Sorry, you brought up ticket price ... I don't understand the point of ticket price when it comes to the outlook of development teams. Sure it matters when comparing RGV attendance vs an independent, but many other things matter just as much. I doubt if cost is driving attendance down ... and I really doubt development teams in markets where there are no high levels being played is an issue. Marketing, ticket sales strategies, promotions, facilities (fan experience) are likely just as big of an issue and they're different in every situation.
What I was trying to get at was that (I think) people go to MiLB games because they're a cheap day/evening out to watch baseball. I could be completely wrong on this, but I don't think there are (many, at any rate) passionate Rumble Ponies or Macon Bacon fans (maybe Rumble Ponies. I mean... Rumble Ponies!). I also highly doubt that the Salt Lake Bees or the Mobile Bay Bears are massively increasing Anaheim's fan bases in Utah and south Alabama, respectively. MiLB is a pretty dispassionate experience vis-a-vis the actual baseball. You go for the atmosphere (which, also, is very laid back in baseball) and the individual players, but I don't think the teams matter much. I don't think when the Sand Gnats moved from Savannah to Columbia and were replaced with the Bananas that anyone in Savannah kept their allegiances to the Sand Gnats. I also really don't think that majority of people that pass through MiLB care overall how their local team is doing as long as it was a fun day at the ballpark when they go. Soccer is a really different game, though. Individuals have far less of an effect (usually). So while Ricardo Pepi might draw some interest, it's also really possible that the rest of the team is in a state (or the opponent's defense) that he's taken completely out of the game. Last season, baseball fans in Manchester, NH and Buffalo knew that Vlad Guerrero, Jr. was going to be at the plate 3 or 4 times a game regardless of whatever the rest of the team looked like.
Don't think I disagree with any of that ... but I also don't understand why ticket pricing is an issue in soccer ... or maybe it isn't. I do think, that if done correctly, the developmental teams can draw from people wanting to see players from their "own home town" or region. I am an Austria Wien fan this year based on a kid from my neck of the woods being on their team. If a developmental team has a handful of local players, I can see why fans would come and see them play. I do think some players can draw fans for many different reasons though.
I just think it's a much harder sell when it's going to cost $60 (plus fees) for a family of 4 simply to get through the gate if there's not much excitement about or connection to the team, although obviously that isn't exclusive to reserves teams.
I don't disagree ... but I'd be shocked if teams wanted higher attendance and had those costs for entry. Swope Park certainly don't have those costs. They have other reasons for attendance issues ... but really, they aren't that concerned with it ... just concern from USL/twitter/reddit fans!
I would still like to see a USL-1 team in Wichita and to have an agreement for a few of the better SKC Academy players to be loaned to them for a season.
I'd rather have those Academy players playing for Swope in USL1 against Wichita, Topeka, Springfield, Columbia, Des Moines, Omaha, Little Rock, etc.
https://www.soctakes.com/2019/09/10/usl-league-one-adds-4-clubs/ Portland Tinbers 2 and Los Angles Galaxy II will move from Championship to League 1, and will be joined by a new club in Riverside that is a reserve team for AS Roma of Serie A. A new reserve team for New England of MLS is joining League 1 as well. Soc Takes initially reported that the 3 MLS reserve teams would join for 2020, but the USL's Ryan Madden confirmed that will not happen next year. For 2020 there might be a 3 division alignment: West - Riverside, Tucson, North Texas, Omaha East - Richmond, Lansing, Toronto, Madison South - Orlando, Greenville, South Georgia, Chattanooga I wonder if Boise will make a stab at USL Championship if Tacoma stays.
I see Boise and Spokane pushed forward a lot for USL-C expansion, but it feels unlikely that USL would prioritize more markets that would push the D2 population requirements percentage in the wrong direction. Boise is probably close enough to be fine, but it highlights how limited the markets are in the west. Outside of California, anyway.
I agree with you. Boise probably could work for USLC, but if Portland and Real Monarchs ultimately move down (not to mention Tacoma), there's little reason for Boise to stay up. Both markets would be great adds for League 1.
I do remember the USL commish saying they were going to cap USL-C soon so they can start to fill up USL-L1.
Only after they expand to 40. And that's after kicking down 10 or 12: https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/01/14/usl-jake-edwards-future-expansion-promotion-relegation "We’re looking at the ideal number [in the Championship] somewhere around 38 or 40, and that’s where we’re going to top out and cease expansion. What that means is there will be a number of teams—probably 10 or 12—currently in our Championship that will come out of our league over the next years and go into League One." That's 12-16 new teams, not counting teams poached by MLS. It seems ambitious, to say the least.
I would suspect Championship will wind up at either 36 or 40 - 38 means 2 conferences of 19, which means someone has to leave a weekend date open every weekend. As far as who's headed out, it will probably look like this: Nashville (2020) - MLS Austin (2021) - folds due to MLS Sacramento (2022) - MLS Saint Louis (2022) - MLS Charlotte - MLS Portland Timbers 2 - League 1 Los Angeles Galaxy II - League 1 Swope Park Rangers - League 1 Tacoma Defiance - League 1 Real Monarchs - League 1 Atlanta United 2 - League 1 If all five of the new MLS teams create League 1 teams in their wake, that gets to 11 new teams. New York Red Bulls II and Loudon United might be the last two out, but that would still mean 13 departures from USLC plus possibly Ottawa. So to get back from 24 or 25 to 40: San Diego (confirmed) Oakland/East Bay (confirmed) Jacksonville Milwaukee Cleveland New Orleans Buffalo Baltimore Detroit Grand Rapids Richmond (from League 1) Virginia Beach Providence Omaha (from League 1) Tucson (from League 1, Phoenix Rising moves reserves to Flagstaff or Phoenix) Knoxville If MLS goes to 32, you could probably add Albany and Greenville to the list.
I'd probably throw Charleston and possibly Colorado Springs into L1 pot, as well. Can't imagine they would promote Greenville up from L1 at their current attendance numbers.
I would have said that prior to their stadium solution coming about. I think that changes the game for them a bit.
I agree, but it really boils down to whether or not they think they can continue to afford to operate at that level. Since it's a gate driven league, the stadium could help, but it's not going to be a magic wand. The stadium situation is why I hedged on them, but I think any smaller market that is struggling competitively is at least considering the drop.
Agree ... Charlotte's situation is similar, only the market is larger, but a larger market doesn't mean anything if you don't do the work.
Big news out San Diego. Tonight the USL San Diego team will be revealing their GM (Donovan) as well as that they’re beginning play in March 2020. They’re playing at a planned expanded Torero Stadium (Stadium was known, that they wanted to expand was not). Possible the name is being revealed at the event tonight as well. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2019-09-16/soccer-usl-san-diego-landon-donovan-warren-smith-usd-torero-stadium-2020?_amp=true Head coach and colors are being announced next month (also may be Donovan) along with a likely new majority investor to give the team even deeper pockets. They expect to take the field for exhibitions in Feb 2020 in advance of next season.
Finally some movement in Des Moines. https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-to-possibly-land-professional-soccer-team/29113803
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...0-million-usl-championship-menace/2369166001/ Des Moines Register article.
When I read the article on The Athletic last night, I was pretty happy. Mostly cause I had read it wrongly, thinking that Des Moines would be a USL-1 team. Rivalries with Omaha and Madison. After re-reading it and finding my error I was still okay with it but I think it comes with more risk. Either way, more teams (and 'local' teams) the better.
That is exactly where I was thinking/expecting for a while now. It's so close to East Village and has the Capitol as a backdrop there. The revitalization that has already occurred in the immediate area is great and MLK has made everything so accessible. The recent news that they are developing the former industrial zone between E 6th and E 14 along MLK to mixed use commercial/residential really makes me think it's been in the works for a while. Of course, I suspect a stadium plan was part of the enticement to move KG downtown too.
I'm illiterate... SW 14th is where the failed casino plan was. That's an even better site given the redevelopment to the north with the sculpture park and KG headquarters (among other things). Plenty of pay to park options and space for dining/drinking options. The new hotels, condos, and light commercial space right there are another selling point (Chicago Dog should've stayed).