04/18/24
March 27, 2014
"The Krafts Are the Worst Owners in the League": what the heck is wrong with the New England Revolution?
I was shocked to find there used to be a 15,000 seat stadium a few minutes from where my parents moved when I went away to college.* It's gone now, but it once hosted Celtic, Rangers and a visiting Italian XI. Bring back Maaahhhk's Stadeyum, Kraft!
* I refuse to say "where I grew up" even though that was one town away. One town and a bridge to keep the riff-raff away.
posted by yerfatma at 03:52 PM on March 27, 2014
where my parents moved when I went away to college
The real question is not where you grew up, yerfatma, but whether or not your parents let you know they had moved.
OK, sarcasm aside, a smaller, custom-made soccer stadium would be something really nice to have. My off-the-wall guess as to the Krafts' reluctance to build one is the reception they received when attempting to locate a new stadium for the Patriots within the City of Boston or its near environs. Many a politician nearly broke his hand extending it, not for a handshake but for the handout that was expected. Thus the Krafts were forced to fall back on Foxborough, receiving minimal state help in the form of road improvements, and ending up with what has to be considered a second class football facility (but a pretty good shopping mall). I believe it is 'once burned, twice cautious' for the Kraft family. Another theory is that soccer fans in New England do not speak with a loud enough voice to push the outcry for a better team much above the noise level. With the 'big 4' winning championships and having faithful fan bases even when rebuilding, the Revs just don't get the attention they deserve.
posted by Howard_T at 05:42 PM on March 27, 2014
Isn't every town in RI just one town away?
(Never thought I would willingly eat pizza that was just sauce and dough till I hung out with people from South Prov.)
posted by beaverboard at 06:02 PM on March 27, 2014
Isn't every town in RI just one town away?
From my time here in Newport...yes.
Unless it's across a bridge, which is also all of them, apparently.
posted by Bonkers at 10:09 PM on March 27, 2014
Aquidneck Island is a little different. My mom grew up in Newport and there was definitely an older crowd that needed shots and their passport before they'd cross a bridge.
posted by yerfatma at 08:01 AM on March 28, 2014
How about having to cross over the line to New Beige? That would be huge no doubt.
I know folks who have to head there and park their car to take the "launch" out to their island retreats, and I think they spend their whole time in paradise wondering about their tires.
posted by beaverboard at 08:56 AM on March 28, 2014
A dedicated soccer stadium in Somerville would be amazing.