Also, if they make MLS Cup, the league will be paying the rent, not the team. MLS Cup is an MLS event rather than an official DC United home game. The fiscal arithmetic is much different when the league is renting RFK rather than the team. Also, MLS Cup attracts fans from around the whole league in addition to thousands more dormant DCU fans/casual soccer fans/bandwagon jumpers. (not hating on bandwagon jumpers. I'm bringing a couple and my buddy is bring a few... there's plenty of room!)
Call me overly optimistic, But if MLS Cup were here, I would have to call it a disappointment to not sell out the entire place. They got near 40,000 in 2007 for 2 teams not involving DCU.
butbutbut...I was gonna get a marching band parade permit for 2am... ...and a marching band, too, I suppose. Oh, and say it's something to do with climate change or something.
I have been to 3 out of 4 finals here at THD and it is not easy to sell a lot of tickets in a short period of time for futbol here. There might have been 20k+ tickets 'sold' last year for the Gals (@ steep discounts no less; 2 for 1). But butts in the seats was much closer to 15k. I know it was only one week last year similar to the Bumble bees vs pink cows a few year searlier and possibly 2 outside teams was very real. That MLS had at most 15k in the seats. Interesting, the season (corp) ticket holder seating area is usually half empty during the season but for the finals it was full. The opposite side seast are usually full for a good match but that is where it half empty for the finals, I know that is where I sit. After 20-30 minutes in, our section filled up as other sections emptied out.
according to DCU facebook they are now selling SRO tickets (behind sections M45-M47). should be a PACKED house... i wonder how many SRO's they will try to jam in.
Ban me now...but I just have a feeling this will be like the 06 game v. NE. Just a constant barrage but unlucky.
I wholeheartedly disagree, I think this will be like the 04 game vs. NE. Just a constant barrage with the whole crowd behind the team. Then it will go to PKs where ... I'll see a lot of fans crying ... overcomed with pa-joy!
To me the game is on Pontius, DeLeon, De Ro, Neal, Bosko, Salihi, Pajoy, Saragosa being able to muster the two goals at 90 mins. Its possible. But Dynamo are not a sloppy team. So it's going to be tough. But we do have scoring to maybe make it happen. Won't be easy.
Is Ben going to be lining up a 4-5-1 tomorrow if Ponthius can't go? The midfield won't generate as much attack without him and Najar overlapping on the right. Maybe a 4-4-2 and rely more on Salihi and Santos to generate chances? Or maybe just leave it alone.
If Pontius is out, I'm OK with going 4-4-2 with Boskovic on the left wing, and Salihi/Santos or Salihi/Pajoy up top.
Back to the task at hand, everyone will need to be at their best today -- all game. Half of our starters may be out, so the guys on the field will need to play above their best. We in the stands will need to be loud and strong with no let up. Get your game faces on everyone. We've got a big mountain to climb today.
I read an game article where DeLeon said they need to be "patient". Olsen also said that later in the same article. I think this is key. If Houston stays back and plays to counter, DC United, as long as they are patient could benefit in the sense that the crowd will be behind them and as the game wears down it will be harder and harder for Houston to come out of it's shell due in part to the nature of the game. For this reason, I think we will see Salihi come in late in the game (last 20 minutes or so), as this game has all the markings for a goal poacher. It may not happen as I stated, but I have a good feeling! VAMOS UNITED!
Great day to be a DCU fan! I can only hope that we will all have to get a special ticket #4 from the league. Vamos United!