Support for Rochester team from Broader Upstate NY area

Which begs the question: why? Or why not?

While I feel fortunate to have Metro and MLS a subway-and-bus ride away
(soon to be shortened to a ride on the PATH), if I didn't have that I'd be making making my way to Brooklyn or LI to see the nearest available team -- and that's below A-League.

Within 5 years my wife and I expect to be in Florida -- and that means A-League at best. But from what I've seen on the FSW Friday night matches, the matches are worth watching.

If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.

 

I used to live in Binghamton and made a couple of Rhinos game. If they were in MLS I probably would have gotten to at least 3 or 4 per season

 

The Sam's Army guys from Buffalo would almost certainly get season tickets. I think people will be really surprised.

 

I'm from Liverpool (suburb of Syracuse) and would definitely switch my allegiances from the Salty Dogs to the Rhinos. There'd be no doubt I'd try to make as many matches as possible. People in the rest of the country underestimate the number of good soccer fans here.

Don't you guys think the Metros would lose fans if Rochester got a team? Would they fight it like the Orioles are fighting against a baseball team in DC? I know Rochester isn't glamorous, but let's put a team where the fans already exist.

 

I highly doubt it, I think New England is actually closer to the metrostars than Rochester is

 

Yeah, there is probably a good 7-hour difference between the cities. However, I could definitely see more people coming (I go to a lot of games, but I'm not getting season tix until they're in MLS), and I think Syracuse fans would come to see MLS action, whether they switched allegiances to Rochester or not. I go to games all the time when I'm in the DC area, despite hating the United.

 

How about the whole regionalizing a team, to include Buffalo,Syracuse,Albany,Binghamton by changing their name to the:

Upsate Rhinos FC

 

Here's the problem Upstate NY to someone from Lower Manhattan is the northside of the Bronx and up. Upstate to someone in Yonkers is north of Westchester. Upstate to someone from Rochester and Buffalo would almost definitely not include Binghamton. Western NY Rhinos people might pull for a little more. It aint gonna happen though. The Rochester Rhinos will become a regional team and people in Syracuse and Buffalo will show their support just like people in Rochester have Syracuse U and Buffalo Bills paraphanelia everywhere.

 

Those three cities seem to join together fairly well... if one has a major team the other two will join forces to create a fan base (i.e. Buffalo Bills, Syracuse University football/basketball, Buffalo Sabres).

 

And I'd say there's a 90% chance we get the team in '06... 100% if we finally get the damn stadium done.

I'm still pulling for relocation this year.

 

That's been my take on the situation. In contrast with the ambivalence for the Sounders expressed by Seattle fans, Rochester enjoys enormous support. It's really somethinig to see the matches from Pioneer on FSW. So, while the Sounders ponder rebranding as part of a move to MLS, it seems the Rhinos need to hold on to their identity. It may be that 25 to 50% of the team will be 'upgraded' -- but let's wait till we see some results from OC competition to get a better take on that. I'd like to think that most of the current roster can play at the next level, with a few key players to make the transition complete.

Your new stadium will be a beaut -- natural grass or turf.

 

1) To step up to MLS, Rochester needs to eliminate 5,000 fans per game. They may make MLS look bad getting 20k per game.

2) Upstate NY is not their fan base. Western NY is. For sports purpose that is west of Utica. I'm in Albany, 2hrs 10 min from Giants Stadium, 2hrs 30 min from Foxborough. West side of Rochester is 3hrs 30 min. from Capital Region. I would probably attend a couple of games a year, mainly because of friends and in-laws in Rochester area, but support from this end of the state would be negligable.

3) IMO,despite excellent support, my gut says I don't think MLS really wants to go to Rochester even though what they say is to the contrary. They may just have to remain, as Rochester does so well ,is the big fish in the little pond (see Amerks, Red Wings and indoor lacrosse).

 

I hope this part is a joke... Do you honestly think Rochester could average 20K? Hate to be poor acid rain on your parade, but that ain't gonna happen based on what I have seen and heard. I think 15K is possible, but Rochester isn't going to put anyone to shame.

If there is good reason to believe that Rochester can average 20K please enlighten me!

 

Yes it was a joke. The point is, Rochester currently outdraws most of the MLS on a regular basis (at least according to Bob Matthews). Hell, I would love to watch a game where there are 20,000 people there every week.

A new stadium and a step up in competition would provide a small bump to attendance. An MLS team in Rochester will not suddenly have people roadtripping from the likes of Horseheads and Fredonia/Dunkirk on a regular basis becuase the league logo on the ball has changed.

 

I think you'll be surprised.

It also depends on IF Rhinos can market themselves properly, there are A LOT of Rochester soccer connections everywhere in WNY. If the Rhinos get word out to the right people you'll find season ticket holders in Jamestown and Corning. When Buffalo had the indoor Blizzard a large contingent of their season ticket holders made the ride up the thruway from Rochester. You'll find plenty of people who already commute up and down the thruway, EVERYDAY, for work, willing to come up once a weekend for a chance to see the best soccer in America.

 

If your thinking applies to Seattle and the surrounding area, I agree.
If you're talking about west New York, I totally disagree.

 

I'd like to see Rhinos attendance numbers after a losing season.

 

I truly hope you should live so long.

In short, it ain't happenin' for a long time.

 

People totally underestimate the market of upstate/Western New York. I was at a Syracuse Salty Dogs game a few weeks ago with 7.000 other people. This team plays in a baseball stadium, that makes the game almost unwatchable. The field is way too short, and most of the seats are at an odd angle. The fans keep coming, though. Imagine if there was a great stadium nearby with top class soccer. We'd all go! During the summer in upstate/western New York there are no teams playing in a major sport. People are either watching Yankees games from afar, or praying for the Bills season to start. The Rhinos could have the market all to themselves.