riggs Field, Clemson, South Carolina
http://stadiums.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/542/media/images/800px-Mitchel_Athletic_Complex_8.jpg

Van Andel Soccer Stadium, Holland, Michigan
http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/img/09SoccerStadiumAerial6003.jpg
http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/img/09SoccerStadiumAerial6002.jpg
http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/img/09SoccerStadiumAerial6001.jpg

More:

NKU Soccer Stadium, Highland Heights, Kentucky
http://nkunorse.com/custompages/gallery/soc_stadium_complete/thumbs/_big_01.jpg
http://www.allstarbleachers.com/usr/Installations/kentucky-college-bleachers.jpghttp://www.allstarbleachers.com/usr/Installations/kentucky-soccer-bleachers.jpg
http://nkunorse.com/custompages/gallery/soc_stadium_complete/thumbs/_big_13.jpg

UNCG Soccer Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina
http://www.uncgspartans.com/images/miscellaneous/soccer_stadium.jpg?max_height=500&max_width=700

Aggie Soccer Stadium, College Station, Texas
http://www.zerozerofootball.com/img/estadios/720/38720_ori_aggie_soccer_stadium.jpg

Average attendance for NCAA Div 1 last season can be found here (http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_soccer_RB/2011/attend.pdf).

Top 20

5,873 - UC Santa Barbara
3,213 - Akron
3,126 - Connecticut
3,013 - Cal Poly
2,940 - Maryland
2,768 - Louisville
2,731 - New Mexico
2,277 - Creighton
2,271 - Indiana
2,094 - Wake Forest
2,069 - Virginia
2,054 - South Carolina
1,842 - Penn St
1,629 - North Carolina
1,628 - Michigan
1,539 - Portland
1,389 - Charlotte
1,311 - Ohio St
1,302 - St. John’s (NY)
1,287 - Clemson

ACC and Big East conferences tend to do very well here, as well as the California schools and select places where soccer is arguably THE sport on campus (Portland, Akron...).

^^ Looking at that list, Cal Poly SLO's soccer stadium is also really nice

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/146/dsc01143pk.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/dsc01143pk.jpg/)

http://www.mydynamo.net/profiles/blog/list?month=02&year=2009

Average attendance for NCAA Div 1 last season can be found here (http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_soccer_RB/2011/attend.pdf).

Top 20

5,873 - UC Santa Barbara
3,213 - Akron
3,126 - Connecticut
3,013 - Cal Poly
2,940 - Maryland
2,768 - Louisville
2,731 - New Mexico
2,277 - Creighton
2,271 - Indiana
2,094 - Wake Forest
2,069 - Virginia
2,054 - South Carolina
1,842 - Penn St
1,629 - North Carolina
1,628 - Michigan
1,539 - Portland
1,389 - Charlotte
1,311 - Ohio St
1,302 - St. John’s (NY)
1,287 - Clemson

ACC and Big East conferences tend to do very well here, as well as the California schools and select places where soccer is arguably THE sport on campus (Portland, Akron...).

Some great college soccer venues on here...

Since many people like to compare soccer's popularity with hockey, here are the 2010 home attendance averages for the top 20 D-1 hockey programs.

Outside of the big 3 Upper Midwest schools, the attendances aren't a whole lot greater than many of the soccer figures. Both sports are very localised in terms of support -- California and the Mid-Atlantic for soccer and the Upper Midwest and New England for hockey. Given that both sports have a tough enough time spreading their popularity at the professional level, I wonder if collegiate growth will ever really happen...or whether such growth at the collegiate level really even matters for the sustainability of either professional league (NHL and MLS).

AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE 2010
NCAA Hockey

1. Wisconsin - 15,048
2. North Dakota - 11,654
3. Minnesota - 10,108
4. Neb.-Omaha - 6,866
5. Michigan - 6,646
6. Colorado College - 6,548
7. New Hampshire - 5,760
8. St. Cloud St - 5,670
9. Denver - 5,527
10. Massachusetts - 5,313
11. Boston U - 5,167
12. Boston College - 5,012
13. Michigan St - 4,966
14. Mass.-Lowell - 4,664
15. Minn. Duluth - 4,512
16. Maine - 4,291
17. Cornell - 4,264
18. Vermont - 3,944
19. Minn. St. Mankato - 3,880
20. Alas. Anchorage - 3,310

^^ Yeah, Soccer and hockey are the niche-sport amigos of the US sporting landscape. I can't speak for the college-pro rapport for the icy half of that pair, but I know that the structure for collegiate (and high school) soccer is actually counterproductive to advancement of the professional game in the US. Put simply, the limited play and practice permitted under NCAA rules makes it tougher for US youth to match their global counterparts in development. Much like with baseball, if minor league soccer ever provided a viable career option for the best kids out of high school, more of them would go that route rather than play at, say, UVA for 20 games every fall.

We shall see.

Jim Rome went to UCSB. He had one of the greatest quotes regarding UCSB in the NCAA basketball tournament this year

"But I will guarantee two things -- one, if they do win, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista. And two, if they lose, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista."

Let me tell you...There was definitely many couch fires that night..:cheers:

:lol: Yeah, I remember that one.

The only thing soccer that Jim Rome likes is Alexi Lalas.

Jim Rome went to UCSB. He had one of the greatest quotes regarding UCSB in the NCAA basketball tournament this year

"But I will guarantee two things -- one, if they do win, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista. And two, if they lose, kegs will be tapped and couches will be burned in isla vista."

Let me tell you...There was definitely many couch fires that night..:cheers:

He was talking UCSB soccer all day when they won in 2006...

ml8fRjDn5eM

The funny thing about that vid is that the game was played in St. Louis so the students found some random soccer goal and threw it in the sea.

Top 20

3,213 - Akron



Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field, Akron, Ohio
http://image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com/pics31/0/ZR/ZRRMXPLPSDBUTHT.20101026194222.jpg

He was talking UCSB soccer all day when they won in 2006...

The funny thing about that vid is that the game was played in St. Louis so the students found some random soccer goal and threw it in the sea.

Haha...I was in that crowd. We threw it off the cliff in Isla Vista. That whole town went wild when we won that championship. :lol:

^^ And that goal wasn't random. It was a goal taken off the field from the stadium.

He was talking UCSB soccer all day when they won in 2006...

ml8fRjDn5eM

The funny thing about that vid is that the game was played in St. Louis so the students found some random soccer goal and threw it in the sea.

lmao gotta love IV

New webcam up for Houston:

http://www.houstondynamo.com/stadiumwebcam

Location: Downtown Houston, East End
Groundbreaking: February 5, 2011
Sched. Completion: mid-2012

Suites: 33 main suites located less than 10 rows from playing field
2 party suites located in southeast corner
Club Capacity: c. 1,100
Concourse Width: 30 feet (avg.)

Concession Stands: Full service stands throughout stadium
Local vendor booths in south end zone
Restrooms In excess of current building codes
Main Gates 4 main gates for fan entry/exit
ADA Accessibility Stadium will meet all ADA regulations
Main Video Board 25-ft x 40-ft LED high definition screen
Broadcast Booths 7 (3 radio, 4 TV)
Print Media Capacity 50

Playing Surface Tifway 419 Bermuda grass
c. 90,000 square feet
able to accommodate soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse

Stage c. 5,000 square feet, located in south end zone
with demountable seats and full rigging grid on canopy
Locker Rooms 1 Dynamo locker room
4 multipurpose team locker rooms

Site Size 12 acres (522,720 square feet)
Building Size 340,000 square feet
Highest Elevation 70 feet
Exterior Skin 94,000 square feet of aluminum panels
Panels 50 percent open to improve air flow
Structural Concrete 13,800 cubic yards
Structural Steel 2,200 tons
Site Concrete 3,200 cubic yards
Canopies Extending 75 feet over east and west sidelines
Stage Canopy Extending 125 feet over south end zone
Sustainability Project will seek LEED registered certification.
Majority of construction waste to be diverted from landfills
by recycling steel, glass, concrete, masonry, drywall, cardboard,
and wood

Partners Harris County
City of Houston
Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
Houston Dynamo
Project Mgr. ICON Venue Group, Greenwood Village CO
Construction Mgr. Manhattan Construction, Houston TX
Architect Populous, Kansas City MO
Landscape Architect Clark Condon, Houston TX
Structural Engineer Walter P. Moore, Houston TX
Civil Engineer WGA, Houston TX

"Soccer Stadiums of the USA"

"Soccer Stadiums of the USA"

It'll be moved in a sec....

Some pictures of this project? Sounds interesting!

Citi Field in Queens will host a soccer game this summer. Anyone have any pictures of the potential setup?

Some pictures of this project? Sounds interesting!

http://www.houstondynamo.com/sites/default/files/stadium1_630_wide.jpg

some more

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/180867_10150095885828887_9733218886_6125307_985212_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168612_10150095885878887_9733218886_6125309_6646076_n.jpg

Citi Field in Queens will host a soccer game this summer. Anyone have any pictures of the potential setup?

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2ntvd3.jpg

Why was Citi Field chosen for this game/match? Why not Red Bull Arena? I'm no expert but wouldn't a more soccer friendly stadium be better suited for this match? Just curious.

Why was Citi Field chosen for this game/match? Why not Red Bull Arena? I'm no expert but wouldn't a more soccer friendly stadium be better suited for this match? Just curious.

The entire Greek and Ecuadorian population of NYC lives along the 7 train which feeds right into Shea. Plus the Mets need $ cause their baseball club stinks and they are in debt. Also they want to see if there is a market for pro soccer in Queens for the future of MLS and Cosmos.

The entire Greek and Ecuadorian population of NYC lives along the 7 train which feeds right into Shea. Plus the Mets need $ cause their baseball club stinks and they are in debt. Also they want to see if there is a market for pro soccer in Queens for the future of MLS and Cosmos.

Also, Citi seats 41,000. Red Bull seats 25000.

New York is becoming a second home for Ecuador. This will be their third game there in a year.

Do Ecuador/Greece actually draw well in NYC?

Do Ecuador/Greece actually draw well in NYC?

Ecuador's match at Red Bull Arena against Colombia sold out last year and they played at the New Meadowlands Stadium and sold out, although that was against Mexico so it's tough to call that Ecuador's sell out.

Most any team will draw well in NYC because there are so many people from everywhere there.

The entire Greek and Ecuadorian population of NYC lives along the 7 train which feeds right into Shea. Plus the Mets need $ cause their baseball club stinks and they are in debt. Also they want to see if there is a market for pro soccer in Queens for the future of MLS and Cosmos.

Thank you.

Most any team will draw well in NYC because there are so many people from everywhere there.

You betcha! Imagine if you will that some day in the near future the EPL placed a team the Meadowlands. They would sell out every game and the ticket prices would be through the roof. Not going to happen though.

http://oi52.tinypic.com/2ntvd3.jpg

Its so strange!

Someone has pictures of this stadium with the soccer field?

Its so strange!

Someone has pictures of this stadium with the soccer field?

They haven't played a soccer match there yet. The upcoming Greece/Ecuador match will be the first one.

Its so strange!

Someone has pictures of this stadium with the soccer field?

Nope but this is Petco Park in San Diego hosting a soccer game.

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/529205/pp-overhead5.jpg


It actually makes a pretty good soccer stadium.

^^ I miss San Diego. I lived there for 26 years '77-'04..Love that city.

Who's playing at the game pictured?

Was that Chivas Vs Chivas back in September 2010??

^^ I miss San Diego. I lived there for 26 years '77-'04..Love that city.

Who's playing at the game pictured?

Was that Chivas Vs Chivas back in September 2010??

looks like the mexican national team...

Mexico v Sweden, I think.

mod please delete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a9aB8i92SQ&feature=player_embedded#at=137

2a9aB8i92SQ

fify :)

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/612384/d21u0.jpg

F****ing awsome!!!!

I'm speechless!!

I will be sitting in section 421 for the game @ Shea. Tix were $30.

I will be sitting in section 421 for the game @ Shea. Tix were $30.

Ha...

I will be sitting in section 421 for the game @ Shea. Tix were $30.

Hopefully you can get your money back!

ecmcVzEGtLU

Ha...

Hopefully you can get your money back!

I don't think he made a mistake, a lot of people call it shea because they hate naming rights.

http://www.acollective.com/tshirtblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/imcallingitshea.jpg

I don't think he made a mistake, a lot of people call it shea because they hate naming rights.

http://www.acollective.com/tshirtblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/imcallingitshea.jpg

I'm well aware of the reason he called it that.

That is silly. It is like Arsenal fans calling their new stadium Highbury instead of Emirates ... completely different facilities.

That is silly. It is like Arsenal fans calling their new stadium Highbury instead of Emirates ... completely different facilities.

I disagree. I call the new meadowlands stadium Giants Stadium - and I will never call it anything else.

That is silly. It is like Arsenal fans calling their new stadium Highbury instead of Emirates ... completely different facilities.

Lots of them call it the Grove, short for Ashburton Grove, the project's original name. Highbury is the name of the area where Arsenal Stadium was located. http://www.arsenal-world.co.uk/news/tmnw/the_e_word_283908/index.shtml

People here in Charlotte usually don't say "Time Warner Cable Arena" either, they call it "the uptown arena".

Happens a lot.

I disagree. I call the new meadowlands stadium Giants Stadium - and I will never call it anything else.
Try providing one bit of sense behind this.

That is silly. It is like Arsenal fans calling their new stadium Highbury instead of Emirates ... completely different facilities.

Emirates Stadium has the best sponsorship name in all of sports in my opinion. People say the Emirates referring to the stadium, I love it and think it sounds great.

Try providing one bit of sense behind this.

The Giants play there, meadowlands is a bulky word (forget "New Meadowlands Stadium" thats 7 freaking syllables!), and it pisses of bandwagon jet fans when I say it.

ecmcVzEGtLU
Oh man. Just build steep close to the pitch tiers and add a low roof. And make it a bowl. Thats all you need for start to create atmosphere.

Not high priced Disneyland lookalikes. :ohno:

Oh man. Just build steep close to the pitch tiers and add a low roof. And make it a bowl. Thats all you need for start to create atmosphere.

Not high priced Disneyland lookalikes. :ohno:Now see, I don't get this. Just 2 weeks ago some folks were lambasting your very ideal by saying that caused too many look alike venues in England. That the lack of anything original or artistic left the venues "soulless," to use one persons phrase.

Whether or not this design adds to the atmosphere remains to be seen, but most of that will be derived from the fans, anyway, not the architecture. It is certainly iconic in regards to US soccer venues, and that was important for the club and for MLS. Creating a visual brand that works even when matches aren't being played. Add in the very spcific directives requested by the owners and I'd say this venue achieves very high marks.

Not chiding you for your own opinion, but that's kinda funny to hear both sides of the spectrum regarding small footie stadia in such short order. But since I needed the chuckle... :cheers:

Chivas (the real ones) vs Real Madrid at Qualcomm Stadium here in SD on July 20. :)

A packed house for that game for sure!

Oh man. Just build steep close to the pitch tiers and add a low roof. And make it a bowl. Thats all you need for start to create atmosphere.

Not high priced Disneyland lookalikes. :ohno:

The only sporting venues in the U.S. where you will see stands right up next to the playing surface is college basketball arenas.

The only sporting venues in the U.S. where you will see stands right up next to the playing surface is college basketball arenas.

There's also that insanely tight stadium in Stillwater.

UcwbSZpo6U

^^ Ah, yes I remember that game. Leeds vs LA Galaxy. Driving snowstorm and neither had their away kit. Donavon was offsides for the winner. By a mile.



;)

^^ Ah, yes I remember that game. Leeds vs LA Galaxy. Driving snowstorm and neither had their away kit. Donavon was offsides for the winner. By a mile.



;)

:lol:

Oh man. Just build steep close to the pitch tiers and add a low roof. And make it a bowl. Thats all you need for start to create atmosphere.

Not high priced Disneyland lookalikes. :ohno:

:nuts::nuts::nuts:

Kansas City has surpassed 10,500 season tickets. An astonishing number considering where this club's been in recent history.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/04/2850641/despite-slow-start-sporting-believes.html

Kansas City has surpassed 10,500 season tickets. An astonishing number considering where this club's been in recent history.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/04/2850641/despite-slow-start-sporting-believes.html

very good news.

Originally Posted by Werkself

Now see, I don't get this. Just 2 weeks ago some folks were lambasting your very ideal by saying that caused too many look alike venues in England. That the lack of anything original or artistic left the venues "soulless," to use one persons phrase.

Whether or not this design adds to the atmosphere remains to be seen, but most of that will be derived from the fans, anyway, not the architecture. It is certainly iconic in regards to US soccer venues, and that was important for the club and for MLS. Creating a visual brand that works even when matches aren't being played. Add in the very spcific directives requested by the owners and I'd say this venue achieves very high marks.

Not chiding you for your own opinion, but that's kinda funny to hear both sides of the spectrum regarding small footie stadia in such short order. But since I needed the chuckle... :cheers:



did it occur to you that they may be different people, and shockingly... have different opinions.

just one mans opine :cheers:

Interesting stadium. I quite like it, but I don't think the concept the architect was going for has been successful at all, too many materials without much sense of coherence. also [and i think this is a small-stadium 'problem'*] they way the corporate-boxy-type section on one end links with the roof... just seems a bit bodged, not sure what the American term is but I'll take a gander at monkeyed. i know its not, it just has that look.

that other corporate-boxy-type-annexe-thing that's connected to it, much more successful :) the cladding on it, bit vague, generic shopping mall-ish but i quite like it. don't know how that fits into the concept like the rest of the stadium to be honest, but overall nice little stadium. credit to the guy who designed it.

just keep that chad 85 guy out of it.

slightly off topic, but i just caught the gist of a story on the radio today, some us law firm is building a case against jack Warner. is there a skybar thread on all the fifa fallout from qatar2022. maybe we should start one?

*given budgets and other such constraints, is it really fair to call it a problem?

Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver CO

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5630244282_915fb494c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/)
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/) by SkylineScenes (http://www.flickr.com/people/49394874@N08/), on Flickr

Dick's Sporting Goods Park is a soccer-specific stadium located in Commerce City, Colorado, home to the Colorado Rapids professional soccer team. The stadium can seat up to 18,086 people, but may accommodate up to 26,000 for certain events and is built on over 360 acres (1.5 km²) of land.

http://images.wikia.com/soccer/images/9/9f/NewRapids.png http://www.denver.org/images/memberimages/Cropped_553x300/20391_20081215_20391_DicksSportingGoodPark.jpg

An article posted on the Washington Post's Website today about possibly locating a new DC United stadium at Buzzard's Point in Southeast. This may not be a new idea, but it's the first I've heard of it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/post/exploring-washingtons-buzzard-point-a-potential-stadium-site-for-dc-united/2011/05/25/AGCQxhBH_blog.html

One of the negatives he mentions is the distance to the nearest metro stations. 3/4 mile is not that bad. The closest metro station to FedEx Field is at least a mile away and that's not too taxing a walk. Besides, all the bars in the areas will probably run free shuttles like they do for Nats games and there are dozens of rickshaws to transport those who don't feel like taking a 15 minute stroll.

Live Strong Sporting Park how of Sporting Kansas City.
(Now Complete awaiting the first game on June 9)

http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park05.jpg
http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park04.jpg
http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park06.jpg
http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park13.jpg
http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park11.jpg
http://stadiumdb.com/pictures/stadiums/usa/sporting_park/sporting_park14.jpg

http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/sporting_park

Live Strong Sporting Park how of Sporting Kansas City.
(Now Complete awaiting the first game on June 9)

http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/sporting_park

For some reason the pics are failing. I've uploaded a few to Imgur (http://imgur.com/) (by far the best image hosting service).

http://i.imgur.com/VVtH1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GZBiJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6pG0c.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yvfbA.jpg

That is one sweet looking SSS, gonna be a bitch if they decide to re-brand one day as the Kansas City"somethings" as per other American sports, what with Sporting written on the seats:):lol:

did it occur to you that they may be different people, and shockingly... have different opinions.Methinks you'll find the answer in the last part of my comment you quoted. :cheers:

Holy crap. KC looked good through impression pics, but that is incredible. The exterior in particular is something I'm very fond of. Very ManUtd-esque with the glass panels. Its very heartening to see the continued progress of the MLS.

Methinks you'll find the answer in the last part of my comment you quoted. :cheers:

No shit sherlock. The overwhelmingly glib need to chuckle is what i was getting at, since you're chuckling at some perceived consensus, without which, the whole point of your post is rather redundant.

[QUOTE=desertpunk;78464798]Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver CO

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5630244282_915fb494c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/)
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/) by SkylineScenes (http://www.flickr.com/people/49394874@N08/), on Flickr

much better:)

Is there an example where the roof has more utility, rather than what i assume is part and parcel of the franchises branding?

oh and gunnerjacket i forgot to add :cheers: after all, no sane person signs up to this place to argue with strangers across the planet.

one mans opine anyhow:cheers:

That is one sweet looking SSS, gonna be a bitch if they decide to re-brand one day as the Kansas City"somethings" as per other American sports, what with Sporting written on the seats:):lol:

They would have been better off writing Kansas City in the seats,.... but oh man what an exterior !!

Holy crap. KC looked good through impression pics, but that is incredible. The exterior in particular is something I'm very fond of. Very ManUtd-esque with the glass panels. Its very heartening to see the continued progress of the MLS.
With each stadium, the permanency of MLS becomes more and more cemented. We won't see professional soccer disappear like the NASL did, even if somehow MLS failed (which is more and more unlikely everyday), a new league would be reborn in it's place, to fill up the commitment for these stadiums.
I'm glad that this place will be mostly sold-out, great to see soccer take root in the heartland to prove it's just a west coast-east coast sport.

With each stadium, the permanency of MLS becomes more and more cemented. We won't see professional soccer disappear like the NASL did, even if somehow MLS failed (which is more and more unlikely everyday), a new league would be reborn in it's place, to fill up the commitment for these stadiums.
I'm glad that this place will be mostly sold-out, great to see soccer take root in the heartland to prove it's just a west coast-east coast sport.

Agreed. Even though its still just below, any league averaging 20,000 is a resounding success. And I don't buy the argument that Americans won't go to watch a league that is perceived not to be the best - they already do in great numbers. More Germans go to watch football on average than in Spain and England, even if La Liga and EPL are perceived as being higher quality. I don't even feel it needs to be one of the top 4 sports (even though its almost inevitable that it will, its almost too accessible for it not to), it just needs to provide a platform for Americans to watch live football, and for the national team to stay competitive.

It will keep growing, but its already at a place where you can say its not going anywhere as you suggest. Sure, some teams might relocate in the future, but that's more a byproduct of closed leagues than anything else.

- Deleted by user -

del

They would have been better off writing Kansas City in the seats,.... but oh man what an exterior !!

As a KC resident (not a soccer fan), I'm starting to get used to hearing the new name and I actually like it better than the old name now,KC used to be home of the Athletics(MLB) which is a similar name. Its a better name than our arena football team, the "command", now thats a gay name.

As a KC resident (not a soccer fan), I'm starting to get used to hearing the new name and I actually like it better than the old name now,KC used to be home of the Athletics(MLB) which is a similar name. Its a better name than our arena football team, the "command", now thats a gay name.

Thank you. :applause:

I've gotten tired of hearing of supposed KC "fans" who wouldn't even say the new name out loud as if "Wizards" was somehow untouchable. Ridiculous. Sporting KC is actually a pretty nice name.

Not sure why I haven't mentioned it but...

Tijuana now has a first division soccer team since the Xolos have earned the sole promotion place. :)

I'm sure thousands of people in the SD/LA area will want to see their teams beat up on the Xolos lol.

I think the fans of the more popular teams (Chivas, America, etc) should outnumber the Xolos fans since for many it'll be the only chance to see their team in the region all year.

I'm already determined to go to the eventual Chivas-Xolos game in Tijuana. :)

[QUOTE=desertpunk;78464798]Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver CO

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5630244282_915fb494c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/)
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Denver (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49394874@N08/5630244282/) by SkylineScenes (http://www.flickr.com/people/49394874@N08/), on Flickr



How far is the stadium from downtown Denver? This as far as Frisco to downtown Dallas? THX

Any idea how the new whitecaps stadium in Vancouver is progressing?Is there a time frame to moving in?

That one is not up to date I believe. The current ones have been posted a few pages back. When I was in Houston for a Final Four, I was really impressed by how close the stadium is to downtown. It's a few blocks away from the convention center and is basically right downtown. Attendance should be very, very good when the stadium opens. Houston has always had a pretty good fanbase that doesn't get the praise it deserves.

[QUOTE=PrevaricationComplex;78545456]

How far is the stadium from downtown Denver? This as far as Frisco to downtown Dallas? THX

9.9 miles from DT Denver.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Denver+colorado&daddr=6000+Victory+Way,+Commerce+City,+Colorado+80022+(Dick's+Sporting+Goods+Park)&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFTxmXwIdWXu_-SGdKx4dMmetsw&mra=pd&sll=39.740986,-104.985352&sspn=0.685326,1.674042&ie=UTF8&ll=39.775957,-104.938145&spn=0.085623,0.209255&t=h&z=13

Pizza Hut park is almost 30 miles from DT Dallas

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Dallas,+TX&daddr=pizza+hut+park&hl=en&geocode=FYuI9AEdfWg7-ilLl0V79xlMhjGPZ0f2pJvsuQ%3BFdrv-QEdoVw6-iGB3GDOQX2Byg&mra=ls&sll=32.805745,-96.770325&sspn=0.749112,1.674042&ie=UTF8&ll=32.956825,-96.782684&spn=0.37392,0.837021&t=h&z=11

Any idea how the new whitecaps stadium in Vancouver is progressing?Is there a time frame to moving in?

Wecbam on BC place website. Cable structure complete, just starting to install the fabric roof.
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/construction.html

First game is October 2nd:
http://whitecapsfc.com/2011-schedule

Maybe he meant the actual Whitecaps stadium on the waterfront?

LRMqgDjWCGA

http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan4.jpg
http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan1.jpg
http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan2.jpg


http://sportingtimes.net/articles/livestrong-sporting-park-home-of-sporting-kansas-city/

In my opinion, Kansas City has the best stadium in the MLS, hands down. Congrats guys, you guys are extremely lucky. I can only hope San Jose's will be 1/2 as nice as Livestrong Park. But our owner is cheap and has no vision, so it's going to be horrid.

In my opinion, Kansas City has the best stadium in the MLS, hands down. Congrats guys, you guys are extremely lucky. I can only hope San Jose's will be 1/2 as nice as Livestrong Park. But our owner is cheap and has no vision, so it's going to be horrid.
I disagree. If he had no vision, we would still be playing at Spartan Stadium.

I disagree. If he had no vision, we would still be playing at Spartan Stadium.

If he hadn't drug his feet we'd still be playing at Spartan and would have never had those two years off. I would gladly take Spartan over Buck Shaw. A renovated college baseball stadium just isn't an ideal venue to watch a game. Its embarrassing really. Still, at least have the Quakes playing in San Jose again (well, a few blocks away)

If he hadn't drug his feet we'd still be playing at Spartan and would have never had those two years off. I would gladly take Spartan over Buck Shaw. A renovated college baseball stadium just isn't an ideal venue to watch a game. Its embarrassing really. Still, at least have the Quakes playing in San Jose again (well, a few blocks away)

One of the big reasons they had to leave Spartan Stadium is that the field dimensions were not wide enough to meet MLS standards. Buck Shaw has a much larger field area.

http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan4.jpg
http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan1.jpg
http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan2.jpg


http://sportingtimes.net/articles/livestrong-sporting-park-home-of-sporting-kansas-city/

incredible

Philadelphia's PPL Park has a kick-ass view of the delaware river. As far as location goes, it's gotta be one of the best.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/PPL_Park.jpg
photo from wikipedia, username kooma

One of the big reasons they had to leave Spartan Stadium is that the field dimensions were not wide enough to meet MLS standards. Buck Shaw has a much larger field area.
But this is a business. It seems foolish to leave 31,000 seats for 9,500. And the field dimensions are not hard and fast rules.

If he hadn't drug his feet we'd still be playing at Spartan and would have never had those two years off. I would gladly take Spartan over Buck Shaw. A renovated college baseball stadium just isn't an ideal venue to watch a game. Its embarrassing really. Still, at least have the Quakes playing in San Jose again (well, a few blocks away)
You can't blame Wolfe for that. AEG moved the 'second' Quakes team to Houston in December of 2005, and Wolfe was not even granted the ownership option of the 'third' Quakes until the following May.

Philadelphia's PPL Park has a kick-ass view of the delaware river. As far as location goes, it's gotta be one of the best.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/PPL_Park.jpg
photo from wikipedia, username kooma

I think even Philly fans would agree that the view is 'kick-ass', however the actual location is probably the opposite of 'the best'.

You can't blame Wolfe for that. AEG moved the 'second' Quakes team to Houston in December of 2005, and Wolfe was not even granted the ownership option of the 'third' Quakes until the following May.
Are you counting the original NASL version as the 'first'?

http://sportingtimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pan1.jpg

http://sportingtimes.net/articles/livestrong-sporting-park-home-of-sporting-kansas-city/

No cup holders? Seems like a mistake :cheers:

Are you counting the original NASL version as the 'first'?
Yeah, I still have a soft spot for the first major league team that I did not have to drive an hour to see.

No cup holders? Seems like a mistake :cheers:

http://www.ultimatesportsboards.org/forums/img/smilies/pint.gif

I think even Philly fans would agree that the view is 'kick-ass', however the actual location is probably the opposite of 'the best'.


100% Agree.

Why did they choose Chester instead of use the South Philadelphia Sports Complex? there is a lot of space there.

They even demolish the spectrum recently.

100% Agree.

Why did they choose Chester instead of use the South Philadelphia Sports Complex? there is a lot of space there.

They even demolish the spectrum recently.

I'm guessing the land was quite a bit cheaper. Plus the way owners are able to make their investment back is there's also lots more opportunity for development adjacent to the stadium (kindof like the area surrounding Barclays center in NY). There were plans for a large development next to the stadium, but they are on hold until the economy recovers.

^^ To bring it back on topic, the original site for the stadium in KC was to be a similar deal. The center piece of a large redevelopment of a former mall.

Houston - Dynamo Stadium (22,000)


http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dynamo-stadium-0509.jpg


From the Houston Dynamo website:

"The new Dynamo stadium will be a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Dynamo matches as well as additional sporting and concert events. When it opens in 2012, the 22,000-seat stadium will be the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city's downtown district.

Spectators will be able to experience unobstructed views from both the lower and upper seating bowls, which are supported by a single concourse. The concourse provides full access around the stadium with easy access to concession and toilet facilities. The fan experience will be enhanced by modern sound and video elements throughout the stadium. Fully integrated broadcast facilities will allow viewers and listeners to feel part of the atmosphere.

Aside from Major League Soccer and international soccer matches, the new Dynamo stadium will also host Texas Southern University football, concerts, boxing matches, and much more. With its downtown location, the new stadium will be a part of a true Stadium District, which already features Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, as well as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, and The House of Blues."


http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/02/Dynamo-Stadium-image.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7iOz_rLqouM/TUs4wtxqhrI/AAAAAAAAAXo/5Zn3n1T0rIk/s1600/dstinside.jpg


The Original Winger (http://theoriginalwinger.com/2010-04-07-new-houston-dynamo-stadium-officially-approved)


New Houston Dynamo Stadium Officially Approved

The Houston City Council unanimously approved an agreement this morning that is expected to pave the way for a new professional sports stadium for the Houston Dynamo and the Texas Southern University football team.

“Although some council members voiced concerns about the finances of the $95 million public/private project, many came to view the deal to be in the city’s best interest.

“This is a great day for the city of Houston and a great day for Harris County,” said Councilman James Rodriguez, in whose district on the east side of downtown the stadium will be built.

The next step in the process will be Tuesday at Harris County Commissioners Court when the deal has to be approved by the county.

An agreement between the city and the county would allow each governmental body to use $10 million in property tax money for infrastructure improvements around the stadium.

The city already has paid $15 million for the land just east of U.S. 59 downtown on a tract bordered by Texas, Walker, Dowling and Hutchins, and the county has agreed to reimburse half that amount.”



HoustonDynamos.com (http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/03/construction-begins-h-town)


Construction begins in H-Town
Dynamo's new stadium on track for April 2012 opening

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCrnQh_s2a4/TegR9-bSeoI/AAAAAAAASow/39JGZqQfLJc/s1600/houston+Dynamo+Stadium+construction1.jpg
Finally, the Houston Dynamo can start seeing the fruits of their labor. Wednesday marked the beginning of construction on the club’s downtown soccer-specific stadium. It started a process the club has been waiting more than five years to kick off.

Drive by the stadium site today, and it may not look like much is happening, but construction companies are starting the process. Streets are being closed off, material is scheduled to be delivered, and a perimeter is starting to be established. While it may not be exciting, it is the necessary first step in a long process.

“Next week you’ll see dozers out there clearing the land, picking up debris, and getting ready to excavate,” said Dynamo President of Business Operations Chris Canetti.

While fans and observers are eager to see progress, Canetti assures that the early stages are something to get excited about. Like neighboring Minute Maid Park, the Dynamo playing field will sit below ground level. Therefore, before things can go up, construction crews will have to dig out the land for the field.

“It’s going to be a lot of below-ground work at first, laying pipes and getting the land ready,” said Canetti. “It’s likely going to be months, probably the summer, before you start seeing steel coming out of the ground.”

More: Dynamo Stadium information

Canetti and the Dynamo will work with ICON Venue Management Group to oversee the construction project. ICON will work directly with the contractors, architects, and the City of Houston to execute construction plans.

“I’m not an expert in the construction business, but we are participants, with ICON, in the project,” said Canetti. “ICON will oversee the project for us, and they’ll deal with [architectural firm] Populous and the contractors and work on day-to-day operations.”

In addition to the start of construction on the downtown stadium, construction on the club’s new practice facility is well underway. Two of the seven fields are ready for use, including the field that will house the Dynamo. Canetti said the Dynamo will be ready to move to the new facility when the club receives city permits in April.

“It’s [head coach Dominic Kinnear’s] decision on whether we move out there, and we’ve had a number of conversations about moving,” said Canetti. “The unfortunate thing is the locker rooms won’t be completed until after the season. But if the field is in the kind of condition we expect, he and the team could elect to move out there.”

While the club could move to its new practice facility this April, Canetti remains confident the stadium will be ready to host the Dynamo's first MLS home game in April 2012.



http://edge.virbcdn.com/_f/cdn_images/resize_640x640/d5/PageImage-491405-2103523-110420_GHIXSON_0033c.JPG

...

It looks very European, not a usual gym-looking American stadium. I like it :)

It looks very European, not a usual gym-looking American stadium. I like it :)

....what's "gym-looking"?

I think it's a pretty good and different design (as far as soccer stadiums in this country goes) but I'd wish they would have gone with the architecture of their surroundings.

I meant the kind of arenas that look like giant gyms where you can't feel the atmosphere because of conglomeration of metal structures, big heavy roofs, etc.

On the other hand, it's good to have such multi-use arenas that can bring money all the year round but football is the game where atmosphere is the most important thing by far

It's good that AEG finally got enough tax money to build this, but as evidenced by the "WALD" photo, calling this downtown is a stretch. And I'm not quite sure why, but this looks really ugly to me.

It's good that AEG finally got enough tax money to build this, but as evidenced by the "WALD" photo, calling this downtown is a stretch. And I'm not quite sure why, but this looks really ugly to me.

That shot was facing away from the CBD.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w199/andrewjackson1961/IMG_1659.jpg

I meant the kind of arenas that look like giant gyms where you can't feel the atmosphere because of conglomeration of metal structures, big heavy roofs, etc.

On the other hand, it's good to have such multi-use arenas that can bring money all the year round but football is the game where atmosphere is the most important thing by far

Still not making sense to us dude, sorry.

....what's "gym-looking"?

I think it's a pretty good and different design (as far as soccer stadiums in this country goes) but I'd wish they would have gone with the architecture of their surroundings.

Is the vernacular here much to sing home about though? Not having a go, just that sometimes a clean break can lift the surrounds. BTW I'm only going off the photos so could be completely wrong...

The designs for SSS in MLS are getting better and better with every new stadium.

That shot was facing away from the CBD.
I know; I checked it out on google earth before posting. I wouldn't have had any trouble with a description of this being in the proximity of, or adjacent to, downtown. But the fact is that in all four directions from the site you can see vacant lots and single-story buildings. This may be a semantic point, but to me this is outside of downtown.

^That shot to me looks like the city-centre is only a few kilometres away. A majority of European football stadiums are located with 2-10kms of the city centre. Seems perfect to me.

only 30,000 stadiums got their own thread...

^That shot to me looks like the city-centre is only a few kilometres away. A majority of European football stadiums are located with 2-10kms of the city centre. Seems perfect to me.

Not even a few. The downtown core is a couple blocks across the freeway. Maybe only 1/2 mile.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/02/Dynamo-Stadium-image.jpg Random reactions:
- I'm not thrilled with the end-line roof covering only the goal box (ie: the stage). It'd be nice if they at least completed the whole end.

- Is the exterior basically a metal screen of sorts? My fear is that the pictures make it appear a cheap means of masking the interior structural work, and that perhaps there's less character to be had "behind the curtain." Hopefully I'm wrong with this guess.

- Given the amorphic shape to the exterior shell I wonder if the roof should have been given an equally dynamic form? Makes me think they should switch roofs with Colorado or something.


Overall, though, I'm pleased for Houston and MLS. The more teams have their own first-rate grounds the better. Congrats, Dynamo fans!

^That shot to me looks like the city-centre is only a few kilometres away. A majority of European football stadiums are located with 2-10kms of the city centre. Seems perfect to me.This would be more effective in the US if more people lived in/near the city centers. In many cities downtown is more a business district with a limited residential base. We're making progress on this front but much work remains to craft more 24/7 cultural destinations.

Still not making sense to us dude, sorry.



Is the vernacular here much to sing home about though? Not having a go, just that sometimes a clean break can lift the surrounds. BTW I'm only going off the photos so could be completely wrong...

Well, I've actually been to that part of downtown, and in this case, I guess it's best for this to be different. I'm just used to seeing downtown arenas or stadiums fitting in with the rest of the neighborhood, ya know? But I know the development will come, so there's no need to worry about that.

As for the roof, I say that it either has to be a full/retractable roof or no roof at all. For those of you who have been to Houston in the summer, you know why.

This is GREAT for the Dynamo and a major step up for Texas Southern Univ (who doesn't even have a REAL stadium, right?)

I already posted this in the Houston Development forum but here is the latest update on the new Houston Dynamo stadium now under construction.

http://www.houstondynamo.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/photos_gallery_view/image_nodes/2011/06/online_20110528.jpg

You can actually see some of the new construction updates on the stadium here.

http://www.houstondynamo.com/stadium-construction-photos

Philadelphia Union have 3 phase plan to expand PPL Park to 30K capacity. (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/123303978.html)

No cup holders? Seems like a mistake :cheers:

FWIW I was in the park yesterday and they have attached cup holders to every seat.

Philadelphia Union have 3 phase plan to expand PPL Park to 30K capacity. (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/123303978.html)Intriguing. I hope they don't jump too soon and begin to impact the atmosphere. The idea of a smaller first expansion from 18.5 to 20 is pretty good, though I understand everyone's concerns about that action closing off the views to the river: Raising the open end to the same height as the side tiers would leave the bridge visible but not necessarily the river and any passing boats. Tough call, here.

I also agree with one poster's reaction to the article in that it sounds like a ploy to appease Villanova's lingering interest in playing US football at PPL Park, which I hope doesn't come to pass. The club appears to be a model club for MLS thus far so I pray they retain their direction and not get distracted with outside influences.

All that being said, it would be great to see some 27k fans regularly filling in a PPL horseshoe! Great potential here with these fans and that venue.

You know football is going places as long as you see the obligatory "Soccer sucks" comment in pieces like that; they don't even feel the need to qualify why it sucks anymore, it just does!

Good read btw.

^That shot to me looks like the city-centre is only a few kilometres away. A majority of European football stadiums are located with 2-10kms of the city centre. Seems perfect to me.

It's really close. The building with the red pipe-things on top of it is the Convention Center which is right between the Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park. It's a great location. I was in Houston for the Final Four and it was closer than I thought it was. It's an excellent location.

The owners of the Silverdome (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1187863) have officially (http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2011/06/with_eyes_on_detroit_silverdome_owners_submit_mls_expansion_bid.html) submitted a bid for a MLS expansion team.

From the article...

Quote:
To achieve a reasonable stadium size, the Apostolopoulos family plans to remove the dome and divide the stadium into three sections. At the stadium's ground level, will be a concert hall and a multi-purpose arena, capable of hosting hockey, basketball, and other indoor sports.
Resting on top of those two indoor facilities, will be a roughly 30,000-seat soccer stadium with natural grass. The current upper deck will essentially act as a lower bowl for the outdoor stadium.

The renovation, which is the brain child of Steve's father Andreas, who owns Triple Properties, the parent company, is unlike anything in the history of sports and they are anxious to show it off.
"We have the renderings nearly complete and I can't wait for fans to see what this stadium will look like," said Apostolopoulos. "MLS has been amazed with the plans we've shown them."

Er...good luck with that.

That sounds pretty interesting (dividing the Silverdome like that) but still ...Detroit..?

That sounds pretty interesting (dividing the Silverdome like that) but still ...Detroit..?
The city's population may have collapsed, but the metro area still has 5.4 million people. And this stadium is well outside of the city limits.

The city's population may have collapsed, but the metro area still has 5.4 million people. And this stadium is well outside of the city limits.

The Detroit metro area does not have over 5 million. I think it's closer to 4.5-4.6 million.

I hope Villanova doesn't move to PPL Park, look at the Linc, the field is awful in October with two teams on it (Eagles and Temple in that case).

The owners of the Silverdome (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1187863) have officially (http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2011/06/with_eyes_on_detroit_silverdome_owners_submit_mls_expansion_bid.html) submitted a bid for a MLS expansion team.

From the article...

Quote:
To achieve a reasonable stadium size, the Apostolopoulos family plans to remove the dome and divide the stadium into three sections. At the stadium's ground level, will be a concert hall and a multi-purpose arena, capable of hosting hockey, basketball, and other indoor sports.
Resting on top of those two indoor facilities, will be a roughly 30,000-seat soccer stadium with natural grass. The current upper deck will essentially act as a lower bowl for the outdoor stadium.

The renovation, which is the brain child of Steve's father Andreas, who owns Triple Properties, the parent company, is unlike anything in the history of sports and they are anxious to show it off.
"We have the renderings nearly complete and I can't wait for fans to see what this stadium will look like," said Apostolopoulos. "MLS has been amazed with the plans we've shown them."

This city cries for an MLS team.......THEN........the United States National team.. (Full Squad) comes to your city and you guys send out a pathetic attendance like that. MLS will never put a team in Detroit. And I love Detroit, I know you guys are going thru difficult economic times. It's a great city for this country, but right now I seriously doubt the MLS will approve such expansion to that area.

This city cries for an MLS team.......THEN........the United States National team.. (Full Squad) comes to your city and you guys send out a pathetic attendance like that. MLS will never put a team in Detroit. And I love Detroit, I know you guys are going thru difficult economic times. It's a great city for this country, but right now I seriously doubt the MLS will approve such expansion to that area.
28k is actually pretty good for an opening match for the gold cup.

This city cries for an MLS team.......THEN........the United States National team.. (Full Squad) comes to your city and you guys send out a pathetic attendance like that. MLS will never put a team in Detroit. And I love Detroit, I know you guys are going thru difficult economic times. It's a great city for this country, but right now I seriously doubt the MLS will approve such expansion to that area.

Is 28,000 bad in the greater context? 28,000 is pretty good for a gold cup group game without a big ethnic/bandwagon draw.

That was essentially not my point. My point was.. if the people of Detroit want an MLS team so badly, they would of knocked out atleast 40 to 45 the other night. 40 at the minimum. I just do not see the viability of a team in that city at the current economic state that area and this country are in.

It was a weeknight. There was never the chance for 40K at that game.

The Detroit metro area does not have over 5 million. I think it's closer to 4.5-4.6 million.
I was definitely wrong here. When you include the Windsor area, the total goes up to 5.7 million. Here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit-Warren-Flint,_MI_CSA

It was a weeknight. There was never the chance for 40K at that game.

Oh.. god forbid. People go outside on a week night.

The owners of the Silverdome (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1187863) have officially (http://www.mlive.com/soccer/index.ssf/2011/06/with_eyes_on_detroit_silverdome_owners_submit_mls_expansion_bid.html) submitted a bid for a MLS expansion team.

From the article...

Quote:
To achieve a reasonable stadium size, the Apostolopoulos family plans to remove the dome and divide the stadium into three sections. At the stadium's ground level, will be a concert hall and a multi-purpose arena, capable of hosting hockey, basketball, and other indoor sports.
Resting on top of those two indoor facilities, will be a roughly 30,000-seat soccer stadium with natural grass. The current upper deck will essentially act as a lower bowl for the outdoor stadium.

The renovation, which is the brain child of Steve's father Andreas, who owns Triple Properties, the parent company, is unlike anything in the history of sports and they are anxious to show it off.
"We have the renderings nearly complete and I can't wait for fans to see what this stadium will look like," said Apostolopoulos. "MLS has been amazed with the plans we've shown them."

I like the Idea

Oh.. god forbid. People go outside on a week night.

Hope you aware that the Gold Cup is not considered a big tournament or widely publicized at all in America. I haven't watched much ESPN lately, but I bet you'd be lucky to get a 10-second clip of a game on Sportscenter. The USA game was the second-to-last headline on ESPN.com that night and was only available in English on premium television. 28K in a non-MLS town on a Tuesday night with the NBA Finals on simultaneously is pretty damn good IMO. Whether that city or venue was the best choice (from an atmosphere or field-condition standpoint) is certainly up for debate.

Yes you are right. ESPN .. the almighty god of sport in the USA determine what is news worthy and what isn't. US Soccer will not be coming back to Detroit to play in a dome after that showing.

Canada v USA in Seattle in the 2005 gold cup drew a paltry 15,000. I guess they should never go back there either.

That was essentially not my point. My point was.. if the people of Detroit want an MLS team so badly, they would of knocked out atleast 40 to 45 the other night. 40 at the minimum. I just do not see the viability of a team in that city at the current economic state that area and this country are in.
Using this logic then why put another team in NYC, if they don't bother showing up for the team they have?

Canada v USA in Seattle in the 2005 gold cup drew a paltry 15,000. I guess they should never go back there either.

The Gold Cup really isn't taken seriously. USA play against countries that are not worth watching. The only big match is USA vs MEXICO which at this period, it is getting boring. I saw USA vs ARGENTINA in an almost sold out crowd at the New Meadowland Lands in New Jersey. It is certainly not about the city but who they play against.

The Gold Cup really isn't taken seriously. USA play against countries that are not worth watching. The only big match is USA vs MEXICO which at this period, it is getting boring. I saw USA vs ARGENTINA in an almost sold out crowd at the New Meadowland Lands in New Jersey. It is certainly not about the city but who they play against.

My post was sarcasm directed at the post directly above mine.

Using this logic then why put another team in NYC, if they don't bother showing up for the team they have?

NYC don't have an MLS team. The Red Bulls are in Harrison NJ not within the 5 Boroughs of NYC. I am definitely not driving 30-45 mins and paying tolls to see a 90 min match. In that case the town locals or people from New Jersey are not showing up. Big mistake moving the so called "New York" Red Bulls to nowhere Harrison.

Yeah but does it have a good soccer fanbase?

I'd rather give a team to Rochester!

My post was sarcasm directed at the post directly above mine.

HAHA yeah I know I was agreeing with you.

Yes you are right. ESPN .. the almighty god of sport in the USA determine what is news worthy and what isn't.

Actually, ESPN is owned by a private for-profit corporation, which covers sports based on interest and viewership. So, YOU are the one who determines what is newsworthy. They simply show you what you want to see. You have to be living in a box to think that the Gold Cup is seen as a major event in the USA. The attendance in Detroit on Tuesday (which was pretty good) will have zero effect on whether or not they are given an MLS team.

NYC don't have an MLS team. The Red Bulls are in Harrison NJ not within the 5 Boroughs of NYC. I am definitely not driving 30-45 mins and paying tolls to see a 90 min match. In that case the town locals or people from New Jersey are not showing up. Big mistake moving the so called "New York" Red Bulls to nowhere Harrison.


Speaking of which, I came across this yesterday.




Red Bulls’ Stadium Bonds Sap New Jersey Town as Condominium Visions VanishBy Romy Varghese - Jun 9, 2011 12:01 AM ET .

On a May evening, soccer fans streamed down a Harrison, New Jersey, sidewalk lined with posters depicting cafes and parks that don’t exist. They were headed to the $200 million Red Bull Arena, which rises above warehouses and industrial wreckage that were to become condos for New York City commuters and transform the town.

Harrison predicted that redevelopment revenue would cover its $39 million debt to buy and clean up land under the stadium for the Major League Soccer team owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, billionaire founder of the namesake energy-drink company. Instead, most construction projects haven’t begun. The community, across the Passaic River from Newark with a per- capita income 69 percent of the state average, had its credit rating slashed and is firing police and firefighters.

“The numbers didn’t make any sense; the economics didn’t make any sense,” said George Zoffinger, who criticized the deal in 2006 as president of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, a state agency that runs sporting and entertainment complexes. “Now the taxpayers are going to pay.”

Larger communities have been stung, too: The recession undermined the finances of stadium deals in Houston and Cincinnati. Harrison, a town of 14,000, spent years wooing a soccer team, only to see its prize become a burden.

No Way Forward
The town has no “long-term solution” for its debt load, Moody’s Investors Service said in a May 20 ratings report. The company downgraded Harrison five levels to Ba3, a junk-bond rating, from Baa1, the eighth-highest investment grade.

Town officials in December had to borrow $3.1 million -- 21 percent of its municipal tax collections -- to make the debt payment on the 2006 issue, and they anticipate doing so again this December, Moody’s said.

Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls, whose owner is No. 208 on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s billionaires, are challenging their taxable status. The team refuses to pay a $1.4 million property levy, according to Moody’s.

To close its $6 million budget gap, Harrison plans to dismiss 17 percent of its police and 29 percent of its firefighters on July 1, according to an e-mail from Town Clerk Paul Zarbetski. Mayor Raymond McDonough is also considering selling seven parking lots.

‘It’ll Work Out’
Those involved in Harrison’s plight said thousands of condos, shops and offices would have sprung up in its 1.3 square miles were it not for the 18-month recession that ended in June 2009, the longest since the Depression.

“Maybe we were a little aggressive,” McDonough said in a telephone interview. He said he wouldn’t do anything differently. “It’ll work out in the end.”

During the 1950s and 1960s, Harrison, which is 12 miles (19 kilometers) west of Manhattan, thrived. Wire and cable maker Driver-Harris Co., Crucible Steel Co. and Otis Elevator Co. employed tens of thousands. Eventually, manufacturers moved south and overseas, leaving the landscape by the Passaic River littered by vacant brick warehouses with broken windows.

McDonough, a 62-year-old retired plumber, has been mayor 16 years. An “old woman crying” in his office that she couldn’t pay what she owed the town prompted him to look for ways to boost the tax base, he said. In 1997, Harrison designated a third of the town, including the stadium area, for redevelopment.

Gazing Upon Newark
Because of its 20-minute train ride from Wall Street, town leaders envisioned the community, which the U.S. Census says is 44 percent Hispanic or Latino, as a lower-cost home for New York City professionals. They saw how the waterfronts in Hoboken and Jersey City attracted such commuters, although Harrison’s skyline view is of the Passaic and Newark, not the Hudson River and Manhattan’s towers.

To jump-start development, officials of the town, Hudson County and the state had tried since the early 2000s to craft a stadium deal for the team, then called the MetroStars. In 2006, Harrison agreed to pay $39 million for the land, the county put in $45 million for a parking garage and the team paid $200 million for stadium construction.

Revenue from development would fund debt service, said the official statement of Harrison’s bonds, which were sold through the Hudson County Improvement Authority and backed by the town and county. The issue also carried bond insurance from MBIA, now known as National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.

Over the past month, a Hudson County Improvement Authority bond from that deal maturing in 2016 traded at an average yield of 4 percent to 4.32 percent, which compares with an average yield of 1.53 percent for top-rated five-year municipal bonds, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Fitful Building
The bond offering described two ventures in particular. One, a 331-townhouse development, is about half built, said James Bruno, a lawyer who represents the Harrison Redevelopment Agency. The other hasn’t begun construction.

No feasibility study was done when the debt was sold, said Edward McManimon III, partner at bond counsel McManimon & Scotland, based in Newark.

The town forecast that developers’ payments would total $2.3 million in 2008 and increase to $11.5 million in 2011, according to Moody’s. Instead, Harrison received only $980,000 in 2009 and $1.1 million in both 2010 and 2011.

Herman Charbonneau, senior vice president at New York-based underwriter Roosevelt & Cross Inc., declined to comment on the record. The company got a fee of $354,603 for the bond issue, according to its offering statement.

Dennis Enright, principal at financial adviser NW Financial Group of Jersey City, didn’t respond to two calls for comment.

Plunking it Down
Restaurateurs and shopowners are wary of opening businesses around arenas because they don’t draw visitors every day, said Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

“If you’re talking about an area that is economically stagnant, and you simply plunk the facility there, it’s unlikely in the extreme that something will happen,” he said in a phone interview.

Harrison is the latest town to invest in sports only to find fiscal forecasts didn’t bear out. Hamilton County, Ohio, paid for stadiums for Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds and the Bengals of the National Football League with a sales-tax increase. Declining collections since 2008 have taken a toll: A $33 million deficit is projected in 2013 for capital repairs, said Terry Evans, county director of operations.

The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, which financed venues for three teams, dipped into reserves in November after the global financial crisis rocked its variable-rate debt.

‘Pretty Pictures’
In Harrison, critics such as Councilwoman Maria McCormick and property owner Steven Adler said the plan never added up. Town leaders were dazzled by promises, they said.

“You can’t imagine a quality development into being by drawing pretty pictures,” said Adler, who was paid $24 million for land the town claimed for development. “The idea you can graft that onto an industrial community is the height of pretense, arrogance and foolishness.”

Even the stadium, the one project that has come to completion, isn’t providing the revenue the town anticipated. The team argues that since the Harrison Redevelopment Agency owns the land, it shouldn’t have to pay property taxes, said Bruno, the agency’s lawyer.

“We continue to work with them to find an amicable solution,” said Erik Stover, the team’s managing director.

Cheering Development
The Red Bulls delivered, Stover said.

“Just building and bringing the team is a huge economic impact,” he said in a stadium skybox as the crowd roared during a match against the Colorado Rapids that featured the Bulls’ marquee player, Thierry Henry.

Several fans interviewed before the game, such as Bobby Kocal from Queens, said they loved the two-level arena. Seating is close to the action, and it’s covered by a roof of translucent polycarbonate and aluminum. Average attendance for the 25,000-seat arena ranges between 16,000 and 17,000, according to Jurgen Mainka, a Red Bulls spokesman.

Harrison continues to identify with the team. Its website advertises the phone number, and drivers exiting Route 280 are greeted with a sign that welcomes them to the home of the Red Bulls.

In a month, residents may see the fallout of betting on soccer as police and firefighters leave their posts.

“It bothers me,” McDonough said. “I’ve had some sleepless nights.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-09/red-bulls-stadium-bonds-sap-new-jersey-town-as-condominium-visions-vanish.html

that is bad planning aftermath. A 25000 seat stadium and averages 16 to 17, is just very poor planning. The town is in debt and they are letting go police officers and firefighter? So now there is a lack of safety and security why would anyone consider buying a condominium there? Investor are going to lose interest and say good bye to this town.

^^ That's bad. Just been talking to someone another thread and trying to convince them that publicly funded stadiums are not a good thing for many reasons. This is just one of them. What do you guys think of that idea in general?

^^ That's bad. Just been talking to someone another thread and trying to convince them that publicly funded stadiums are not a good thing for many reasons. This is just one of them. What do you guys think of that idea in general?

the best thing you can do when moving or building a new stadium is have local support. The town of Harrison has 14,000 inhabitants . The stadium capacity is for 25,000. In the end the numbers wont make any sense. Now the town has a burden and are expected to have visitors or tourist in order to pay its debts.

First game at Livestrong Sporting Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RBLSmy974w

Livestrong Park looks great on TV. The fans are very close to the action. Too bad this highlight shows the ineptitude of MLS officiating.

m7LjhCC6src

^^ That's bad. Just been talking to someone another thread and trying to convince them that publicly funded stadiums are not a good thing for many reasons. This is just one of them. What do you guys think of that idea in general?As a rule most people in the States are against the idea, and you can even follow www.fieldofschemes.com (http://www.fieldofschemes.com/) for stories about many such soap operas. Most State's also have access to economic models that can also illustrate how a particular investment of public funds may or may not yield long term return.

Alas, the allure of being within the national or global sporting spotlight is very strong (as fan boards can attest). It's very tough for a politician and select power brokers to be associated with a team leaving, or not coming to, your town. It doesn't help that such financial excess is also levied for other corporate ventures like auto plants and manufacturing facilities, and it's always easy for politicians to play around with someone else's money.

I do think the Harrison story is a bit misleading, as the finances relied on more than just a stadium. Sounds like the City failed (or was misled) regarding the payback conditions in the event the rest of the development was stalled or cancelled. This is less a sporting venue story but rather public funding of development in general.

Livestrong Park looks great on TV. The fans are very close to the action. Too bad this highlight shows the ineptitude of MLS officiating. This was close enough that most coaches advise against such challenges in the box to avoid the potential penalty. I was surprised the commentators sided with the ref because the replays suggest to me the defender got Bravo first, and was even moving away from the path of the ball.

Love the venue, though, and was glad to see another stand out crowd for MLS. Now we need better ball handlers and managers to move the league forward.

NYC don't have an MLS team. The Red Bulls are in Harrison NJ not within the 5 Boroughs of NYC. I am definitely not driving 30-45 mins and paying tolls to see a 90 min match. In that case the town locals or people from New Jersey are not showing up. Big mistake moving the so called "New York" Red Bulls to nowhere Harrison.

take the train.... njt or path.

take the train.... njt or path.



if I go alone sure I don't mind taking the train. But going with the family its expensive. Everyone thinks taking the train is a solution but to be honest I rather go to the nearest pub and watch the game there lol.

that is bad planning aftermath. A 25000 seat stadium and averages 16 to 17, is just very poor planning. The town is in debt and they are letting go police officers and firefighter? So now there is a lack of safety and security why would anyone consider buying a condominium there? Investor are going to lose interest and say good bye to this town.

Uhhh, the real problem is that Harrison thought they could be Hoboken aka luring yuppies to their condos...but they're not...they're Harrison. They're not across Manhattan, they're across Newark....and that's sorta like being across Croydon instead of the City of London. :lol:

The real reason they're in debt is the the real estate crash, not Red Bull Arena.

KC is incredibly fortunate. Moving from the worst stadium in the league to one of the best. The close proximity of the stands makes it even better than RBA in my opinion.

Livestrong Park looks great on TV. The fans are very close to the action. Too bad this highlight shows the ineptitude of MLS officiating.

m7LjhCC6src

Looked like a good call to me.

KC is incredibly fortunate. Moving from the worst stadium in the league to one of the best. The close proximity of the stands makes it even better than RBA in my opinion.
It's not really fair to judge a baseball park as a soccer stadium, IMO.

It's not really fair to judge a baseball park as a soccer stadium, IMO.

if it is being used as a soccer stadium, it can be judged. It's probably a fine minor league baseball stadium, but its a terrible soccer stadium.

KC is incredibly fortunate. Moving from the worst stadium in the league to one of the best. The close proximity of the stands makes it even better than RBA in my opinion. I don't think the stands are any closer than RBA honestly, not by a lot. Even Toyota Park is relatively close to the action. Actually, I've sat in the last row of the away section in RBA and the stands are really steep and I thought I was kinda far away compared to other SSS I've gone to. The players actually seemed small to me and it was hard to read their names on the uniforms, that doesn't happen in Toyota Park, BMO, Dallas, Rio Tinto.
That's simply because it's closer to 30k than seating 20k like those other stadiums. It's not a negative, just an observation.

http://www.filminglocations.com/Images/ListingPictures/Original/24486_Toyota_Park_Official_Pics_003.jpg

I don't see that big a difference between most SSS in regard to proximity except for HDC with it's ginormous pitch.

http://www.soccer-training-info.com/images/home_depot_center.jpg

Now that's worse, than Livestrong. Clearly, by a lot.

if I go alone sure I don't mind taking the train. But going with the family its expensive. Everyone thinks taking the train is a solution but to be honest I rather go to the nearest pub and watch the game there lol.

Puzzling booze on the train makes it worth it. where do you live BTW?

Puzzling booze on the train makes it worth it. where do you live BTW?

Howard Beach, Queens. I am better of driving, I just hate those tolls! lol

By the way I just found out FC New York from USL is playing at Belson Stadium.
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/stjo/graphics/belcon-stadium1.jpg
http://www.fieldturf.com/images/sized/images/installs/Webstj-420x316.jpg
http://shrani.si/files/belsontx6c.jpg

Seems like a silly stadium, what's the point in having seats all around if they're only a few rows deep?

Seems like a silly stadium, what's the point in having seats all around if they're only a few rows deep?

I think it is very interesting. It was built over a parking lot.

Ecuador-Greece soccer friendly (attendance 39,656):

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2011/06/09/PyIpgeVm.jpg
http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/citifield_t_110607_620_1.jpg?w=620
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0607/ny_g_greece-ecuador01_576.jpg
http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/citifield_t_110607_620_2.jpg?w=620
http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/citifield_t_110607_620_16.jpg
http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/citifield_t_110607_620_10.jpg
Images from newyork.cbslocal.com

can somebody make an overvieuw of teams - logo and current stadium.

MLS

East:
New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Arena (25,189)

http://www.redbullsacademy.com/assets/player/red_bulls_logo4.jpg

http://imgsrv.wcbs880.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/201003/6251454.jpg

Philadelphia Union, PPL Park (18,500)

http://phillyunionfooty.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/union-logo.jpg

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTScbyeskKFi-KpR4IwE15G0gxewCV4eOiw_9LEx22DZX5ZhWKC&t=1

New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium (68,756)

http://mls.theoffside.com/files/2009/03/revolution_logo.gif

http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/extras/schools_blog/gillette373.jpg

Columbus Crew, Crew Stadium (20,455)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/ColumbusCrew.png

http://www.tonenwilmainohio.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/columbus_crew_stadium.235133117_std.jpg

Toronto FC, BMO Field (23,000)

http://www.soccerbyives.net/.a/6a00e54ef2975b88330133f2ffd14e970b-500wi

http://www.stadiumbleachers.com/Images/Projects/Soccer/Toronto-MLS-Stadium/Toronto-BMO-Field-Soccer-Bleachers-1.jpg

Chicago Fire, Toyota Park (20,000)

http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/fire-logo.jpg

http://chicago.ettractions.com/storage/attraction/ToyotaPark2.jpg

DC United, RFK Stadium (46,000)

http://www.marcoantonioetcheverry.com/images/logos/dc-united-logo-300x300.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AmUf_QqwHf4/TG9Na9XICcI/AAAAAAAAAFs/wem8RNPObvA/s1600/RFK_Stadium_399c.JPG

Houston Dynamo, Robertson (soon to be replaced by new SSS) (32,000)

http://www.conservapedia.com/images/4/44/Houston_Dynamo.jpg

http://www.femexfut.org.mx/portalv2/img/noticias2/Primera/interliga/10/102709sederobertson.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6VDT5gcVmKk/TUwA3o2ehRI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Hx1Bb2RLO9o/s1600/DynamoNewStadium.bmp

Sporting Kansas City, Livestrong Sporting Park (18,467)

http://www.visitthedot.com/images/directory/111810030756_SportingKansasCityPrimary.JPG

http://btoellner.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f90869e2014e890b8045970d-pi

West:

C.D. Chivas USA & LA Galaxy, Home Depot Center (27,000)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NTBAps3cOA/Td7HalcvIrI/AAAAAAAAGzs/epGBvgF2trc/s1600/chivasUSA.gifhttp://www.mlssupporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/la_galaxy_logo_big.gif

http://games2010.crossfit.com/static/images/tonyb_HomeDepotCenterSoccerGame.jpg

Colorado Rapids, Dick's Sporting Goods Park (19,680)

http://www.footballcrests.com/images/crests/colorado-rapids.jpg

http://gosounders.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dsg_park.jpg

FC Dallas, Pizza Hut Park (21,193)

http://www.notwiththatface.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/fc-dallas-logo1.jpg

http://www.parkhub.com/sites/default/files/images/pizza-hut-park.jpg

Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen Field (22,000)

http://www.sportschop.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/timbers-logo.jpg

http://www.aboutfootballstadium.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Headquarters-Portland-Timbers-of-Previously-Known-as-PGE-Park-Jeld-Wen-Field-3.jpg

Seattle Sounders FC, Qwest Field (35,700 MLS (67,000 overall))

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mw8xYR4fPRc/TP_-NFjMJVI/AAAAAAAABNw/TAutti-6-A8/s400/sounders.jpg

http://i.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/bjlhsj2drko3q-auCCeMkJRD4-hd/Seattle/Sports/Qwest_Field/Qwest_Field-Seattle_Sounders_FC-hd.jpg

San Jose Earthquakes, Buck Shaw Stadium (10,300)

http://www.football-marketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/San-Jose-Earthquakes.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/b9/ac/6c/buck-shaw-stadium-at.jpg

Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium (20,008)

http://rsl.theoffside.com/files/2009/03/rsl-logo-300x300.jpg

http://www.zerozerofootball.com/img/estadios/063/9063_ori_rio_tinto_stadium.jpg

Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Empire Field (Moving to BC Place) (27,528)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5d/Vancouver_Whitecaps_FC_logo.svg/175px-Vancouver_Whitecaps_FC_logo.svg.png

http://wvhooligan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/EmpireField_SEcorner.jpeg

http://wvhooligan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bcplace1.jpg

Someone else can do the NASL & USL :cheers:

Vancouver will move to BC Place for next season, in fact long before Houston moves to it's new stadium.

Houston's is supposed to be ready for next season... but i will attempt to edit

Those are awful sight lines for the game at Citi...even for a baseball park.

And from that stadium list the only one in a horrible situation is DC United right?

Earthquakes have plans to move and the Revolution's owner already owns Gillette stadium.

Not sure how good/bad the Whitecaps being at BC Place is though (financially)...

If you showed me those pictures 10 years ago, I probably would have laughed at you.

Such progress in such little time.

thanks mate