Uh, no we shouldn't. The Japanese travelling fans have an excellent reputation & the last thing we need is to start trouble over rumors of a couple of idiots.
Alright, whatever. Say what you want about AEG, I'm totally in agreement. But tell me there's no possible way the fan base couldn't have turned out anything close to the numbers at last night's game on a regular basis for Earthquakes games, and I'll stop talking on this.
I wonder what the fans watching in Japan thought of this banner? Do they know the name of the San Jose franchise?
Most Japanese in Japan don't know of MLS. The banner was by a group of local Japanese Earthquakes fans for other Japanese soccer fans in the Bay Area, which there are many as you saw, but which AEG never cared for.
Great job, Guy and company. Sam's section was great. My first with the Sammers and I brought my son and his wife. They had a blast too. Thanks for the streamers. The pregame at 21-A was awesome atmosphere. THANKS, bay area soccer fans.
Look at the Giants attendance before SBC Park was built and after SBC Park was built. The team had good seasons at the Stick as well as SBC. It shows a nice stadium can make a difference. And I can guess that a soccer stadium in San Jose will not charge $25 for parking and $7.75 for a beer, (and Budweiser at that!). And I saw a great number of fans wearing Quakes gear, so I would guess most came from outside of SF.
I figured that! However, a banner in Japanese supporting the return of the earthquakes must seem odd to viewers in Japan! Who would want earthquakes to come back?
I just can't believe a Metrostars fan is talking attendance smack. You have the largest market in the country and only drew 2,000 more a game than the Quakes. Your average was boosted by the 50,000+ DH with England. Another good reason to stop talking.
And you would be wrong. I never buy beer at a stadium, but I know that they're hella expensive at HDC. At PHP, I believe that it's a lil' better, but HDC is priced out of a lot of ppl's range.
This isn't about trading insults. I agree with everyone here, AEG sees the New York market and the Bay Area market quite differently. Low attendance figures in one market are offset by factors that the other market doesn't have. The issue is not comparing any two markets, it's about everyone involved - the owners and the fan base - doing what's necessary to ensure viability. That's why most MLS clubs aren't going anywhere and SJ went to Houston.
I'll play devil's advocate and say yes on that. Based on all those factors, put a SSS near the ballpark and you might have a jewel of MLS that could rival HDC. After last night--shows it all. Reminds me of the bustle that happens before a Giants game. The bars and restaurants were literally packed. Based on that, I could favour San Francisco. It does make me wonder if any of those pubs around the ballpark area had the game on espn2. Now, if only the mayor of that city and the Board of Supervisors can get their act together... ----- Next to the Brazilians, the Japanese fans were the most fervent. Good to see them fly over or come out to support their team.
Excellent post. The sheer amount of information that ordinary fans had to uncover on their own (or with the help of Mr. Moore) and the contacts they needed to establish throughout that process ... still remarkable. No help from AEG and no help from MLS. All AEG did was shout year after year, "We're leaving!"
My original point is starting this thread was that a helll of a lot of US fans showed up at this meaningless friendly. Regardless of whether that # was 25k or 30k of the 37k in attendance, the point holds true. Name another city that would have driven bigger American support for such a meaningless match?
No, but SP train runs next, during world cup I used the train was super.Also I took BART to USA-Japan game in frisco it was ok, good conections. Behind baseball stadium in SF there is room for soccer stadium.
I'm convinced that if they were to build an SSS there, it would be the best stadium experience in MLS. The bars would be hopping, b4 and after the games. The thought of not needing a designated driver and getting to the game in a predictable manner... sweet. But they would have to coordinate w/ the Giants. You just couldn't have 2 games and 60K in that compact of an area. Friday night games? Hells yeah!!
SBC park can also be reached by Cal Train. There is a station just a few blocks away. I agree that a location next to SBC park would be awesome. The biggest problem is that SF's Mayor Newsome won't even help the 49ers build a new stadium. However, I'd propose a small stadium like the Europeans have (30K max). Plus, the stadium should be bowl or rectangular to make it loud like "The Swamp" at the University of Florida. The game last Friday and all other Giants games seem "quiet" because of SBC park's design.