Concacaf has announced their host cities for the Gold Cup this summer and Denver is on the list, but the game(s) will be at Mile-Hi Sports Authority instead of Dick's. http://www.concacaf.com/page/GoldCup/NewsDetail/0,,12813~3050948,00.html
I can only assume they chose Sports Authority over Dicks' b/c they are planning to schedule a Mexican team to play here and expect to surpasss the 20k mark by a lot, given the Mexican immigrant population in Denver.
That's logical thinking there. So Mexico vs. who? I'd be more interested if it was anyone but Mexico though. It won't be a particularly competitive match. Unless Denver hosts more than one. Then I could go to the non-Mexico match.
for as much crap as people give Hinchey on this board, he deserves a damn Medal or an Executive of the Year award. He is killing it so far!
No idea, of course. I don't suppose it matters much *if* the intent is to get Mexican nationals to turn out en masse. I'd probably go regardless who they play.
What did Hinchey have to do with it? How does this help the Rapids? We know there's a soccer market in the area, the problem is getting more of them to pay to see the Rapids.
Do we know of the Rapids had anything to do with this? Usually games like this are handled by third-party promoters.
Did you go to the friendly vs. New Zealand? I considered it, but figured Meh, a friendly. It was not close to a sellout but was still well-attended. A Gold Cup game could be fun. Mexico will likely send a "B" team though, right? Since they are in the Confed Cup the month prior.
well i know for a fact the rapids along with metro denver sports commission put a bid in so yeah they did
Have not been to a game at Sports Authority/Mile High. Perhaps a Mexican "B" team but I don't think that would matter much to most Mexicans here. Choosing a large venue such as Sports Auth. could mean a US team, I suppose, but I have no idea how these decisions are made (choosing stadiums for CONCACAF). Could simply be that, as Jason mentioned above, that the games are managed/promoted by a third party, and regardless of the teams playing, the organizers/promoters may just want to maximize their potential attendance. Three times the space at Sports Authority. Interstingly, Pasadena Rose Bowl will hold another game, bypassing Home Depot. Alternatively, Rio Tinto and Jeld Wen were also chosen.
I'm surprised the Rapids joined a bid that wouldn't use the Dick. Seems like there isn't a ton in it for KSE.
Your lips look chapped. There is no way he, or anybody in KSE, would put a bunch of effort into acquiring an event that would give them literally no benefits. What is a lot more likely is that Hincey may have been involved in a collective bid to get a game here with the idea that it would be played at Dick's, but then CONCACAF turned around and said they wanted a larger venue. Thats an absurdly vague answer that doesn't explain anything.
Ceating excitement for soccer in Denver, regardless of whether it is at DSG or not, can only help the Rapids. I have no idea whether the Rapids had anything to do with this, but you have to admit that the Rapids have been a lot more aggressive in bringing in events since Hinchey took over. Also, calling crazyjon an a$$ kisser because he supports the FO (and not blindly based on past posts) is pretty ridiculous, even for you.
I've been to a couple of Gold Cups. At the matches I've attended it was hit or miss with the crowds. In '09 I saw a double-header in Columbus with Jamaica - Costa Rica and El Salvador - Canada that maybe drew 10K. Two years later, in '11, I saw Panama - Guadeloupe in Detriot at Ford Field and there was easily 30K. I was there on business and just on a whim decided to go. I was shocked at the "walk up" crowd and more shocked those teams could draw that crowd -- in Detriot. Denver will probably be hit or miss depending on the opponent. That's why I wish DSP was being used. 12K in 18K DSP looks better on TV than 30K in 75K seat SAF. Fingers crossed, that a USA, Mex., Hon., or ES lands in Denver. Those will definitely produce a nice turnout. Either, way I'll be there just to support the local soccer community.
Here's the thing. Events like this don't automatically translate into impacting the Rapids. If Mexico plays for example, all the Mexicans will come out for the game, but then continue going about their business ignoring the local team while following Chivas, Club America, etc. Just because there is a soccer event in Denver, they do not make an automatic connection with the Rapids. With this in mind, how exactly is this going to translate to the Rapids? Are they going to put ads out all over the stadium? Will people ignore them anyway like they have in the past? Yes, they have been more aggressive, but there is a difference between congratulating an actual accomplishment, and polishing somebody's knob for something that is literally going to have zero impact on me or my club.
According to you. And god forbid anyone say something contrary to your belief that the Rapids FO has and always will be incompetent regardless of signs that point to the opposite. The fact that you have zero information on who's playing the games and how the Rapids are planning on marketing the game makes your position that much more absurd. It's cool that your always pessimistic/negitive. I get that's your schtick, but lay off the name calling. It's uncalled for.
Does CONCACAF (or the venue) control the ticketing? Otherwise, perhaps there is a Tickethorse interest, or maybe a STH pre-sale (good for selling STH'es if there are regular opportunities) in addition to some sort of middleman fee.
I did, looked/felt like a full house ... good atmosphere. It was a good match and I'd attend again regardless of the teams.
I have to agree on the general point of Quinn's posts. I'm sure the Rapids wanted Gold Cup games here, but I'm also sure they wanted them at the Dick. In some ways this can actually hurt the Rapids. In the middle of July, when the Rapids are home for 3 of 4 games there's now a competing soccer event in town to drain entertainment dollars. If they could have sold double-header tickets at the Dick that would have been helpful but instead they now have competition. Is it a big deal? Probably not, but I have a hard time believing this was a desired outcome from KSE's point of view.
Well perhaps very few of the 20ish people who frequent here. But the thousands of soccer-watching Mexicans in Denver will certainly care. Guess I won't see you at that one. But, given the further discussion on this thread, I am less inlcined to believe that "Mexico" is the reason for choosing Sports Authority over Dick's.
Tickets will run through CONCACAF, but ticket brokers (like TicketMaster, Tickethorse, etc.) tend to sign exclusivity contracts with venues, so tickets will probably have to run through whatever vendor ususally has tickets for Sports Authority (I'm guessing Ticketmaster). Also with the game at a different stadium, I don't think its likely there will be any sort of deal for Rapids STHs.