Not on the field, but off of it. What do you think the average attendance will be? Over or under 2500? Will we pull a Sacramento or OKC and be successful in our first year, or a Dayton and be utterly terrible? Go
I think we'll be over 2000, but not too much more? We had a 1800 league average at home in PDL this last year and it was a pretty big rise from the previous season's attendance, but we were coming off a national championship and were in a World Cup year. Obviously it depends on the level of marketing, but I think we'll do over 2000, but 2500+ would be a reasonably large ask. The old pro team did a bit over 3000, but those numbers were pretty badly inflated, where I don't think the current Aztex teams gives away nearly as many tickets.
Personally, I think that we will be in a OKC Energy FC situation with around 3000-4000 a game. I guess I am just more optimistic than you. If we market well enough, there should be no reason why we are not over 3000 a game.
I predict an average in the 3000s. I think the Aztex are finally getting to be pretty well-known around town, based on a couple of interactions I've had lately. I also want to make a run in the USOC. But as much of a perennial USOC-booster as I am, I think our first priority in our first season in USL Pro should be playoffs. And I predict we make it.
I hope they do well, but my guess is similar to last year, maybe a little more. 2000-ish. Really, not much has changed except a longer season and higher expenses. The fans won't know the opposing teams, the same high school stadium, same beer restrictions, same marketing team. Also, the team might actually not be as good as in the past. There will be no Mannehs, Powers'es, Tyrpaks on a USL side. That's the pessimistic view. The optimistic outlook ... this Front Office knows what they're doing and are building an authentic football club that will resonate with Austinites and true football supporters. Dalglish is a first-class coach and will build a solid and attractive side that wins. If on and off the field they get everything right, they might push 3000 this year and build for the future.
For some reason, I think a big indicator of our attendance will be if we either get a new stadium or announce plans for one. I feel like more soccer fans in Austin will take us seriously if we do that. However, I am perfectly fine with House Park for now, it is a great atmosphere with great location.
I agree with some of that, but some not as much. Regarding beer restrictions, I think the beer garden thing that was wedged into the corner of the stadium for the last couple of home games this year is a significant step forward. And as for marketing, I don't know any front office details, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the new investors (the COTA guys) don't push/fund better efforts there. Not to pin too much on the beer garden, again, but all I know is we heard "no beer at high school stadiums, no way, no how, never ever ever" for years… and then those guys joined on, and suddenly we're drinking cold Fireman's at (the edge of) House Park. Maybe coincidence, I honestly don't know, but maybe they're going to push other areas to the next level, too. As for players, the stories of local, high-school kids that come through the Aztex program and go on to success in MLS, those are great. They make a good angle for news coverage, and die-hard fans like us eat that up. But I suspect those finer points matter about as much to most fans as where the opposing teams are from. That is, not that much. As long as there are good players, recognizable stars to root for and lead the team to victory, I'd bet that's just as good to most fans, whether or not those stars are from Westlake.