If the TC area ever gets an MLS team...... (Minneapolis: earthquakes, live in)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Oildog

You need tailgaiting for soccer to be successful. Thats a big reason the Kicks were popular...before the NASL over expanded...I was there when we beat the Cosmos 9-2.

Why do you need tailgating? Just asking.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Any MLS team and the Vikings don't have to play on the same day. Soccer starts in March too, so any MLS team that plays in the HHH Dome will get the stadium to themselves for a certain amount of time.

If the USL and NASL would bring the MLS down, then what would you suggest in order to have an MLS team in the TC area?

MLS no longer wants new teams playing in stadiums that were not specifically designed for soccer matches. It isn't just about having the stadium to themselves, it is about the atmosphere/feel during the matches. Sitting in a sold out soccer specific stadium for 20,000 is much more exciting than sitting in a 2/3 - 1/2 empty NFL stadium or a field with some bleachers in the middle of nowhere like the National Sports Center in Blaine. MLS would never allow a new franchise here if the owner planned to have them play at the HHH Metrodome.

The Seattle Sounders FC is the only recent team that has been given an exception and allowed to share Qwest Field with the Seahawks. It was designed for both NFL/Soccer and the upper seats are currently covered with giant tarps/xbox ads during MLS matches giving it a smaller feel. They have been expanding seating as needed and have been selling out over half of the stadium now. They sold 31,000 season tickets for the 2010 season. I would guess that they will eventually be the first MLS team to fill a NFL sized stadium for a MLS match. They have already filled the entire 65,000+ seat stadium during friendly matches against big name European teams.



The USL and NASL wouldn't bring the MLS down, they are not trying to compete, and some MLS talent is developed in those lower leagues. They don't have the money of MLS either, the franchise fee for a top level USL team is still under $1 million, MLS is up to $40+ million.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Oildog

You need tailgaiting for soccer to be successful. Thats a big reason the Kicks were popular...before the NASL over expanded...I was there when we beat the Cosmos 9-2.

That must have been an exciting match.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by moving123456

MLS no longer wants new teams playing in stadiums that were not specifically designed for soccer matches. It isn't just about having the stadium to themselves, it is about the atmosphere/feel during the matches. Sitting in a sold out soccer specific stadium for 20,000 is much more exciting than sitting in a 2/3 - 1/2 empty NFL stadium or a field with some bleachers in the middle of nowhere like the National Sports Center in Blaine. MLS would never allow a new franchise here if the owner planned to have them play at the HHH Metrodome.

The Seattle Sounders FC is the only recent team that has been given an exception and allowed to share Qwest Field with the Seahawks. It was designed for both NFL/Soccer and the upper seats are currently covered with giant tarps/xbox ads during MLS matches giving it a smaller feel. They have been expanding seating as needed and have been selling out over half of the stadium now. They sold 31,000 season tickets for the 2010 season. I would guess that they will eventually be the first MLS team to fill a NFL sized stadium for a MLS match. They have already filled the entire 65,000+ seat stadium during friendly matches against big name European teams.



The USL and NASL wouldn't bring the MLS down, they are not trying to compete, and some MLS talent is developed in those lower leagues. They don't have the money of MLS either, the franchise fee for a top level USL team is still under $1 million, MLS is up to $40+ million.

I am thinking, why not renovate James Griffin Stadium? I ask because the idea of playing in a suburb far from public transit is something I find kind of dreadful.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Oildog

You need tailgaiting for soccer to be successful. Thats a big reason the Kicks were popular...before the NASL over expanded...I was there when we beat the Cosmos 9-2.

The New York Cosmos crowd chant was haunting, though, wasn't it?

Man, I loved watching the Kicks at the old Met. We even sat in the left field bleachers in the rain a couple of times to watch.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I am thinking, why not renovate James Griffin Stadium? I ask because the idea of playing in a suburb far from public transit is something I find kind of dreadful.

That is a 4,000 seat high school stadium. MLS is trying to join the level of the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL.

The owner would be better off building something new that is owned by the team right near downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by moving123456

That is a 4,000 seat high school stadium. MLS is trying to join the level of the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL.

The owner would be better off building something new that is owned by the team right near downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul.

I know that. That is why I suggested that it should be renovated to have more seats.
Where could there be a new place to build a stadium in downtown Mpls or St. Paul? There is something I don't know. Maybe there is some space somewhere.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I know that. That is why I suggested that it should be renovated to have more seats.
Where could there be a new place to build a stadium in downtown Mpls or St. Paul? There is something I don't know. Maybe there is some space somewhere.

Even with renovations it would still be the high schools stadium on the high schools land. The team would be the laughing stock of the league playing at the local high school. The high school running track around the field would be annoying and parking would probably be a problem.

Downtown Minneapolis has acres of surface parking lots that could be developed. The new Twins Stadium was built on a former surface parking lot.

St. Paul has some decent spots open without buildings in and around downtown too.

[DaPerpKazoo]

I think a rebuilt Parade Stadium would be the best idea. Otherwise, one could probably take out a street to combine two of the empty blocks just north of the CBD south of Washington and fit 15,000-25,000 seats there. Not sure if I would be in favor of breaking the street grid though. I wonder how big a soccer stadium (if any) would fit on a standard downtown block?

[ColdRedRain]

hThey should build it in the East Metro if anything. The new soccer team will get lost in the shuffle if they're located in Minneapolis.