10,439 announced attendance in Chicago last night. It was very windy and cold. On the plus side, the concession lines were very short.
One thing about some of the early SSS is there is not much cover. Almost none at Crew Stadium. Only a couple standing areas. And metal bleachers to boot. Chicago is almost as bad. When the weather is bad, you are exposed.
Doesn't help the Fire have been kind of snakebitten by weather this season. Thursday night it was actually a really nice evening. Last weekend was beautiful, but they were away. Every so often they get a year like this in the spring that's awful even by our wonderful Midwestern standards. I think it was the 2012 or 2013(?) season where it rained for like the first four home games despite near perfect weather every other day of the week. Though Friday night games are a tough go even by the most optimistic assessment of Bridgeview.
Friday evening traffic in the Chicagoland area is extremely rough. I work in the western suburbs so the drive to Bridgeview wasn't too bad. Luckily my seats are in the upper deck which is sheltered. They are the cheapest seats in the house, and also the ones most protected by the elements. No worries when it rains or snows. Rather ironic that the most expensive seats have to deal with the elements.
Best view of the game too, IMO. I'm in the western and southern burbs too, but the only way I can make most weeknight games is to bring a change of clothes and come straight from work (and if I'm bringing my wife it basically means I need to have her ride out to the Forest Park transit center and have me swing out of the way to pick her up there).
Wait, this is Montreal's home opener? And we play five of the first seven at home in Chicago? Were they doing work on Stade Saputo?
From what I just read they were allowed a late start this season as the Olympic Stadium is closed and they don't have understood heating. They've been told they need to be ready to play at home next March. Today's match is doubtful.
Houston is another disappointing market. They used to rock back in the Robertson says. It feels like the newer stadium is always mostly empty. It’s downtown isn’t it? What’s the deal in Houston? Pretty decent team this year at least.
Ownership and management doing their best to run folk off. It's impressive in their effectiveness considering on the field in effectiveness
...who couldnt or wouldnt kick away the dead weight known as GoldenBoy and said majority owner is pretty poor (relatively speaking)
25% but any extra spending has to be approved by all owners and he demands an instant ROI, killing almost all projects. And from todays game: "Knew the Dynamo would find a way to mess up the 713 plan through execution: "So the game is delayed for upwards of 30 minutes now with no word on when the delay will end. Signs around the stadium say the 3 dollar beer promo will end at the 75th minute OF THE GAME. What do these clowns do? They pull the signs and end the promo during the rain delay. **** you Dynamo front office. The game has not restarted you dim clowns. Bait and switch is what this is. We sit on the concourse waiting for the delay to end and now you **** us on the beer prices as a reward for sticking around? *** you. Shit like is why I am done as a season ticket holder." From a ticked off fan.
Just watched the New England v. Atlanta game on the computer. I haven't seen the attendance number, but it looked like a "pretty good crowd for a Saturday." EDIT: Attendance in New England was 15016.
There are lots of stadiums that give off a Latin American vibe in MLS. This one gives off a distinctly European one. Also the number of people actually in their seats is amazing. Even Portland doesn't quite match it imo.