Detroit Soccer Thread, Part III

When they find an investor and start to get the word out that MLS is coming to Detroit....the Detroit soccer community WILL rise up.

Take a look at Toronto....I was basing my skeptical opinion of expanding to Toronto on the fact that the Toronto Lynx didn't draw for crap. One of the lowest attendance outputs in the USL-1. I was surprised to see that they've sold OVER 10,000 season tickets and they haven't even kicked off yet!

I think we'll see a similar buzz in Detroit once things fall into place.

 

I hope you're right. But I think there are such bigger fish to fry in this market that those with deep pockets couldn't give a damn about funding a team here. It's just the reality of the situation. May is going to be here PDQ and I'd love nothing more than to see the Duggans succeed in this endeavour. But I'm struggling to see how that's going to happen.

 

I agree, but I'm sort of puzzled by the "May of this year" thing. Does that mean, if something doesn't happen by this May, we're doomed forever? Or, that there is a potential group in place, and they have imposed a deadline on themselves?

 

The one thing that I think is promising is that MLS seems to be successfully attaching these stadium plans to bad parts of a city. DC is going to build (as part of a larger development) in a traditionally bad part of DC. One of Philadelphia's sites for a potential stadium is also in a not-so-popular part of the city -- great LOCATION...just not that "great" of a part of town.

I could be wrong but I would think that the city of DET would have very little opposition to a group that wanted to assist in the development of the city and to add to Detroit's already impressive reputation as a one of america's best sports towns. That's just speculation on my part, but it seems to make sense to me.

 

The only thing giving me any hope is that the Ignition are actually being pretty well supported. They are averaging about 3000 people in a 3500 seat arena. Not bad for a expansion club. I'd say that we should start a writing campaign to the Ilitch's, but I have a feeling that he has his sights set on a new hockey arena. I don't think he has the time or money to get a MLS squad here. Maybe Karmanos would be willing to do it?

 

I agree, that's a good sign. However, in terms of writing the Ilitch family...or the Ford family....believe me, I'm SURE that the Duggans already thought of that. But I guess a few letters couldn't hurt.

 

As much as I want MLS in Detroit, I really would prefer if it was anyone but the Fords running it. Just look at what they have done to the Lions over the last 50+ years. I know an expansion team would be poor to start, but I would like to have some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

To add to that, I think I'd rather have someone who is excited about bringing soccer to Detroit...and not someone who had to be talked into it, or waited until David Beckham arrived to buy into it. You need people who are passionate about soccer (on some level), the Fords -- to me -- don't seem to meet that criteria or Detroit would have had a team already (especially after the success of the World Cup in Detroit)

 

Really? I guess I'm one of the few that thought they were rediculously overpriced. It's nice to know that Detroit's economy is treating some people well.

 

They are overpriced, even compared to the rest of the league. I think they have the highest prices. But every week they are reporting around 3000.

 

Semi-related, I always thought it was puzzling that when MLS was created, they did not incorporate markets that hosted games in the 94 World Cup. That World Cup was (and may still be) the most successful one of all time financially. The Silverdome had amazing crowds. If the issue is a field, could they not play where UDM plays? I'm sure there are a number of options, apart from Ford Field. It is unfortunate that Illitch ignored much needed repairs to The Corner for so many years (although I think it is common knowledge that this was by design so that the city would build Comerica), and as a result the unofficial proposal to retrofit Tiger Stadium into a soccer stadium never came to pass. The Corner is/was a sports mecca! The location is fantastic as well! No offense to Detroit here, but another benefit of the city is that the real estate is generally weak in the inner city and as a result there are plenty of locations where a stadium could be built, without going to the burbs like so many other markets have. I realize Toronto is an exception, howver that stadium is not being built for MLS; it is to be a national stadium for soccer and other events as well. Plus, considering the strong efforts that are being put forth to rejuvenate the core of Detroit, wouldn't this bring in even more consumers downtown? There is also tons of corporate money. I hope it would come to pass as Toronto and Detroit have had excellent rivalries over the years in hockey and baseball and to a lesser extent basketball and this could be one as well. Good luck guys!

 

That was an amazing year...

Semi-related... What about Windsor?

 

It's been a while since I posted my thoughts on these topics. Here's goes:

Oakland U is technically not valid for a PDL team: only bleacher seating (not quite at the 1,000 PDL minimum), and no lights. This is one more reason for a PDL team to be in a newer/refurbished complex like Stoney Creek or Berkley. (I even attended some W-League games in Livonia last year, also.) Also, the FeildTurf playing surface holds up year-round. (Last year, some Royal Oak Shrine football playoff games had to be moved to Berkely since the field was sopped.) http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/aboutusl/franchise/Min Standards.pdf Again, this is the letter-of-the-law specs; you can debate how well they need to be followed.

My guess is that OU went with a "bare bones" soccer field (I wouldn't even call that a "stadium") since they were waiting on what soccer in the state would look like in a few years. (For example, one rumor when the WUSA started was that OU would make a 9,000-seat stadium for a women's team.) The area it is in COULD be made "stadium-quality" if a need for a stadium comes up.

The Ignition continue to draw well. I'm at every game. Some are announced as sellouts, but you see empty seats (but not that many; definitely at least half-filled). One Friday night game (marketed to Michigan Youth Soccer teams) was definitely PACKED; could barely move in the place. If they could continue having a true 2,000 attendence each game, they'll do fine, and give a boost to at least having a USL-1/2 team here.

The USL seems to be competing with itself by having two pro divisions as well as a PDL and an expanding U-20 league (which is their upgraded U-18 youth division). I would almost want to see the pro entities get spun off to their own seperate league (not under the USL umbella), maybe implement single-entity ownership, and get it to a good 40+ squads. But you also have to wonder if the MLS Reserve division would eventually be the de-facto "second" division in the USA, and the USL pro leagues (or whatever form it ends up as) would be the "third."

In any rate, we could use some more pro squads in the Midwest: the count is 6: Fire, Crew, Wizards, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Cleveland.

Up to now I've avoided the "where to put a stadium" debate, but I think I'll draw up my list, in order of preference, soon.

 

The ignition are terribly overpriced, and I would venture to say that at least 90% of their reported attendance are free or discounted tickets to local youth soccer teams. I enjoy watching their games on TV but their tickets are more than at least half the seats at Comerica Park and more than even some Pistons tickets. I'd be hard pressed to spend $60 to bring my family to an MLS game with center pitch seats, I'm sure as hell not going to spend a penny over $5-$7 to watch an MISL team thats only slightly better than some of the players that I play against every week in rec league

 

2007 W-League Michigan Hawks Schedule

2007 W-League Master Schedule
Schedule subject to change
Day Date Away @ Home Time Venue

Friday May 18 Fort Wayne Fever @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Friday May 25 London Gryphons @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Wednesday May 30 Michigan Hawks @ Fort Wayne Fever 7:00 PM Hefner Stadium

Saturday June 9 Michigan Hawks @ Chicago Gaels 6:30 PM Lemont HS

Thursday June 14 West Michigan Firewomen @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Thursday June 21 Michigan Hawks @ West Michigan Firewomen 7:00 PM Jenison High School

Thursday June 28 London Gryphons @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Thursday July 5 Michigan Hawks @ Cleveland Internationals TBD TBD

Friday July 13 Cleveland Internationals @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Sunday July 15 Michigan Hawks @ London Gryphons 4:00 PM North London Stadium

Saturday July 21 Minnesota Lightning @ Michigan Hawks 7:00 PM Livonia Stevenson

Sunday July 22 Michigan Hawks @ London Gryphons 4:00 PM North London Stadium

 

2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

2007 Premier Development League Master Schedule
Schedule subject to change
Day Date Away @ Home Time Venue

Wednesday May 16 Michigan Bucks @ West Michigan Edge 7:00 PM Forest Hills Central

Friday May 18 Cleveland Internationals @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Saturday May 26 Chicago Fire Premier @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Monday May 28 Michigan Bucks @ Indiana Invaders 7:30 PM Indiana Invaders Soccer Complex

Friday June 1 West Michigan Edge @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Sunday June 3 Michigan Bucks @ Toronto Lynx 6:00 PM Centennial Stadium

Friday June 8 Michigan Bucks @ Cleveland Internationals 8:00 PM St. Edwards High School

Friday June 15 Toronto Lynx @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Wednesday June 20 Michigan Bucks @ West Michigan Edge 7:00 PM Forest Hills Central

Saturday June 23 Indiana Invaders @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Thursday July 5 Michigan Bucks @ Chicago Fire Premier 7:00 PM Toyota Park

Saturday July 7 Michigan Bucks @ Cleveland Internationals 7:00 PM St. Edwards High School

Saturday July 14 West Michigan Edge @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Tuesday July 17 Fort Wayne Fever @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Friday July 20 Toronto Lynx @ Michigan Bucks 7:00 PM Berkley - Hurley Field

Sunday July 22 Michigan Bucks @ Fort Wayne Fever 6:00 PM Hefner Stadium

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

Looks like the Bucks are going to have to go through Indiana (again) to qualify for the Open Cup. I expect another classic...

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

I wonder why they moved back to Hurley Field? Did anyone hear anything. I'm happy because it is a much easier venue for me to get to, I just hope it was the best thing for the club.

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

I'm THRILLED about the return to Hurley Field (I overlooked that)....

 

I like the idea of the Bucks going back to Hurley Field. The only problem I have with that is that it's just a bit more of a drive for me.

It's a better field, it's more centrally located, and easier to get to.

Now if only the papers can provide a little more coverage this year...

Maybe we can get Chris Lau on it, he did a pretty good job last year between the USOC, the Crew visits, and the playoffs.
E-mail him

 

Back to Hurley and sneaking in a sixer before the game. Yes!

 

JO-ANN BARNAS @ jbarnas@freepress.com has done some soccer articles in the past as well.

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

COMPLETELY agree! I can't wait!

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

Jesus, could this be happening? Something we're all happy about?

 

Re: 2007 Premier Development League Michigan Bucks Schedule

Central location...close to the highway...good seating capacity....good press box ...fieldturf keeps things fresh...although I could do without the gridiron lines, but I'll take 'em in exchange for all the positives listed above.