12/21/24
June 11, 2003
Women's World Cup finale moved to Home Depot Center.: Man, I don't know about this. On the one hand, it's great to have these brand-new soccer-only stadiums, it's a good showcase for the game as it becomes the--what?--sixth or seventh most popular American pro sport. On the other hand, it's the freaking World Cup; there's no reason in the world why you should limit yourself to 27,000 people when 90,000 could show up. Except for the craven business reasons mentioned in the article above.
posted by Justin Slotman to soccer at 09:04 AM - 13 comments
I thought that 27,000 people seemed a little small for a soccer stadium. The Home Depot Center does seem like a good size for an American soccer stadium. Intimate and all. It will be a while (I assume) before you can get 60 000 Americans coming to a soccer game on a regular basis. It looks like there are only about 40 rows of seats up from the field. But I would not think it is befitting a World Cup final. You can fill a far larger stadium - particularly if the USA is in the final. Sure, show off the flashy new venue. But in a semi-final, maybe.
posted by gspm at 10:19 AM on June 11, 2003
I thought that 27,000 people seemed a little small for a soccer stadium. You haven't lived! Three old men and a whippet is where it all starts, support-wise.
posted by walrus at 10:33 AM on June 11, 2003
Guys, even in the EPL, the average attendance is only in the 30-40Ks (discounting Man U, Newcastle and Liverpool, who pull in 40-70K). It's only in Italy or Spain that you get the crazy big numbers like 60K. This is not that big a deal, considering it's the Women's World Cup (no disrespect to the women) and they only had 4-6 months to arrange an international tournament that normally takes 2-4 years to set up.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:48 AM on June 11, 2003
Mmmm, whippets. Wc2k2, I think you underestimate the ability of Americans to rise up and fill a stadium when they think it's their patriotic duty. Sure, no one gives a tinker's damn about the women now, but if they make the final, there will be a TON of bitching about how tough it is to get tickets. Remember, this is a country of damn near 300,000,000. There have to be more than 27,000 people willing to go see the championship game.
posted by wfrazerjr at 11:42 AM on June 11, 2003
WC2002: This is not that big a deal, considering it's the Women's World Cup (no disrespect to the women) and they only had 4-6 months to arrange an international tournament that normally takes 2-4 years to set up. JS: Two points: 1. The Women's World Cup should be held here every time--we Americans are the only ones who care about it. I know what you what you're saying but this is another one of those situations where the American sports fan has entirely different priorities from the Latim American/European/Asian sports fan. The two most famous American soccer players are still women. There you go. 2. I still think telling 53,000 people to go watch teevee is a big deal. Maybe it won't big as big a deal as '99--but an intimate stadium is the right venue for a MLS team, not for--again--the freaking World Cup.
posted by Justin Slotman at 11:45 AM on June 11, 2003
I think Atlanta was left out because TPTB only want a max of four sites in the east and Columbus got that spot. Plus, I'm pissed that San Jose will possibly be passed over for Portland. Portland doesn't even have a freaking WUSA team!
posted by billsaysthis at 12:56 PM on June 11, 2003
walrus (and maybe wc2002) - my only thoughts on capacity had to do with a world cup final, not football in general (thought I guess i didn't write it that way). here in scotland there are teams that draw 3000 a week (scottish premier league mind you, not a superleague by any stretch). there is a stadium around the corner and i dunno how many go there on a typical week, i'd guess 8000. 27000 is not a small stadium for football in my observation, but it is a small stadium for a world cup final, time to organize or no. JS - Mia Hamm and...? Sorry, all i can think of is Cobi Jones (hey, he appeard on Melrose Place, man) and Alexi Lalas. And some guy that was playing for Everton, Brian? McBride. Can't think of a second US women's soccer player. I might be alone though.
posted by gspm at 01:51 PM on June 11, 2003
gspm, Brandy 'I don't like my Shirt' Chastain...but that's about it for me.
posted by garfield at 01:56 PM on June 11, 2003
You guys are all right! Look at the top 10 attendance figures from the 1999 Women's World Cup! The final had the top attendance with 90K! Holy cow! I was at the US-Brazil semi-final and that had 73K! I never knew! I did not know! Based on these numbers, 27K looks really lame now.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:25 PM on June 11, 2003
GSPM: Mia Hamm and...? Sorry, all i can think of is Cobi Jones (hey, he appeard on Melrose Place, man) and Alexi Lalas. And some guy that was playing for Everton, Brian? McBride. Can't think of a second US women's soccer player. I might be alone though. JS: Why, BRANDI CHASTAIN, of course! Her post-goal celebration is the greatest non-Mardi Gras female shirt removal in history, and is etched in all of our memories. I think.
posted by Justin Slotman at 05:16 PM on June 11, 2003
ah yes. the name escapes me, the action does not. i was at a loss because i don't spend much time: a) in america b) watching american women's soccer c) soaking up american media references to soccer i never actually saw any of the last women's world cup so the victory is only something i am aware of through the print and net media. but i guess i needed that reminder. a little Nike sportsbra hint would have also been a sufficient reminder. nonetheless i am fully aware of brandi now that you mention her though i would be hard pressed to pick her out of a women's soccer player lineup. i guess if cobi jones whipped off his shirt on melrose place then maybe...
posted by gspm at 05:44 PM on June 11, 2003
gspm: I guessed as much, but I couldn't resist the whippet reference. Don't ask me why now.
posted by walrus at 06:12 PM on June 11, 2003
This is interesting. Atlanta was turned down as a site specifically because of this reason. It was noted that the stadium where the Atlanta Beat play was too small (although I think they only seat between 15,000 to 20,000 fans). Carson must have some heavy hitters lobbying for them because they are also in the lead to get an NFL Franchise over the Rose Bowl. Pasadena is such a great venue, but I think the dollar speaks louder when you can generate more revenue for the backers by building, rather than using what is already there.