Downtown Detroit MLS Stadium Site Moves Forward

Discussion in 'Detroit' started by Kavok, Jul 31, 2017.

  1. Footsatt

    Footsatt Member+

    Apr 8, 2008
    Michigan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What about Seattle and Atlanta?
     
  2. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Seattle has a history and was much earlier in the expansion process.

    Atlanta specifically built the stadium with soccer in mind....and it shows. Looks much better than I ever thought it could.

    Detroit would be old NASL/early MLS. A huge, cavernous cold place for a game if only 20K showed up.

    If there are other options, with SSS, Detroit goes down the list by some margin I would wager.
     
    Tobias C repped this.
  3. Footsatt

    Footsatt Member+

    Apr 8, 2008
    Michigan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ford field is a 65k multiuse stadium. It was built with soccer in mind.

    It has tons of natural light for a domed stadium.

    To me this is good news for the bid. Heck, they could come in before Miami now.
     
  4. RaisedEverywhere

    Mexico
    Aug 9, 2017
    Detroit
    I just don't see it man. MLS specifically stated they want soccer specific stadiums. Like a previous poster said, this is a step backwards. MLS's response indicates that. In responding to this Detroit ammendment, they said they respect the owners but prefer soccer specific stadiums. To me, that basically says "thanks but no thanks". There has to be a reason they did this.

    Maybe they wanted the land all along and didn't care about the soccer aspect? And now that the land swap seems like a done deal they're basically throwing the soccer aspect under the bus?
    Something is weird. Either they are extremely smart and know something most of us don't , or they're basically saying, screw it. I think they got their land, and now they're saying screw it.
     
    msilverstein47 repped this.
  5. thekorean

    thekorean Member

    Jan 10, 2017
    Club:
    New York City FC
    I think if the owners control the stadium MLS is ok with NFL stadium, as shown by Arthur Blank.


    And oh, if the market is big.
     
  6. RaisedEverywhere

    Mexico
    Aug 9, 2017
    Detroit
    The argument against your point is that Mercedes Benz (Arthur Blank) stadium was built with soccer in mind. Ford Field was not. This turn of events seems crazy to me after all the back and forth with the jail site. I think we are done. Not sure why they even kept the bid in.
     
  7. RedRover

    RedRover BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 15, 2007
    Then how the hell do you personally explain the letter MLS wrote to Gilbert and Gores telling them Ford Field is not suitable for the league?

    This is actually a huge body blow for Detroit trying to get an MLS team. They're f*#ked.
     
    RaisedEverywhere repped this.
  8. thekorean

    thekorean Member

    Jan 10, 2017
    Club:
    New York City FC
    I hope they know something we don't. Can't imagine they offer Ford Field if they have been already told by the league no.

    Bringing the name Ford aboard MLS itself is a huge deal though, I can see Don Garber overlooking whatever issues Ford Field might have.
     
    Footsatt repped this.
  9. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Will they be called the Detroit Express? I loved Trevor Francis!
     
  10. thekorean

    thekorean Member

    Jan 10, 2017
    Club:
    New York City FC
    Anything but United, City or FC (Insert city name here)
     
    falvo repped this.
  11. Ian McCracken

    Ian McCracken Member

    May 28, 1999
    USA
    Club:
    SS Lazio Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    I am not very happy about this change in venue for the Detroit bid. I feel the lack of a SSS hurts their chances, despite the fact the ownership group now totals about $12 Billion in wealth, and brings in Ford as a sponsor. The change at this late date is confusing. I feel something else must be up...perhaps Gilbert offered up the jail site as a potential home for Amazon HQ2. Gilbert is leading a huge effort to bring Amazon to Detroit and so this land may be something offered in that plan. Perhaps if Detroit fails in the Amazon bid, the jail site would be back on the table for a SSS. All speculation here on my part.
     
    Granitza78 repped this.
  12. Skandal!!!

    Skandal!!! Member

    Legia Warszawa
    Poland
    Apr 26, 2017
    Detroit Robo-Cops.

    Why would Detroit need MLS team? Aren't you guys slowly closing this city down, and the last one will turn off the light?
     
  13. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    you are completely nutters...take a moment and read about the comeback dude
     
  14. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    yep I agree...could not have said it any better myself...and so it goes in the biz world...sigh
     
  15. falvo

    falvo Member+

    Mar 27, 2005
    San Jose & Florence
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    The last thing this league needs in another United....
     
  16. Footsatt

    Footsatt Member+

    Apr 8, 2008
    Michigan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I didn't hear about this letter. Is there a story about it anywhere?
     
  17. Footsatt

    Footsatt Member+

    Apr 8, 2008
    Michigan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ford field might not of originally been built with soccer in mind, but it was originally built as a multipurpose stadium. So that soccer could be played in the stadium.

    Ford Field held a couple GC matches in 2011, and there have been other soccer matches played at the field. From the TV perspective the field looks good. The field is plenty wide.
     
  18. RaisedEverywhere

    Mexico
    Aug 9, 2017
    Detroit
    It's floating around the net. I can't link it right now but you can google it and it'll come up. it essentially says...... while we respect the ownership group in Detroit, we have not had a chance to read the amended application submitted by Detroit so it would be difficult to comment on it at this time. MLS prefers soccer specific stadiums by those applying. End of response.
    Basically that, not verbatim obviously, but close to that.
     
  19. Zoidberg

    Zoidberg Member+

    Jun 23, 2006
    Don't call it a comeback.....
    .....been here for years!

    I'm gpnna knock u out!
     
    song219 repped this.
  20. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I actually sent the City a check for $10 when you couldn't make your pension payment obligations;)
     
  21. Red Card

    Red Card Member+

    Mar 3, 1999
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Is the jail land swap still possible without the soccer stadium?
     
  22. Tobias C

    Tobias C Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Mar 6, 2014
    Toledo, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think Gilbert and Gore's see the opportunity to be another Atlanta, and they don't even have to build a stadium with bringing the Ford's in.

    Ford Field might be able to accommodate soccer fine enough....but MBS is the most expensive stadium on earth and it literally transforms from a football stadium to a soccer stadium basically. Even all the signage and branding throughout the stadium is all digital and can be flipped over from Falcons to United. So it's not the same.

    Garber and Co. might just let it go though.....since they love their t.v. markets and Detroit is huge.
     
  23. Footsatt

    Footsatt Member+

    Apr 8, 2008
    Michigan
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ford field just went though a $100 million renovation were they added video boards...

    [​IMG]
     
  24. Rick O'Shea

    Rick O'Shea Member

    Aug 19, 2008
    It's a shame they can't be called the Detroit Dynamos, but I guess Houston might have a say in that !
     
  25. Hube

    Hube Member

    May 30, 2004
    That's what they said but it's bullshit. You barely can see the goal, the sides and the lines of the field in soccer mode.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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