Week 16 Attendance Update

The MLS had a great pre-Fourth of July weekend and Fourth of July turnout. Almost all teams sold out games during this time every team had a higher than normal turnout. What says America more than soccer now a days? 

San Jose pulled off another great turnout against the Galaxy in the California Classico just like they did last year. They had over 50,000 come out to see Wondolowski help the Quakes come back and win a 4-3 thriller. This bodes well for San Jose as they get a new stadium in the near future with a capacity near 18,000. 

Otherwise the MLS has had a pretty good turnout since it's short break during the Euro Cup. With no announcement yet, I am assuming the MLS will stay at 19 teams for next year. So the best we can hope for is growth within the teams. Better talent seems to be coming in free agent signings and more people are becoming interested in Major League Soccer. As attendances increase and the level of play increases, it seems the MLS and Don Garber are on the right track.

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	15,398	20,000	76.99%	14,274	+7.88
Chivas USA	13,127	18,800	69.83%	14,830	-11.48
Colorado Rapids	15,395	18,086	85.12%	14,838	+3.75
Columbus Crew	14,141	20,145	70.20%	12,185	+16.05
DC United	14,132	19,467	72.59%	15,211	-7.10
FC Dallas	13,722	20,500	66.93%	12,861	+6.69
Houston Dynamo	21,632	22,000	98.33%	17,694	+22.26
Los Angeles Galaxy	22,483	27,000	83.27%	23,335	-3.65
Montreal Impact	25,357	20,341	124.66%	---	---
NE Revolution	12,485	20,000	52.43%	13,222	-5.57
New York Red Bulls	17,161	25,000	68.64%	19,691	-12.85
Philadelphia Union	18,380	18,500	99.35%	18,258	+0.67
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,604	20,213	92.04%	17,594	+5.74
San Jose Earthquakes	16,509	10,525	156.85%	11,858	+39.22
Seattle Sounders	39,469	38,500	102.52%	38,495	+2.53
Sporting Kansas City	19,348	18,467	104.77%	17,810	+8.63
Toronto FC	19,036	21,140	90.04%	20,267	-6.08
Vancouver Whitecaps	19,123	21,000	91.06%	20,406	-6.29
Average	18,847	21,059	89.50%	17,870	+5.47

Vacation Update - Montreal falls from attendance graces

This is the first time I have posted from my iPhone so be wary. I am currently camping in Colorado until July 9th. I will be away from a computer and my database, so there will be no updates till then. Till then I hope everyone keeps watching some great MLS games. I will continue to ponder the Impact's fall from attendance grace. They hosted crowds of 58,000+ and 60,000+ and at one point lead the league in attendance. Since moving to Stade Saputo, they have recorded some terrible attendance. Their first game in the stadium wasn't a sellout and a mere 17,000 people showed up to see them beat the Sounders. Since then they have seen crowds of 12,000 for a 4-2 drubbing of Houston and 14,000 in a 3-0 loss to Toronto. I don't get it. This team is winning. They just played two of the most interesting teams in the MLS with some great talent to mediocre crowds. Oh and isn't there a source of rivalry between Toronto and Montreal? This fan base has fallen from the graces. What more can you ask for then a fun and exciting team that is winning as an expansion team. Was I asking too much to expect Montreal to continue the Canadian ways of hosting consistent crowds of 20,000+? Comments please.

Week 15 Attendance Update

The MLS had a decent week in terms of attendance. It was capped off by a couple fun nationally televised games with crazy crowds. Portland earned a 2-1 victory in front of a boisterous Timbers Army while the New York Red Bulls sold out their first game of the year beating the league leading DC United 3-2. These were both fun games to watch and after seeing them, who wouldn't want to head out to catch the action themselves in person.

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	14,756	20,000	73.78%	14,274	+3.38
Chivas USA	13,291	18,800	70.69%	14,830	-10.38
Colorado Rapids	14,892	18,086	82.34%	14,838	+0.36
Columbus Crew	13,219	20,145	65.62%	12,185	+8.49
DC United	13,668	19,467	70.21%	15,211	-10.14
FC Dallas	13,255	20,500	64.66%	12,861	+3.07
Houston Dynamo	21,916	22,000	99.62%	17,694	+23.86
Los Angeles Galaxy	21,982	27,000	81.41%	23,335	-5.80
Montreal Impact	30,280	20,341	163.54%	---	---
NE Revolution	11,819	20,000	59.09%	13,222	-10.61
New York Red Bulls	17,161	25,000	68.64%	19,691	-12.85
Philadelphia Union	18,378	18,500	99.34%	18,258	+0.66
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,648	20,213	92.26%	17,594	+5.99
San Jose Earthquakes	11,668	10,525	110.86%	11,858	-1.60
Seattle Sounders	39,514	38,500	102.63%	38,495	+2.65
Sporting Kansas City	19,364	18,467	104.86%	17,810	+8.73
Toronto FC	18,888	21,140	89.35%	20,267	-6.81
Vancouver Whitecaps	19,123	21,000	91.06%	20,406	-6.29
Average	18,650	21,059	88.56%	17,870	+4.37

Week 14 - The MLS is back!

Sorry I was away from my computer as I was on a vacation the last 4 days. After the Euro Cup group stage break, the MLS started back up this weekend. Watching the Euro Cup has been quite a lot of fun as nothing can rival the intensity of each nation and the competition. Meanwhile, Montreal opened their newly redone Saputo Stadium to a decent crowd (17,112 and 84.12% full) as they beat up on the Sounders.

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	14,415	20,000	72.08%	14,274	+0.99
Chivas USA	13,655	18,800	72.63%	14,830	-7.92
Colorado Rapids	15,194	18,086	84.01%	14,838	+2.40
Columbus Crew	13,219	20,145	65.62%	12,185	+8.49
DC United	13,668	19,467	70.21%	15,211	-10.14
FC Dallas	13,181	20,500	64.30%	12,861	+2.49
Houston Dynamo	22,039	22,000	100.18%	17,694	+24.56
Los Angeles Galaxy	22,038	27,000	81.62%	23,335	-5.56
Montreal Impact	33,267	20,341	163.54%	---	---
NE Revolution	11,819	20,000	59.09%	13,222	-10.61
New York Red Bulls	15,823	25,000	63.29%	19,691	-19.64
Philadelphia Union	18,407	18,500	99.49%	18,258	+0.81
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,486	20,213	91.46%	17,594	+5.07
San Jose Earthquakes	11,668	10,525	110.86%	11,858	-1.60
Seattle Sounders	38,587	38,500	100.23%	38,495	+0.24
Sporting Kansas City	19,364	18,467	104.86%	17,810	+8.73
Toronto FC	18,889	21,140	89.35%	20,267	-6.80
Vancouver Whitecaps	19,006	21,000	90.51%	20,406	-6.86
Average	18,512	21,059	87.90%	17,870	+3.59

Week 13 - USOC and USMNT Play

There has only been one MLS match played this week. The US soccer world has been filled with USMNT friendlies to prepare for World Cup qualifying along with US Open Cup games.

The US Open Cup had a crazy start this past week. It is nice to see the Cup expand to include a large field, and there was no shortage of drama as the 16 United States MLS teams joined the action. After all was said and done, the West's best Real Salt Lake were bounced by the Minnesota Stars along with many other MLS teams. Only half of the MLS teams won as the fourth round sees only 8 MLS teams joined by 3 NASL teams, 3 USLPro teams, a PDL team, and a USASA team. History has already been made, and it is not over. These teams from the 2nd to 4th division and even an adult team are playing their hearts out as the MLS puts on reserves. I know some MLS teams do not care about the US Open Cup, but there is something to be said about putting a team on the field, even if they are reserves to get a win for your team. The Sounders have shown what can be done with effort in the USOC, and isn't the bid for the CONCACAF Champions League enough of a reason to try? Tuesday will host the fourth round of the Cup.

Meanwhile the US has shown a stellar offensive team against Scotland, a lackluster team against Brazil, and a just plain boring team that got out played tonight against Canada. It will be interesting to see how the US will be able to find their shape and lineup as Klinsmann has been switching between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3. The men will start their bid for the 2014 World Cup later this week in Florida playing a should be cake team in Antigua and Barbuda. The will then face a tougher challenge against Guatemala to finish this cycle of national games. MLS will then start back up as the world of soccer will be caught up in the Euro Cup.

As to MLS attendance, it has started to level off at around 18,500 as the league looks to set even more attendance records this year. It will be interesting to see how attendance rises in the summer and how it will decline in the fall as football season kicks in. The MLS has league play all the way till October with the playoffs ending with the MLS Cup on December 1. We aren't even half way through the season, but the MLS is still expanding and showing growth in attendance, something that will hopefully catch the view of the world.

Week 12 Attendance Update

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing

Sorry for the delay. This Memorial Day weekend I took a 5 day trip to the Indy 500 and a few other midwest   cities. I saw my Minnesota Twins lose to the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular too. I enjoyed some sporting events, and the epitome of white trash. I even got to see some of the USMNT game vs Scotland  in a restaurant. They clicked and this was a good start for this 5 game stretch for them. Maybe when Landon returns to LA they can change their ways, but as for now, they are at the bottom of the Western conference.

I did not see much of the MLS games, but they looked to be exciting and full of goals. This Memorial Day Weekend was also good for attendance as many teams had large or sell out crowds.

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	13,730	20,000	68.65%	14,274	-3.81
Chivas USA	13,632	18,800	72.51%	14,830	-8.08
Colorado Rapids	15,194	18,086	84.01%	14,838	+2.40
Columbus Crew	13,219	20,145	65.62%	12,185	+8.49
DC United	13,668	19,467	70.21%	15,211	-10.14
FC Dallas	13,181	20,500	64.30%	12,861	+2.49
Houston Dynamo	22,039	22,000	100.18%	17,694	+24.56
Los Angeles Galaxy	22,242	27,000	82.38%	23,335	-4.68
Montreal Impact	36,498	20,341	179.43%	---	---
NE Revolution	11,598	20,000	57.99%	13,222	-12.28
New York Red Bulls	15,823	25,000	63.29%	19,691	-19.64
Philadelphia Union	18,313	18,500	98.99%	18,258	+0.30
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,486	20,213	91.46%	17,594	+5.07
San Jose Earthquakes	11,668	10,525	110.86%	11,858	-1.60
Seattle Sounders	38,587	38,500	100.23%	38,495	+0.24
Sporting Kansas City	19,177	18,467	103.84%	17,810	+7.67
Toronto FC	18,889	21,140	89.35%	20,267	-6.80
Vancouver Whitecaps	19,012	21,000	90.53%	20,406	-6.83
Average	18,590	21,059	88.28%	17,870	+4.03

Week 11 Attendance Update

Today was a bad day for me as I am a Bayern fan, and as many of you know they lost a game they should have by all rights won. After watching that game and then watching the Chivas vs. Galaxy tonight on ESPN 2, which was sloppy just like most of the games today, it shows just how far MLS is behind (not saying they should be close or ever will be close, but it is like day and night). Granted the Home Depot Derby looked a little better than the 6 rec soccer games I reffed this morning. It will be interesting to see the Seattle vs. Chelsea (reserves most likely) game in a couple months.

Overall attendance was a little low this weekend as most of the games were at the smaller attendance locals. The games were sloppy with bad hand ball calls, red cards, and sloppy tackling. It was quite tough to watch the LA derby. The weekend ends with a Sunday night game in Portland. The Timbers will welcome Valencia  this week in the first of a few international friendlies this summer. 

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	14,087	20,000	70.43%	14,274	-1.31
Chivas USA	13,856	18,800	73.70%	14,830	-6.57
Colorado Rapids	14,658	18,086	81.04%	14,838	-1.22
Columbus Crew	12,658	20,145	62.83%	12,185	+3.88
DC United	13,548	19,467	69.60%	15,211	-10.93
FC Dallas	13,181	20,500	64.30%	12,861	+2.49
Houston Dynamo	22,039	22,000	100.18%	17,694	+24.56
Los Angeles Galaxy	23,197	27,000	85.91%	23,335	-0.59
Montreal Impact	36,498	20,341	179.43%	---	---
NE Revolution	11,598	20,000	57.99%	13,222	-12.28
New York Red Bulls	16,204	25,000	64.82%	19,691	-17.71
Philadelphia Union	18,313	18,500	98.99%	18,258	+0.30
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,344	20,213	90.75%	17,594	+4.26
San Jose Earthquakes	11,668	10,525	110.86%	11,858	-1.60
Seattle Sounders	38,627	38,500	100.33%	38,495	+0.34
Sporting Kansas City	19,017	18,467	102.98%	17,810	+6.78
Toronto FC	19,022	21,140	89.98%	20,267	-6.14
Vancouver Whitecaps	19,012	21,000	90.53%	20,406	-6.83
Average	18,592	21,059	88.28%	17,870	+4.04

Week 10 Attendance Update

Houston opens BBVA Compass Stadium to 22,039 fans

After a terrible group of midweek games all sub 14,000 attendance, a game at Seattle, the opening of BBVA Compass Stadium, and the LA Galaxy visiting Montreal made for a better weekend. Right now I am pretty sure that Montreal is single handily keeping the attendance from dipping below last years mark.

60,860 enjoy the Impact battle the Galaxy in Montreal

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	14,087	20,000	70.43%	14,274	-1.31
Chivas USA	12,868	18,800	68.44%	14,830	-13.23
Colorado Rapids	14,505	18,086	80.20%	14,838	-2.25
Columbus Crew	12,658	20,145	62.83%	12,185	+3.88
DC United	13,751	19,467	70.64%	15,211	-9.60
FC Dallas	13,168	20,500	64.24%	12,861	+2.39
Houston Dynamo	22,039	22,000	100.18%	17,694	+24.56
Los Angeles Galaxy	23,197	27,000	85.91%	23,335	-0.59
Montreal Impact	40,529	20,341	199.25%	---	---
NE Revolution	10,394	20,000	51.97%	13,222	-21.39
New York Red Bulls	16,204	25,000	64.82%	19,691	-17.71
Philadelphia Union	18,313	18,500	98.99%	18,258	+0.30
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,344	20,213	90.75%	17,594	+4.26
San Jose Earthquakes	11,904	10,525	113.10%	11,858	+0.38
Seattle Sounders	38,627	38,500	100.33%	38,495	+0.34
Sporting Kansas City	19,017	18,467	102.98%	17,810	+6.78
Toronto FC	19,022	21,140	89.98%	20,267	-6.14
Vancouver Whitecaps	18,615	21,000	88.64%	20,406	-8.78
Average	18,808	21,059	89.31%	17,870	+5.25

Week 9 Attendance Update

The Houston Dynamo look forward to opening BBVA Compass Stadium next weekend.

After a less than stellar midweek, the MLS followed up with a solid weekend. Here is a list of home teams and attendance from this weekend.

Chivas USA - 14,652

Toronto FC - 18,364

Seattle Sounders - 38,399

Vancouver Whitecaps - 19,271

LA Galaxy - 27,000

Sporting KC - 20,404

Real Salt Lake - 18,219

Portland Timbers - 20,438

FC Dallas - 11,702

Team	2012 Average Attendance	Capacity	Percent Full	2011 Average Attendance	% Change from 2011
Chicago Fire	14,243	20,000	71.22%	14,274	-0.21
Chivas USA	12,868	18,800	68.44%	14,830	-13.23
Colorado Rapids	14,505	18,086	80.20%	14,838	-2.25
Columbus Crew	13,043	20,145	64.74%	12,185	+7.04
DC United	13,751	19,467	70.64%	15,211	-9.60
FC Dallas	13,681	20,500	66.74%	12,861	+6.38
Houston Dynamo		22,000	%	17,694
Los Angeles Galaxy	23,197	27,000	85.91%	23,335	-0.59
Montreal Impact	33,752	20,341	165.93%	---	---
NE Revolution	9,821	20,000	49.11%	13,222	-25.72
New York Red Bulls	17,426	25,000	69.71%	19,691	-11.50
Philadelphia Union	18,343	18,500	99.15%	18,258	+0.46
Portland Timbers	20,438	20,438	100.00%	18,827	+8.56
Real Salt Lake	18,344	20,213	90.75%	17,594	+4.26
San Jose Earthquakes	12,360	10,525	117.44%	11,858	+4.24
Seattle Sounders	38,513	38,500	100.03%	38,495	+0.05
Sporting Kansas City	19,017	18,467	102.98%	17,810	+6.78
Toronto FC	19,022	21,140	89.98%	20,267	-6.14
Vancouver Whitecaps	18,615	21,000	88.64%	20,406	-8.78
Average	18,626	21,059	88.45%	17,870	+4.23

Midweek Games

Midweek games on the east coast are absolutely terrible. Everyone works late and no one wants to travel all the way to some suburb on a week night to go to an MLS game. There is no blaming other sports as the Celtics have the night off after winning last night, the Bruins have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs, and a struggling Red Sox team who lost tonight to the A's is of no conflict either. NE had a total official attendance of 6,149, and even that is probably inflated. This is just absolutely terrible.

Not tonight, just a picture of a usual game in Gillette stadium

Meanwhile, a friend of mine is at the Seattle Sounders game (photo attached) and it looks like once again, on a week night, the Sounders have 39,002. (Granted it is a much higher profile match against the Galaxy, versus the Revolution v. Rapids game)

Right after the first Sounders goal of the night.

I know that NE and DC are in rough times without soccer specific stadiums, but even an exciting NY team only drew 13,415 fans a couple weeks ago. Guess what, Thierry Henry had a hat trick, and that was on a Saturday. There is something about the east coast that is causing every team to have inconsistent attendance, while from Kansas City westward, can have about the same attendance every week. The east coast has an attendance around 14,000 (for the year) for all clubs minus Philly and NY. They constantly are bringing down the overall MLS attendance. For how large these metropolitan areas are, there should be no excuses. If Real Salt Lake and Portland can strive in smaller markets, there should be no excuse for the lack of attendance along the east coast.


I usually don't write, and I have two more finals to study for (one in 10 hours or so), so I will stop my rant here. I may be a Midwestern college kid, but is it really that hard to get a few people to watch some decent soccer?

Comments please.

*** Correction:  Right after this post, I found out that San Jose had a dismal 8,734 attendance for a team which is playing the best soccer in the Western Conference. Usually San Jose sells out their 10,525 capacity makeshift stadium, and last year they drew 41,028 for a 4 of July weekend game against the NYRB. It is positive that San Jose is getting a soccer specific stadium in the next year or so. This does not excuse a poor showing though against a hot DC team in which 8 goals were scored. That would have been quite the match to be at.