Good post. But in point of fact there were 12 teams in 2000, not 10. Contraction happened after 2001. MLS in 2000: 12 teams, 1 SSS (Columbus). MLS in 2019: 24 teams, 19 SSS (counting Bridgeview). In 2020, 26 teams, 19 SSS + 1 under construction (Nashville, gain Miami & lose Chicago). The no's currently are: NE, Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle, NYC, Atlanta.
And of course Vancouver, Seattle and Atlanta are all in good non-SSS situations that there’s little need to get out of should they choose not to. Chicago long term want to return to a better SSS and are working in that direction. NE and particularly NYCFC are the only real concerning situations IMO. One for historical struggles in Foxboro, and one for just a shit situation for both fans and teams in a stadium ill suited for anything but baseball.
NE is not in a bad situation. Their owner controls the stadium and revenue. No different than Atlanta. NE was one of the first teams to make a profit because of said stadium situation.
And at one point led the league with healthy attendance in that stadium situation (well it might have been the prior NE stadium in Foxboro)
Plus, those three non-SSS were designed to take soccer's requirements into account: as a potential WC host in Seattle's case; because Blank had always wanted a soccer team in Atlanta if he could get the numbers to stack up; Vancouver because the BC Place renovation started with an MLS expansion team announced and ready to move in
If NER weren't neglected by their ownership they could be a Seattle/Atlanta-ish supported team. I think they could be a solid 30-45k attendance team.
So you don't think being strategically situated between Mass. Audobon's Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest is "urban" enough?
Season ticket holder for Atlanta, and my trip is 90 mins one way. Just sayin'. I know when I get there, though, the fan experience top rate.
I'm merely saying if the product is worthwhile the fans will travel. How many fans traveled hours to see their favorite college team yesterday? How many people do the same to see the Pats, Chiefs, etc.? If the team has built the rapport with the fans and make the gameday experience a good one fans will respond.
37722 in Seattle, so no bumper crowd. Still, this is a far cry from the usual panic inducing sub 10k crowds we tend to see in the opening round.
Post season attendances are more accurate than regular season as there aren't the same number of no shows. People who have paid for their tickets generally turn up.
Attendance for this ballgame at @BMOField Toronto: 25,331 (per credit from @AronPapernick) #TORvDC #TORDC #DCU #TFCLive #MLSCupPlayoffs #MLSCup https://t.co/y5NKSyYJ6K
Setting kickoff at the same time as the Washington-Oregon rivalry game across town was probably not the strongest move.