California Franchise

LA Blues SC is probably going to play on fields right next to the Stub Hub Center for cost cutting purposes. They also use facilities at the Center as needed. I'm glad that the team is not playing in the Malibu area anymore. Titan Stadium is a nice alternative, but it's not exactly in Los Angeles and quite a drive for some folks.

Don't forget that LA Strikers had some support from Chivas USA club. I would love to see LA-based MLS teams show support for the LA Blues SC.

 

Except the Blues have already gone on the record that they still want to join the NWSL. I'm not saying that the Galaxy or Chivas will want to be part owners of the team (they may or may not, I don't know). Just that there might be some partnership between them.

 

Right; the Blues have already shown their NWSL interest. I'm just not sure about the MLS involvement; if it's just stadium-sharing, I don't want it to become a situation like the Sol in SHC or the Red Stars in Toyota Park.

 

Yeah, I would hope that either with them playing in the track and field stadium or with a reduced capacity stadium (a la Chivas USA) that they would have cheaper rent than the Sol.

 

Pali is closer to me. But traffic on PCH can be terrible during the summer, so being in Carson probably won't be too much worse. And it's half an hour closer than Titan Stadium (in good traffic), so I'm glad about that. I would still prefer a downtown location though. With the Expo line (which I just took to Staples Center for the first time last night), it's such a breeze to get downtown now.

 

With the Blues and the Strikers combining and the MLS clubs looking to have the USL Pro affilaites in place by 2015.
The possibility of the Galaxy affiliating itself with both the W League team and move them to the NWSL as well as the mens side USL Pro team playing at TiTan stadium with the thought of playing both as part of doubleheaders.
SHC would drown an NWSL side and Titan Stadium is a quality natural grass pitch.
The Galaxy having its USL Pro affiliate and sister NWSL team 30 minutes away could work out perfectly

 

The Sol averaged 6,298. That's only around 2,000 less than Chivas this year...

If what you're suggesting were to take place, I think the question would be where is it cheapest to play the women's side. I'm not 100% certain, but I think AEG operates the track and field stadium as well. If so that would probably be cheaper than Titan. The downside of course is having the track around the field. But at least it's natural grass.

 

If that is true than AEG were to affiliate the Galaxy with both moving into a stadium which they operate makes much more sense.
My feeling is whether there is a track or not as long as the pitch and stadium is up to modern pro standards it is a good option. There are a lot of Track and Field/Soccer stadiums so this will be happening in other places as well.
There not too many Titan stadiums out there that have become soccer/Lacrosse specific because the school dropped the football program. Hofstra's Shuart stadium.
Having no football lines on the pitch is much more important.
The more we talk about it the more it looks like this can become a reality with AEG could do this and move both USL Pro and Womens side to the track and field.
What is the capacity ?

 

I'm not quite sure. On one of Cal State Dominguez Hills' pages it says "Capacity: West Bleaches - 5,000" and on another page it says "Capacity: Bleacher Seating - 8,000". Looking at the satellite view though, the West side doesn't look like it holds 3,000 more than the East side... so it could be up to 10,000? But at minimum it's 5,000, so plenty big enough. Also, CSU Dominguez Hills doesn't use it for gridiron either. It's soccer and track & field only.

Here's a view from the west side towards the east:

 

Well that loks great 10K a nice max even if they don't hit it. The key is no football Track and field/ Soccer specific stadium

 

I couldn't find any articles about the expansion, but i did find this 2005 article about the LA Riptide which states that the capacity is 10,000.

 

Maybe they should keep the same logo when they join NWSL.

 

It also states that AEG owned the Riptide which most likely means they run the track and field/Soccer stadium as well. So anything Galaxy involves NWSL or USL Pro would involve the clubs playing at their venue. So if the Blues USL Pro side does become the Galaxy affiliate a move from Titan Stadium would happen

 

This confirms the Blues will be playing in Carson, though not which stadium:

To our new followers who may not know who we are: http://t.co/kf16qAUDKp
Catch us at the @StubHubCenter this summer!

— LA Blues SC (@LABluesSC) January 15, 2014

Also, for anyone doubting their NWSL aspirations:

Major discussions with potential players this morning. #NWSL level side in LA.

— charlie naimo (@CharlieNaimo) January 15, 2014

 

Well, reading that Tweet literally, it only says they want an NWSL-quality team, not an NWSL team. Actually kinda sounds to me similar to some current NASL teams that want NASL to challenge MLS as the #1 league. I kinda wonder if they're still upset at being denied the first time around, especially now that the acceptance of Houston has thrown out the geographic requirement that apparently got them denied in the first place.

 

Why would they merge with the Strikers, play at the StubHub center, and aspire to a NWSL quality team if they are just going to stay in the W-League? I think it's clear from all their actions that they are trying to show the NWSL that they are a quality enough outfit that they should be awarded a NWSL expansion franchise.

It seems to me that rather they've seen that Houston got a team and that has renewed their interest/desire to get a NWSL franchise.

Charlie also had this twitter interaction:

421673766968885249 is not a valid tweet id

@livefierce @duresport best post I've seen.. worth coming out of retirement for. Finally

— charlie naimo (@CharlieNaimo) January 10, 2014

He had taken a full time job outside of soccer, and it sounds like he is now back full time with the Blues. Why do that if you're just gonna stay a W-League team?

 

Cant take it personal. merging with the strikers and moving to an AEG pitch, most likley the Track and soccer pitch, would most likley give them a stronger position to enter.
Even another ownership group was chose for the Seattle franchise over the Sounders.
That would bring the league to ten and then Toronto or another Canadian city. I can see Ottawa with the Fury connected to OSEG as a darkhorse.
That would leave one more franchise to make 12
Will anothe MLS team look to combine with a franchise perhaps a second one in Texas to rival Houston as well as being closer to mexico. Darkhorse for Texas would be San Antonio. Smaller yet moder Toyota park. Possible owne Spurs S&E which alsoowns the SA Silver stars of the WNBA promoting the top two womens sports pro leagues together

JMO of course

 

I live ten minutes from Titan stadium so it would have been ideal for me, but Stubhub is fine too. Just please not Malibu, too far and inconvenient.

I wouldn't mind the LA Blues to be a NWSL team. I guess it's too late for it to happen this year, but hopefully if Houston Dash are successful, they might expand again for next year. Fingers crossed....

 

The league has a team in Texas (Houston).
Landing a team in California (preferably Los Angeles), and a team in Florida (Orlando) would be huge.

 

Yeah, but it would be nice if Florida could get a team.
Same for L.A.

And then I'd target Canada next.
Philadelphia is intriguing as well.
Adding Indiana from the Midwest compliments Chicago and FCKC.

 

Could you clarify what you mean by that? Are you talking Sounders the MLS team or the W-League team? (Like are you saying they'd be competing or what?)