Gridiron lines

Discussion in 'Chicago Fire' started by Fanaddict, Sep 2, 2007.

  1. Fanaddict

    Fanaddict Member+

    Mar 9, 2000
    streamwood IL USA
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bad enough in nY they didn't cover up the gridiron lines but now I'm watching a game at columbus in a SSS with gridiron lines. Very annoying.
     
  2. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    Perhaps we as soccer fans shouldn't be as naive to expect a true SSS in a multi-sport culture such as the USA.
     
  3. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Yet the ground staff at TP covered up the soccer lines very well for last week's rugby match (sure they were only painted over in green but it worked).
     
  4. Super Sting

    Super Sting Member

    Jan 27, 2006
    Goes to show the power of Beckhamania. They painted over the football lines for his NY game and there was a NFL game there a few days later.
     
  5. NebraskaAddick

    Aug 26, 2005
    Omaha, NE
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I saw highlights of a Bundesliga game last year with gridiron lines clearly visible. Maybe it was because of NFL Europe games being played on the same surface.
     
  6. firefan96

    firefan96 New Member

    Sep 13, 2006
    Won't have to worry about that anymore. I believe NFL Europe has folded or is going to.
     
  7. Thebizkit

    Thebizkit New Member

    Sep 6, 2006
    Even Wembley Stadium will have Gridiron Lines come October 28th when the Miami Dolphins play against the NY Giants (Terrible game I may add). Tickets are selling out fast, could only Imagine how much faster it would have been if it was a great game, Imagine if they where hosting the Bears vs Cowboys game!
     
  8. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Wembley did host the Bears vs Cowboys, preseason 1986. I went to another preseason at Wembley between Eagles and Browns in 1989. Apparently they could have sold Wembley out 3 times over. Eagles cheerleaders ended up being the most exciting part of the game.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bowl
     
  9. Thebizkit

    Thebizkit New Member

    Sep 6, 2006
    Well the Bears vs Cowboys game was held in the old Wembley stadium that only held 82,000. I can only Imagine what kind of crowd would an official regular season game between the Bears and Cowboys would draw at the NEW Wembley. Still cant believe Mexico holds the attendance record for an NFL game, I dont think there is any venue in the US outside of race tracks that can top 112,000.
     
  10. IJS

    IJS Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Naperville
    Club:
    Yeovil Town FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Used to hold 100,000 back in the day but then you had to wear a cloth cap to get in. I saw a number of games when they was no seats on the terracing behind the goals. England vs Brazil was great as was Everton vs Man Utd Charity sheild. Of course the best was being on the field for a U2 concet. Like to see new Wembley one day though, Yeovil have already played there, sadly lost but they did beat Forest in the semis!!!

    Now 112,000 at a NFL would be a sight although likely not as good as a Mexico game with that kind of crowd. Are they still allowed that many?
     
  11. Thebizkit

    Thebizkit New Member

    Sep 6, 2006
    Sounds amazing.

    Estadio Azteca back in the 80's would hold up to 131,000!! But not it holds up to 114,000 which is still amazing. Only stadium that could come close to that in the US that isnt Racing specific is Michigan Stadium which holds about 10,000 fewer, No doubt a Bears vs Packers game would fill up that baby.
     
  12. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    Again, you with the Beckham crap. Look, the guy drew 66K to Giants Stadium. For a crowd like that, they'll paint the field morning, noon and night.
     
  13. kebzach

    kebzach Member

    Dec 30, 2000
    Greenfield, WI
    It did.
     
  14. ryebreadraz

    ryebreadraz Member

    Apr 18, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Michigan Stadium, Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Neyland Stadium (Tennessee) and Ohio Stadium (Ohio State) all hold 100,000+ with Michigan Stadium and Beaver Stadium right around 107,000. Michigan Stadium will be expanding soon to nearly 109,000. There is also a rumor that Tennessee wants the title of largest stadium back and may be considering an expansion that will have Neyland sit 115,000.
     
  15. Thebizkit

    Thebizkit New Member

    Sep 6, 2006
    Jebus, 115,000 to see the Vols?
     
  16. someguyinasuit

    someguyinasuit New Member

    Mar 19, 2007
    Was in Seattle a week ago and caught of Sounders game. The field was fully marked with gridiron markings. Seahawks played the night before. I have been used to seeing the markings since the Sting days and they never really distracted me. I will say that I got used to just soccer markings at TP (except for the lacrosse markings but they were not that bad) and seeing a game played live with gridiron markings just did not seen right but it is something that we have to deal with in the US.

    John
     
  17. Super Sting

    Super Sting Member

    Jan 27, 2006
    Believe me if Beckham wasn't there and they sold 70K they wouldn't paint over the lines. Actually I thought it was great that they painted over the lines in honor of Beckham.


    Beckham Fever, Catch It!
     
  18. karlheinz

    karlheinz New Member

    Sep 15, 2000
    Germany
    I don't want to catch Beckman fever. If I do, I'll break my ankle!!!
     
  19. bjgcheese

    bjgcheese Member

    May 25, 2007
    From Soccer America:
    Toyota Park has hosted concerts, an exhibition rugby match between the USA and Irish club Munster that drew about 8,000 fans in July and a wedding. Officials are discussing hosting high school football and are planning six to eight concerts a year in addition to soccer games and other events.

    Hosting high school football games at TP! This is not what I was hoping for from new owners.
     
  20. SoFo

    SoFo Member

    May 19, 2007
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Don't forget the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. -- site of the 1994 World Cup final -- which holds over 100,000. The Los Angeles Coliseum, depending on how it is configured, is just under 100,000.
     
  21. SoFo

    SoFo Member

    May 19, 2007
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If they have high school football games there, I hope they are playoff games -- after the soccer season is over.

    I was at the U.S.-Brazil game on Sunday, north end zone, about 10 rows from the top of the stadium. There had been a college football game there the night before, but from the end zone, the football markings were not visible, though the grass looked rough.
    When I saw TV replays from a sideline vantage point, you could see the football lines. It looked like they painted over them with green paint, but the grass wasn't green enough to match the paint!
     
  22. Falc

    Falc Member+

    Jul 29, 2006
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Well, I was involved in a debate last night where a Dallas fan was insisting that the soccer specific meant soccer first. Not sure how you define specific but it seems like you had the impression that the stadiums would be used for soccer primarily, especially during the MLS season. Correct me if I am wrong. I and another poster call SSS a misnomer and that it actually means $$$. In other words, the stadium is owned and controlled by an MLS club, allowing it to increase its revenues. The whole SSS thing is a marketing ploy (my opinion) to convince fans that the investment is being made for them. I have no problem with MLS owners making full use of revenue opportunities with their grounds. But just call them damn stadiums and quit the lie.
     
  23. Super Sting

    Super Sting Member

    Jan 27, 2006
    You know what is funny is that for years people were bitching about not having soccer specific stadiums and how horrendous it was for soccer to be played on football or baseball pitches.

    Actually, I would rather have the Fire playing at SF than TP. I mean if we start getting lacross lines and HS football lines, what is the point of a SSS.

    I used to enjoy going to Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, and the Stadium to watch soccer. Because those were all great stadiums. As lame as it was to sit behind a steel girder in Comiskey or a concrete support in the stadium at least those stadiums had ambience, something which the sterile TP lacks.

    People have to realize that the boon in SSS was meant to create more revenue to build the MLS Death Star and for AEG to have leverage with their concert promotions.
     
  24. Falc

    Falc Member+

    Jul 29, 2006
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Be careful, such blasphemy can earn you a neg rep, like it did me last night. The funny thing is that I was just pointing out that these venues have a multiple use and suddenly, I was labeled as anti-MLS, anti-SSS, that I do not understand the economic needs of the clubs, etc.

    I am with you in regards to old stadiums and their ambiance. I have been attending soccer matches at RFK since I was a little kid. Saw Pele when he was with the Santos play against the Washington Whips. I probably was 6, maybe 7, so I don't remember anything about Pele or the game. But I do remember being in the crowd. Saw Pele later with the Cosmos and the rest of the gang against the Diplomats. I had my summer with Cruyff. US Nats, WC and then the MLS. A lot of fond memories about RFK. Never had a bad seat. And they were actually seats, not bleachers. We have a great atmosphere at DC United games and the stadium is a big part of it. So not all old things are bad. But I understand the need for the team to be able to control concessions and parking.

    At least I am not alone in thinking that SSS is one thing for the league and completely interpreted differently for at least some fans.
     
  25. Super Sting

    Super Sting Member

    Jan 27, 2006
    I am not afraid of negative rep, I always have some tool giving me some. But for each of those there is also a level headed person like yourself that will give me pos so it all balances out. Most of the MLSAZIS are Johnny come latelys to soccer and or sports fans and feel threatened by anyone with soccer knowledge prior to 1996. The good thing is that MLS is starting to realize their shortcomings at least as far as on field talent. I think MLS will continue to get better as they continue to open their purse strings. And in a few years we will reach the level of talent and excitement that the NASL had in its heyday.
     

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