View Full Version : Utah Blitzz Moving to Colorado Springs?
jasoncox
12 Jul 2004, 08:38 PM
There was a post on the USL forums about a recent rumor of the the Blitzz being sold to a group in Colorado Springs and staying in the PSL. Anyone else hear anything about this? I guess that would solve the A-League/MLS dillema in SLC...
dysko
13 Jul 2004, 02:19 AM
There was a post on the USL forums about a recent rumor of the the Blitzz being sold to a group in Colorado Springs and staying in the PSL. Anyone else hear anything about this? I guess that would solve the A-League/MLS dillema in SLC...
I haven't heard that, but I seriously doubt it. All the owners are Utahns and the Coach/Owner Chris Agnelo hatched this team from his own blood sweat and tears. I really don't see him abandoning the team or its associated youth program. But, I could be wrong. Although, I doubt that anyone would be willing to pay what he would probably ask for his portion of the team. More realisticly, I see Blitzz attendance dropping quite a bit. But, the club will probably try and make close ties with the new MLS team.
Also, Agnelo has said that the team has also considered the possibility of dropping down a league as seriously as they ahave considered a jump to the A-league. So, Blitzz as an A-league team is still somewhat of a question mark.
Wade Bills
13 Jul 2004, 04:37 PM
The MLS expansion does throw some potential wrinkles into the future of the Blitzz, but given Colorado Springs already has a PDL team, it seems doubtful the Blitzz would be relocated to the same city.
... but given Colorado Springs already has a PDL team...
I'm sure 471 people who turn up for their last home match (http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/stats/2004/1077330.html) will really have a difficult time picking which team to follow. :p
SocrStopr13
14 Jul 2004, 06:09 PM
I'm sure 471 people who turn up for their last home match (http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/stats/2004/1077330.html) will really have a difficult time picking which team to follow. :p
The Blitz are actually averaging 2789 people this year. In their most recent home match, the attendance reached 5245. If they have a hard core fan base that will still support them between 2000-2500 people they could run an operational A-League team. Maybe some of the attendance will drop off but if they work with the MLS SLC team and throw in some double headers, it could work to the advantage of both teams.
dysko
15 Jul 2004, 01:24 AM
Salt Lake City, UT – July 14, 2004 – The Utah Blitzz welcomes Major League Soccer and Dave Checketts to Salt Lake City with open arms. “As avid soccer fans, we are thrilled that the MLS believes in Utah as well,” John Garff, COO of the Ken Garff Automotive Group said. “We have all been interested in seeing a MLS team come to Utah because it would be such a great addition to our sports community. Dave Checketts is an experienced sports and business leader, and we are lucky to have him back in our community. Being devoted to both soccer and the people of Utah, we look forward to working with Dave Checketts.”
A key question is what will happen to the Utah Blitzz. The most likely scenario is that the Blitzz will move from the Division 3, Pro-Select League to the Division 2 A – United Soccer League. The A-League, which currently consists of 18 clubs, is one step shy of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the U.S., and is the top professional soccer league in Canada.
The Blitzz have been in active discussion with the USL Commissioner, David Askinas, and he also agrees that the time is right, “We are thrilled about the possibility of the Utah Blitzz moving to the A-League in part because of the possible synergies it can have for a soccer growing community when a MLS team exists in the market.”
“We are simply committed to the growth of soccer in Utah,” Chris Agnello said, Head Coach and Manager of the Utah Blitzz. “Moving to the A League shows how dedicated the Ken Garff Automotive Group and Eric Jacobsen are to soccer in Utah. The Blitzz is lucky to have great owners that not only bring great marketing capabilities and financial stability to our organization but are also committed to this community.”
A nice little press release from the Blitzz that I recieved today. I guess they missed the announcement that Dean Howes will be the man running the new MLS team. Dave I am sure will be involved, but at the press conference Dean was announced as the CEO of Utah MLS LLC.
Arelius
16 Jul 2004, 02:22 PM
The Blitz are actually averaging 2789 people this year. In their most recent home match, the attendance reached 5245. If they have a hard core fan base that will still support them between 2000-2500 people they could run an operational A-League team. Maybe some of the attendance will drop off but if they work with the MLS SLC team and throw in some double headers, it could work to the advantage of both teams.
Arelius
16 Jul 2004, 02:23 PM
The Blitz are actually averaging 2789 people this year. In their most recent home match, the attendance reached 5245. If they have a hard core fan base that will still support them between 2000-2500 people they could run an operational A-League team. Maybe some of the attendance will drop off but if they work with the MLS SLC team and throw in some double headers, it could work to the advantage of both teams.
What was the big draw this last game? Why did they get so many more people out?
ilvfutbol
16 Jul 2004, 02:50 PM
What was the big draw this last game? Why did they get so many more people out?
the blitzz played a majority of their home games at 2:30 on a Saturday. The last few home games where there average attendance went up to 3,000-5,000 was probably because the games were on a Friday night or Saturday night. The 2:30 games were hot and a lot of the supporters and fans have work or club/league games. If the Blitzz played their games Friday nights the attendance would always be around the 4,000 mark. Even when they played Portland at a 7:30 on a Wed the attendance was around 4,000