Okay, I was wrong, I'll be the first to admit it... Apparently, the Kickers will NOT be playing at Sportsbackers next year. They'll be at U of R once again. Sportsbackers only gave them a few dates to play their games, nothing condusive to what the team needs to draw fans. So, back to square one. I don't dislike U of R, but I think it would have been neat to see what would have happened had they been able to play there...
personally I don't really like Sportsbackers all that much. I like the size of it as opposed to UR but with the running track. you have to sit so far away from the field. I like it at UR where in the corner you can actually reach out and grab a player that annoys you (just kidding) But you are close enough to actually hear the players on the field. They we could get some little suburb to build us a sportsbackers type stadium without a track <ha ha ha>
Re: Qualifier I was thinking looking at the attendance for the women's national team in the CONCACAF gold cup in the rose bowl (5,568!) that they should hold games like that in soccer towns like Richmond. If we couldn't get 6,000 out for the women's national team I'd be real surprised.
Is it confirmed that we will be using UR? I know the Kickers, and Cowlishaw in particular preferred the field at Sportsbackers but from a fans point of view I think UR is better. A small stadium does not necessarily equate to intimacy, when you're 10 foot off the ground and there's a running track between you an the field there's nothing intimate about it at all. The whole reason the Cornerkicks set-up in the corner is because it's just inches away from the pitch. Many times we've had friendly (and not so friendly) banter with opponents because they're within earshot of us and it's a lot of fun. I agree, a small SSS would be nice. But I want the stands right next to the field and no running track (that would only get used once or twice a year anyhow). Sod the Italians and Germans, the English have it right as far as club stadia - close and intimate (or intimidating depending which side you're on). In the meantime I'm happy where we are. PS - Tickets are $8, $6 with a Ukrops customer card. I don't think you can get great entertainment at better value than that, heck it's even cheaper than a movie.
Considering Richmond hosted the WUSA preseason for the east coast teams in 2002, it wouldn't be out of the question for a WNT match to come to the city at some point. Now if Richmond could combine the smaller size of Sportsbackers with the closeness to the field U of R provides, then we'd have something. All things considered though, even with a track as a barrier, you're still fairly close to the action.