We all want to see our beloved boys out there playing their best and winning the East over the next few weeks...but at what price? Atmosphere-wise Cardinal stadium can easily be the best in the league, but that is where it stops. As a fan I have little problem watching from a packed and rocking house, and I don't think the players mind it much either. However, Cardinal stadium is not, I imagine the place where you want to have the majority of your playoff games (field-wise). No player in this league has made secret that Cardinal stadium is not a place they enjoy playing, even Fire players. And who can blame them. It is small, the turf is artificial, and on certain days comparable, on the field, to an oven. In addition it looks cheap. The lines, the camera angles, almost everything about it, but the players and fans that fill it, looks cheap. Is this a field we want to see on TV come playoff time? Is this the field we want to see playoff games played on? I hope the boys go the distance and finish their season in celebration on CMGI...ahem...Gillette's perfect carpet, but what price with MLS pay for having such games on a field like Cardinal Stadium? Of couse there is nothing we can do but watch and fill it each game. Is there a price to be paid, or am I off base?
The price to be paid is probably in the injury list. FIFA bans play on artificial turf with good reason and from what I've seen (been to four home games this year) and heard from the players SafePlay(tm) is only the best of a bad lot as far as artificial turf is concerned. But otherwise, I like what I've seen from our recent run of games (Sunday vs. the Revs excepted; who are you people and what have you done with my team?) as far as our playoff prospects are concerned, although Wolff will be sorely missed. Sure CS looks like ************ on the tube. But with 16,000 butts in the seats the place rocks. And that is an important factor. Everyone hates playing on the field home and visitors alike. But we have more experience with it so, advantage: Fire. I'll take my titles any way I can get them.
i hope that is a MINOR concern of yours. who gives a shite what it looks like on t.v. i'll take what we can get home or away. just as long as it's the playoffs. don't forget, it's a game. -brandon
I just want to experience the playoffs. I've been able to go to only one game, last year's game one against Dallas. There were a mere 8,000 people in attendence. I wish I would've been at the LA game in '98 where 32K were there. I watched that on TV at EIU, and I enjoyed every minute of it. (I hate shootouts, but oh well).
Re: Re: Home Field Advantage It is a minor concern of mine. I would rather see a great game in a crap stadium than vice versa. People tuning in to see the game care what it looks like--especially those judging the league who aren't fans already. And yes, it is a game, but never forget that it is a business as well.
The price is about $50mil and a cooperative political environment. Get those two and the Fire would move right in.
Artificial turf in general is banned by FIFA. SafePlay(tm) has received (I think) tentative FIFA approval. But if I recall correctly, the Fire had to get some special dispensation from both USSF and FIFA.
http://www.fifa2.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2:gp:522929:67173+find/display+11581+E I hope this posts.It's from the FIFA website, MArch of 2000.
see peter wilt's comments only 1500 less seats so it will be around 13,000. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=7217