University of Phoenix Stadium Here's a soccer game at the stadium MNT vs. Mexico: Highlights - April 2, 2014 Grass Surface Air Conditioning MLS has gained a lot of popularity recently. Large population base. Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With 1,626,078 people (as of 2017), Phoenix is the fifth most populous city nationwide, the most populous state capital in the United States, and the only state capital with a population of more than one million residents. Phoenix is the anchor of the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is a part of the Salt River Valley. The metropolitan area is the 12th largest by population in the United States, with approximately 4.73 million people as of 2017. Natural Grass is an advantage that Atlanta, Seattle doesn't have. The stadium is adjacent to the Gila River Arena and it features the first fully retractable natural grass playing surface built in the United States on top of an AirField Systems drainage system. An opening on one side of the stadium allows the playing field to move to the exterior of the building, allowing the entire natural turf playing surface to be exposed to daylight and also allowing the floor of the stadium to be used for any other purpose (such as seating for concerts or to accommodate motorsports events) without damaging the turf.
Nope. I put the youtube video there to show people what a soccer look like at that stadium. Reasons why Phoenix MLS in that stadium could average 40,000+ 1) MLS is now a lot more popular than 10 years ago. At least the perception is. For example, MLS isn't as look down by Mexican-American compare to 10 years ago. They know that MLS is on the up and up. 2) Quality of Play has improved due to Targeted Allocation Money 3) Smart marketing. Learn from Seattle, Atlanta to make a good atmosphere. Work with the supporters sections etc... 4) Large population base. Phoenix metro has 4.73 million people. With 1,626,078 people (as of 2017), Phoenix is the fifth most populous city nationwide. 5) Grass surface (might help a little with attendance) 6) Designated Players....get a famous player or two will help Phoenix MLS with marketing in the first season. The grass surface will help somewhat with recruitment of a famous DP. Basically, if Atlanta can do it well....why not Phoenix....so I think Phoenix MLS has a chance at 40,000+
Yeah, maybe. They'll need to have a ownership group ala Atlanta and Seattle (Is there anybody like that in the Phoenix area?), oh I hope that Drogba is involved.
The Cowboys stadium had 81 k spectators at the 2013 Gold Cup semifinals, and 45 k in the 2017 semifinals. However, FC Dallas attracts a small fraction of that.
The two best attended teams have artificial surfaces, therefore having a grass surface might help attendance. 5 of the top 10 drawing teams have artificial surfaces, therefore having a grass surface might help attendance. Teams with artificial surfaces have a (significantly) higher average attendance than teams with grass surface, therefore having a grass surface might help attendance. Having evidence to support your hypothesis: priceless.
Could Phoenix MLS be another Atlanta, Seattle? (40,000+ attendance)? Sure, they could. Will, they? No, since they are not in MLS and, well, it is Phoenix.
Could that have more to due with them playing in Frisco instead of the in the Dallas city limits like they were back when they played in the Cotton Bowl?
The Cowboys stadium is not within the Dallas city limits either. Lots of factors involved in FC Dallas attendance.
Thou doest protest too much. There is a delicious irony that the clubs representing the "more authentic than thou" part of the country must play on artificial turf. Maybe plastic is the new natural. If Seattle played on natural grass their supporters would ridicule any other club playing on artificial turf.
True but Arlington is only 25 minutes outside of Dallas while Frisco is 36. Eleven minutes may not be much but when you factor in traffic it’s a big difference.
Ad hominem, straw man and lacking any reasoned thought. Do the two best attended teams play on artificial turf? Yes or no? Do 5 of the 10 best attended teams play on artificial turf? Yes or no? Do teams that play on artificial turf have a (significantly) higher attendance? Yes or no? If the answers are yes, then the argument presented in the opening post that grass will help attendance holds no merit.