But I don't see why they said in that article they may change the name of the Sol. There's no need to do that since they've already established an identity and WPS fans everywhere know that name corresponds to the LA team.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=4878508 Paragraph before the section header "A rocky history."
Hmm. Makes sense to leave that door open, I guess. Gives them bargaining room with new owners who might not want to take on the baggage of Sol. But they'd also risk losing the reputation the Sol established. A lot can happen in a year. I'm sure they are not saying no to any eventuality just in case the cards fall in an odd way. But the phrasing of that comment does make me nervous that there is more to it...maybe that was one of the issues on the table with the mysterious owners who pulled out last minute? "The league officially has suspended the Sol, not folded the franchise, with hopes that it can return in 2011 with new ownership and possibly a new name." Hmmmm...thoughts everyone?
Good to see Marta go where she can do the most good at the gate in terms of improvement for the Pride. But at the same time, seems a bit of a demotion for her to go from the 27,000 seat HDC in LA to Hayward and it's Pioneer Stadium with 5,000 seats and fake grass.
Possibly. But I think the rental cost of that 27,000 seater had a wee bit to do w/ the cost over runs of the Sol. So I think she'll be ok w/ the smaller venue. Well, maybe not the plastic but the size will be just fine. Again, my condolences to all Sol fans. Has anyone saved or otherwise copied the season stats page from the Sol website? I did a screen shot of the regular season stats for field players but haven't grabbed the keeper stats or the playoff stats....
It's actually a HUGE demotion but it's not like they were sellling out the HDC so they didn't need a venue THAT big. But they should have a venue of at least 10K for the biggest star in the league which is why it sucks that Pioneer Stadium only has 5K. You know if they can expand the seating there by 1K or 2K? It almost makes it look like Marta is playing at a big high school stadium so ideally it should be a larger venue.
I don't think they can. The stadium is built into the side of a hill if I'm not mistaken so it would be hard to put any seats around it anywhere except maybe on the end lines between the track and the field.
I have a good feeling about the Sol returning in 2011. This really just seems like a last second backout from a sponsor with some bad luck. I would not be playing in the Home Depot Center though.
I feel badly for you Sol fans. What crap for AEG to fold your team. We Quakes fans have some experience with their perfidy. I would hope that somehow the Sol could be restarted next year or perhaps a new organization. I'm sure they can find a different stadium down there. Good luck. FUAEG!! Go Quakes! - Mark
Back before the Sol folded there was a rumor they might play the 2010 season at Cal State Fullerton. Not sure if there was anything to it. I have a vague memory that the Galaxy sometimes play USOC games there.
I don't understand the difficulty of playing at HDC. First of all, the stadium is designed as a soccer specific stadium. Why wouldn't the LA Sol be playing there? Course, I'd have settled for them playing at an elementary school blacktop if it meant saving the SOL
because since the Sol doesn't own the stadium, you will think they have to pay rent. Paying rent on a stadium that holds 26K is probably more expensive than playing on one that holds 5K.
It's all about the rent. The HDC is a very high rent venue for a stadium with only 5k people sitting in it.
I keep hearing AEG was expecting higher attendance but haven't heard what how many were expecting? I recall average last year being around 6,300. We're they expecting 10,000 or more?
I've heard of teams/entities folding and disbanding under current terms in order to reform under new ones if deals cannot be made. Maybe the potential ownership group could not buy the team under current terms. Maybe there was a clause where the new buyer had to play at HDC and other things and it was financially unsound for them so its better to disband and then start from scratch with a new entity, new contracts, another venue, etc., next season. I'm just guessing.
That's why I worry about the Red Stars in the future. They will play at Toyota Park this season. A great soccer specific stadium with real real grass. But how expensive is it? I don't want to see them next year go and play in a mid-level college stadium in the suburbs on astroturf with football lines. That would suck.
http://http://fans.womensprosoccer.com/profilesangeles-sol/blogs/a-letter-to-los- Thank you SOL fans from The WPS bittersweet comments
http://fans.womensprosoccer.com/profiles/blogs/a-letter-to-los-angeles-sol Thank you SOL fans from The WPS bittersweet comments
Dear Sol fans AFC Los Angeles SOL is going to be at The West Coast Soccer Expo getting signature for our petition to join WPS in 2011.
