https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...enue-september-23-home-game-vs-houston-dynamo So this was announced a few hours ago, I thought it was enough to warrant its own topic. The TL;DR is that NYC had to find a different place to play their game against Houston because of a Yankees rain out make-up set on that date. That place is Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut- 100 miles North East of the Big Apple. This is obviously a pretty awkward situation as far as optics go for the team that prides itself on being the true soccer team of the five boroughs. It is also a necessary evil of being the second tenant in the modern and ideally located but less than ideal for soccer Yankee Stadium. One wonders if this was always plan B or if they had another venue in mind and this was the only one that could accommodate them on such short notice. Its worth noting that Citi Field is booked that night and RBA (which is less than 10 miles from the city) is not. Either way, this looks bad for the team and for the league that let them in despite their stadium issues especially when they're requiring more stringent soccer specific stadium requirements or accommodations for other expansion teams. Thoughts?
Not pleased with this, as the Rent is closer to Foxboro than the Bronx, but was prepared for this day. Hopefully this is a one-time thing, and future matches can either be rescheduled or played at Citi Fields, MetLife, or something closer.
Not using to RBA seems especially odd. That seems like a more reasonable place to go on short notice; it's closer and actually designed for the sport.
I feel for some of the fans that have to travel +100 miles for a "home" game. But puzzled by what some of this team's fans really thought was going to happen given their stadium situation. Getting a stadium/arena done in and around NYC is darn near impossible - there's a big time supply (i.e. There's literally no space). It's only year 3, but at some point the team and league have to move on as something in NYC proper becomes extremely remote. It's not the end of the world to play in Yonkers/Westchester or LI. Playing "home" games away from the baseball stadium will be more common going forward. Good luck.
There's a pride angle here. Using RBA would admit that the red team had the right idea when it comes to stadium space in the NYC metro, at least in their minds. They have always hated the idea of sharing RBA, and they're afraid even one successful relocated game will result in a push for permanent relocation. A 118 mile away "home" game that is already alienating the fan base a month before kickoff is apparently a preferable solution.
What about colleges: Columbia, St. John's, LIU, Wagner? Even Hofstra. It's hard to believe that none of these options were available.
What about MetLife Stadium? Edit: Giants play on the 18th and Jets play on the 24th, I guess it would have been difficult to schedule three games in a week and there would be football lines if they were able to squeeze the game.
I know for some at least two of those schools would never allow this during the academic year. Maybe all of them. Hofstra's relationship with the Cosmos appeared to have deteriorated, especially with the USOC match against NYCFC. Jets play at MetLife that weekend.
The team has a lot of fans in CT and I think they simply decided that this was the "best" worst choice they had. They wouldn't play in NJ and I think Citifield was a no-go due to Wilpon/Mets, so off to where you have a considerable amount of fans outside the city. It's terrible for fans in the 5 boroughs but I'd wager the attendance will still be more then the best attended RB game this season.
Really!? You think there will be more than 25k there? Hate to do this on this thread, but this is just another proof of NYCFC fandom and delusion going hand in hand. If they spend tons of time and money marketing this game as the only MLS game ever in CT, then maybe, but to wager on this now ...
No delusion, you just answered why they'll get over 25k, how many MLS games are played in CT? The team has a month and unlike the other NY area team they actually market the team so, yeah I think they'll get over 25k.
Columbia is a no go IMO. The locals wouldn't allow it due to the crowds. I would hope this is used as motivation to move things along on the stadium front since honestly its embarrassing and any stick they've get forthis is deserved.
I didn't read anything about about that Fox and if its true then you're probably right but I do think they can get more than that for a one off game.
Thread title is deceiving. For a second I thought they switched the venue to Houston and the Ct stood for central time.
Can the revolution force a forfeit for encroaching upon their territory? Now that would be hilarious...
Why? Stadium capacity is 40,642, at least it's grass and a regular size field (75 x 120). https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=e...d=0ahUKEwiq0pD95-zVAhVBeSYKHdVPCRUQoioIkgEwDw
They could open up more if demand is there, but i'm assuming the lower levels must be in the 20k range. We typically barely draw that for a regular home game so the typical fans won't fill those seats. The crowd size will be largely determined by how much hype they can create locally for the Historic First Ever MLS Match in CT. Will they spend the money needed to create strong local demand? As a western MA supporter, i'm thrilled about this, and hope the fans can just suck it up roll with this. It's a rather unique event, and one that people who attend will always remember. The club is offering $10 round trip busses from several pub partners in the City.
Then they wouldn't be NYCFC. Wasn't that the whole point of their team in the first place - to give fans in NYC a team of their own in NYC? Over 4 years later and they still don't have any plans to build in NYC. Garber took the $$$ back then but this organization will continue to make the league look a joke due to their stadium situation. This is 2017 folks not 1996. Teams need to be in their own stadiums.