MLS needs San Francisco Club

Discussion in 'MLS: Clubs' started by SFEarthquakes, Dec 10, 2007.

  1. SFEarthquakes

    SFEarthquakes Member

    Dec 30, 2005
    I love the San Jose Earthquakes and am very happy to see them return to MLS; however, I would be even happier to see a team in San Francisco.

    What do you think?


    Mod's please feel free to move this thread to expansion if that is more appropriate
     
  2. SFEarthquakes

    SFEarthquakes Member

    Dec 30, 2005
    OK, Here's why.

    There are approximately two million folks in San Francisco and the North Bay for whom San Jose is quite hard to get to on a regular basis.

    There is a fantastic youth soccer tradition in Santa Rosa, Napa, Marin and San Francisco.

    San Francisco is the Heart of the Region.

    San Francisco is a world class city with a diverse and international population.

    There would be an instant rivalry with San Jose and Los Angeles.

    And most importantly,

    I live in the North bay.
     
  3. UCLAGALAXY

    UCLAGALAXY New Member

    Feb 26, 2007
    Santa Barbara & LA
    I couldn't agree more, SJ definitely isn't easy to get for many in the bay area. I think a team doesn't necessarily need to be in SF, the East Bay would work fine, too. It is my dream to one day put a team there and call it BAY AREA, to rep the whole bay.

    A boy can dream...
     
  4. TFCMANU

    TFCMANU Member

    Apr 19, 2007
    Parkdale/Newmarket
    Club:
    Toronto FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Problems for SF MLS franchise:

    - Does San Francisco have an owner with deep pockets.
    - Soccer Specific Stadium
    - Galaxy, Earthquakes, Chivas maybe in the way of SF getting franchise
    - MLS would probably want a team in San Diego before SF because of proximity to SJ. ( How far is SF to SJ?)

    Those are some of my points.. if it works getting a team in SF I'm all for it.

    GOOD LUCK :D
     
  5. SFEarthquakes

    SFEarthquakes Member

    Dec 30, 2005
    $7.2 billion -- Sergey Brin · Google
    $7.2 billion -- Larry Page · Google
    $2.4 billion -- Riley Bechtel · Bechtel Corp
    $2.4 billion -- Stephen Bechtel Jr. · Bechtel Corp
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    $1.9 billion -- William Hearst III · Hearst Corp
    $1.8 billion -- Phoebe Hearst Cooke · Hearst Corp
    $1.8 billion -- Ming Hsieh · Cogent Systems
    $1.7 billion -- John J. Fisher · Gap
    $1.7 billion -- Robert Fisher · Gap
    $1.5 billion -- Ray Dolby · Dolby Laboratories
    $1.5 billion -- John Pritzker · Hyatt hotels
    $1.3 billion -- Donald Fisher · Gap
    $1.3 billion -- Doris Fisher · Gap
    $1.3 billion -- Robert Naify · United Artists
    $1.2 billion -- William Fisher · Gap
    $1.1 billion -- Bernard Osher · Golden West Financial
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    $1.0 billion -- Arthur Rock · venture capital

    -"Revenue Controlled stadium" Could be built in the 3rd street coridor. Could also be the primary anchor for a rebuilt candlestick after the 49ers move out. Newsome wants to redevelop that land. The SSS-RCS could be part of that.
    -I think the only real impedement is that the Earthquakes have rights to the whole bay area. Does it expire at some point or can it be changed?
    -Teams in SD and SF are complementary, not exclusive
    San Francisco is about 50 miles north of San Jose. Santa Rosa is another 50 miles north.
    Oakland is fine and works well for access from the soccer crazy Inland East Bay but I like SF for all of its urbanness, young people, and international cache.

    Here are a few soccer fans in SF:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVY03ka0Ds
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6HhfEfUUgU
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRIbrk-8BLo
     
  6. TFCMANU

    TFCMANU Member

    Apr 19, 2007
    Parkdale/Newmarket
    Club:
    Toronto FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Hey SF reminds me of Toronto, with your World Cup celebrations of all ethnic backgrounds and you know how passionate Toronto fans are GO SF!

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=World+Cup+Celebration+on+st+clair&search=Search

    http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=worl+cup+celebrations+in+toronto
     
  7. Schwalker

    Schwalker New Member

    Apr 15, 2007
    Gelsenkirchen/Finja
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany


    Well, MLS "needs" quite a few areas eh?...;)

    Your billionaires list look impressive but I noticed that you included the Fischers, that are already engaged in San Jose so I think we can rule them out.
    But somehow I think there are more obstacles than you imagine trying to get a stadium built in SF, some "no competition" contracts are affecting SJQ even, I think (I´m not 100% sure) that even if Wolff and Fischer had wanted to relocate to SF it would have been a breach of contract between SF and some other entity to allow them to build a stadium.

    But good luck..
     
  8. lovingthegreen

    May 29, 2006
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As a former city of San Francisco resident, I would love this, but I just don't see it happening. On the plus side, there is a team in San Jose, which is more than has been case since 2005. And SJ is a heck of a lot more convenient to get to than L.A. is - not that any SF resident would ever support a team from LA ...

    But I do understand SFEarthquakes' concerns and wishes because San Jose (or Santa Clara, to be exact) is not exactly convenient. I put into www.transit.511.org going from the University of San Francisco (located in the middle of the city near Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury) to Santa Clara University, where the majority of SJ's 2008 games will take place, for a Saturday night 7 p.m. kickoff and here's what I found ...

    Would need to walk south about 2/3 of a mile to catch the N and ride it from there to the Caltrain station right next to SBC park from 4:20-4:48 p.m. Then would need to catch Caltrain from 5:00-6:28. Total cost is $9 ($1.50 for the N, $7.50 for Caltrain).

    Then to get home, you would need to hustle and catch the 9:05 train to arrive back in SF at 10:36 and catch the N from 10:42-11:03. If that train was missed, the 10:35 train would be the next option, which wouldn't get you home until 12:43 in the morning.

    Now Mapquest says it would take 54 minutes to go the 48 miles but I don't know how realistic that time frame is (maybe those who are currently living in the Bay Area could help me out here). So maybe that wouldn't be too bad but if you're like many SF residents who count on public transportation, it just may be too tough to regularly support a team based in Santa Clara.
     
  9. Schwalker

    Schwalker New Member

    Apr 15, 2007
    Gelsenkirchen/Finja
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    There will be some games played in Oakland as well...;)
     
  10. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Ever since 1974, when Milan Mandaric ignored NASL commissioner Phil Woosnam's wishes of putting a franchinse in San Francisco, San Jose has been the place for soccer. Pele, Best and Maradona have all played in San Jose and their legacy and traditions established not only with the NASL but also with the championship winning MLS team, has made San Jose the front runner in terms of soccer.

    The main trouble with SF however, is they have never had any interest from anyone to put a franchise in that town and I seriously doubt anyone really wants to step up and put up the money to own a team and build a stadium. Although we can't really judge by the lack of success of the USL's California Victory & SF Seals franchises, I think before the MLS starts to talk about a Bay Area derby, we have to start with the establishment of the franchise in San Jose. If and when their club is established and their SSS built, then maybe we can consider an SF club.

    Unitl then however, GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES! :D
     
  11. Bobo_Snowman

    Bobo_Snowman New Member

    Dec 31, 2007
    Toronto
    We could have a TFC v SF Gay Pride Derby.:rolleyes:
     
  12. wfisher

    wfisher Member

    Jun 1, 2000

    I live in Palo Alto and work in SF. I can drive to AT&T park (SBC park or Pacbell park) in 35min, and to Quakes offices in about 10-15 min. So 54 min is believable. Now traffic is another issue. Generally SF to SC is a morning commute. So one would be a little delayed, on the Southbound trip. But the return trip would be fine.

    The N line in SF does not run on any real schedule, none at all. The T line also runs from the cal train station to the financial district. Again we are talking the SF muni. schedule? Yea right, thats a good one! ;-)

    Caltrain does run on schedule. For other sporting events (SJ sharks, SF Giants) they add trains. They also run express trains for commuters that can trim the South bound trip down. The return trip would likely have a train that expresses to Redwood city, trimming 20-30 min off the trip.

    Another minor detail. BART runs all over bay area, and shares a station with Caltrain. The purposed BART to san jose line put BART next to the purposed quakes stadium.
     
  13. SxSxWxC

    SxSxWxC Member

    Mar 16, 2007
    Wyandotte Crossing
    You are pathetic.
     
  14. SFEarthquakes

    SFEarthquakes Member

    Dec 30, 2005
    Just checking in on this thread. I'll be going to Kezar tomorrow to see the new Quakes against the Old. It will be interesting to see the support we can get in SF. Hope you all go too.
     
  15. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Interesting how all of this money exists in the bay area however, SSV could only find Lew Wolff to make a commitment to building a soccer team and stadium and he chose San Jose.
     
  16. ranequake21

    ranequake21 Member

    Dec 14, 2007
    Call me crazy, but how about once the Niners move out we just build a stadium at Candlestick?

    The thought of a team in San Fran is an absolute dream of mine. Imagining a San Jose San Fran game is incredible, and I think the city could produce some fantastic fans. We defiantely don't really deserve a team yet before Portland, St. Loius, but I definately think if someone had the money they should try to make it happen.
     
  17. lovingthegreen

    May 29, 2006
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You do remember how cold summer nights are at Candlestick, right? All those nights where baseball fans (myself included many a night) were bundled up in blankets, heavy jackets, scarfs, etc. I would absolutely love a team in SF, but preferably not there. Maybe build up Kezar - now that would be really cool!

    I also like the idea of MLS not limiting how many teams are from a certain metropolitan area (in the long run, that would also increase the chances of many teams and an MLS 2 and promotion/relegation).
     
  18. ranequake21

    ranequake21 Member

    Dec 14, 2007
    Yeah I would prefer not at Candlestick as well, but with how hard it is to build on good downtown land, it could be a reasonable alternative, especially if a stadium with a good roof was built. Kezar would of course be absolutely incredible. It could happen in 20 years, but this San Francisco idea is really fun.
     
  19. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
  20. lovingthegreen

    May 29, 2006
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  21. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    They say soccer is supposed to be played in cold weather but I doubt American soccer fans are ready for that yet. With the exceptions of a few host spells in the summer (I.E. last week and maybe another one in May) the wather conditions in the south bay are ideal for soccer. No fog, no wind, no heat, no clouds. no rain.....I've been around the world and maybe there are more exciting towns and more to do and/or life in other cities, but there is nothing beating the SJ weather!
     
  22. lovingthegreen

    May 29, 2006
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's true. I was at the Brazil-U.S. World Cup game in 1994 at Stanford and the weather was amazing. It was the middle of the day (1 p.m. kickoff I think) in July and it was incredibly comfortable. I was living in Reno at the time and it was such a relief to have it be that comfortable mid-day. Nights in the South Bay are obviously very pleasant, as well. Now I absolutely love SF, but you have a point with the weather in San Jose.
     
  23. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Stanford Stadium July 4th, 1994. Usually, around the 4th we get warm spells and it was warm that day but not unbearable. Incredible day incredible weather and an incredible game! If Tomas Dooley scored the on a sitter at the start of the match, Brazil might have had a hard time to score. Even in the pk's I think the USMNT may have taken it from them.....what memores......
     
  24. diamonddnice

    diamonddnice New Member

    Jul 16, 2006
    i'm an sf resident. i'd love to see it. I'm sorry to San Jose but I don't got there and it's far out of the way for me. I tried to go to a game in san jose once without a car. By caltrain it was 1 hour 45 minutes (no expresses) plus a 35 minute bus ride. That's both directions. Plus it would be about a 30 minute wait after the game for the return train. It wasn't worth it. luckily i have a car now but it's far from convient.

    San Francisco is by quite a ways the place to be for sports teams here because it's central and all the transportation goes there.

    Sadly it won't happen. I don't think San Francisco is the best sports market. Geographically it's spread out. There's little sense of belonging to a single community that everyone identifies with. Like when i was in Chicago even in the Burbs everybody identified with Chicago. You'd never have the Bridgeview Fire. Not here. You've got san jose. Even the 49ers are considering a move to LA because they can't get a decent stadium deal. I'd love to see an MLS team at next to Pac Bell that would be ideal. It would easily draw more fans in my opinion then San Jose because of location. No offense to the good san jose fans.

    Another thing is in San Francisco. The Earthquakes really don't exist to anyone not a soccer follower. They get no publicity, no news, the radio hardly mentions them. log on to the san francisco tribune http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ and oakland tribune sports http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports sections and you'll see no San Jose Earthquakes section. by contrast check out the sports sections of the LA Times http://www.latimes.com/sports/, New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/, Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ and you'll see entire sections for the local MLS team or at least soccer. It's just small indication of San Jose earthquakes lack of exposure in San Francisco to average sports fans.

    the point is Earthquakes are a tough sell here because there's no exposure and soccer may be as well because it may be about the market. I think it could work but Oakland As, struggle, the Warriors struggle, The Giants struggled when not in the city, and nobody seems to be able to get a stadium built.
     
  25. diamonddnice

    diamonddnice New Member

    Jul 16, 2006
    Uh...my friend i suggest you take a trip to Santa Barbara or San Diego or maybe Cancun. Weather wise though Oakland has the best soccer weather because it's cool. I but not unbearably cold like San Francisco is. i'm so sick of it i'm moving out of here.
     

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