Gameday Atmosphere: SJE v. FC Dallas May 3, 2008

We were in the third row of AA and definitely had people blocking our view much of the game. I noticed that a lot of people who stopped in the walkway and asked the usher for directions had tickets in the upper level. Maybe if they posted signs by the entrances for sections (like they do for arenas), it may help the foot traffic. We'll all still have it, but maybe it will be less because people will be entering closer to where their seats are. Or at least have the front walkway for front sections only, and the upper walkway for upper sections only.

That said, at least we had seats! We saw a number of people with tickets in Row 1 that didn't exist! They were given field level seats, I don't know if that was a temporary or permanent solution, but I would've been really annoyed to have purchased seats that didn't exist.

 

Cheers to Tectonicnight!!! I was pleasantly surprised that so many fans joined in on the EARTH-QUAKES chant.

[youtube]9xSGaisNtDY[/youtube]

I sat in section D, second row from the top and it was a great view. I do feel for the folks that had to deal with the foot traffic. No way could I handle that and the FO must do something about it. The benches were extremely close together and seating was really tight. As soon as we sat down I said to my wife "hope you don't have to pee in the next two hours cuz there's no way we're getting out of here".

I understand the gripe that folks have about the long lines at concessions and the quarantine approach for beer but the game lasts only two hours. I would think that folks could live without food or drinks for that long. The game starts at 7pm, plenty of time for you and yours to grab a solid meal before the game. And yes, that is where a tailgate would come in but the situation is what it is. We gotta make due until the FO figures out how to get us tailgating during our stay at Buck Shaw.

Parking organization was not the best but I have no doubt that the FO is already learning from our first home game at BS. Hint: give hand-radios to parking attendants so they can let each other know when a lot is full. No big deal getting out of the parking lots either.

Overall, I had fun and can't wait until next Saturday.

 

That's totally wrong. The only place that was closer was the endzone.

 

Our experience, in the top row of AA was great. High up enough to avoid being blocked by the rail or passing fans. The tip-up seats are comfortable and roomy -- that's why I paid extra for them.

The Ultras looked and sounded great right across from us. The Casbah was perfectly audible as well. Jester-hat guy's cheers were great. Our section is a bit quiet, maybe that will change as the year goes on.

Getting out of the A parking garage was a bit slow, but not a deal breaker.

We don't drink anymore so the beer garden issue is not an issue for us.

A small, but packed stadium looked great live and on tv.

Overall, the atmosphere was great, as was our overall experience.


I agree that they could do with fewer hawkers, especially the cotton candy guys. I hope you guys in the first few rows are able to get some help from the front office, because the foot traffic in front did look pretty bad. Barring that, the first few rows in each section should be sold at a discount as "Obstructed View" seats.

Oh, one other thing, finding your seats isn't rocket science. The sections are clearly marked, if you can't find your section, ask one of the nice ushers. From there, if you can count, finding you seat shouldn't require a head-scratching committee meeting!

 

Everything he said, plus: There was a large group of kids (two rows' worth) directly behind us. Let it be known that this non-breeder actually enjoyed having those kids near us. They were watching the game, starting their own cheers, being goofy, ragging on Dallas, WATCHING THE GAME. Waaaay better than the kinda group that comes on a birthday trip and spends 90 minutes climbing in & out of their seats, begging mom for candy and beating each other with thunder sticks. Even when their chants of "Earth-Quakes!" turned into "Corn-Flakes!", I found their company delightful.

Now if we could just get the grownups around us to cheer a bit more... maybe they're coming next Saturday.

Kudos to Ultras & Casbah, you looked & sounded great!

 

Oh, well. At least we don't have a track surrounding the place.

 

Thanks to everyone who is posting about the Ultras and the Casbah. last night was great since we stand the foot traffic isn't as bad even though it does effect some of our visual stuff because people are in the way. The Casbah looked goood but I highly doubt they could hear us as we could not hear them. Joint stuff will take some time to get going but its early. We were able to get some of the people next to us involved a few times which was nice but a lot of sitting and staring at the field. BS is great if we could get everyone involved the place could be a fortress. I'm not saying stand and jump but cheer a bit more without being told to by the video board.

 

Yea, just an aisle.

 

I don't agree...I felt overall it sucked. I love live soccer, love the Quakes, but not in that stadium.

 

That was one problem I did notice on that end. Part of it can be alleviated by directing people up to the top of the stadium. I walked up top at about 6:40 and no one was using the upper walkway.

 

Section 112, row 3 here. I fully regret getting season tickets with such a low row number now. Didn't get to see the match for the first 12 minutes and i had to yell at people to keep moving along as they stopped by the railing. My ticket rep failed to inform me that the walkway was 14 feet wide and than any seat closer than row 5 would have VERY poor sight lines
There was plenty of leg room(thank God) and that was one of the few pluses along with having my team back. So help me, what with the lack of tailgating and numerous other problems, I missed Spartan last night.

 

This is assuming, of course, that your seats have not been mysteriously deleted from the stadium plan, and you find out on game night that you've purchased season tickets that do not exist. Yup, I'm lucky!

 

Bingo. Agree with you. I hope somebody in the front office can take care of the vendor problem, WAY TO MANY. The latecomers were pissing me off.

 

The front walk way problem can be fixed if the Quakes are willing to do it. What should happen is that the front walkway is closed just before kickoff except for the handicapped of course. Then reopened at the end of the half and closed before the second half kickoff. Now I am only talking about the El Camino side.

 

I completely understand some of the complaints people have at this moment......... but that is why we really need to pack up the City Council chambers on May 13 so that we can get the stadium solution or approval done very soon enough. Complaining or no complaining let's all get there for at least a good 20 or 30 minutes but just show up because it does make an impact believe it or not.

 

I join you in giving cheers to Tectonicnight. The chant is simple and direct, and I think that's why so many will join in. Keep it simple.

 

Nice!! Additional cheers to Tectonicnight, that was a great job. And honestly, it's not that far of a leap from that to something like this, which would rock the stadium:

[youtube]74HB0QaEgXk[/youtube]

I'm kind of surprised about the number of stadium complaints. I thought Buck Shaw was endearingly low-rent.

Like IBT said early, the guy at the corner of 101 made a valiant effort to stop lower walkway traffic, so they're trying. I would expect it to be marginally better next weekend.

Final note: there were still horns!!! Few and far between, but people were in the stadium with them and the Staff Pro guys had no idea about the horn ban. FO needs to do a much better job about getting the word out.

 

I sat in section 101 row 12 so the foot trafic and railing were not a problem.
The ultras were amazing being so close to them. I liked the big flag and all of the streamers! Some fans around you got the idea and started to clap and join in with the chants.The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic .
I would have loved to see a goal!

 

You get a "harumph" AND and "Amen!" from me!!

 

Although the seating chart on the season tix part of the web site says that section AA is sold out, some of the seats around us at the top of the section didn't seem to be season ticket holders. Maybe some of you who are in the first few rows might call your rep and see if you can move up a bit.

 

Clearly, we disagree. I think in every way it was better than Spartan. Sure, Spartan was great with the occasional 20K+ crowd. But 8000 in this place is going to feel lively and fun. That is an awesome upgrade.

As for the late arrivers, it will resolve itself. This was the first game and there was plenty of confusion about the parking. I fell victim to it and was a late comer. It won't happen again.

 

Wow, that says alot about your credibility.