maybe not worth a new thread but Soccer stadium, Part 2: In MLS circles, the Columbus Crew's 4-year-old stadium is considered the league's crown jewel. But local businessmen are already boasting (privately, of course) that if Cleveland lands an expansion team, its home will make Crew Stadium look like a glorified cornfield with bleachers - and easily rank as the premier field in the MLS. from http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/105307746978420.xml who are these businessmen? how serious are they? enough to weigh in for '05? i highly doubt it, but as usual with anything related to expansion- more questions than answers.
The article also mentioned that summit county is the likely location for a stadium. The University of Akron is also looking for ways to get out of the Rubber Bowl and get a stadium downtown. It would be interesting to see if some kind of partnership could be formed to bring a team to the area. Before everyone gets all bent out of shape, the football team only plays five home games and if it meant a beautiful new stadium it would be well worth it. Just a thought.
These businessmen ought to know that if they want "the premier field in the MLS", the competition is in LA, not Columbus.
For University of Akron to use the stadium it would have to be at least 30k, and there would have to be at least 5 home games a year. I think a stadium in Akron-Canton area would be interesting. Any idea how many people from Cleveland would make the trip? I think a stadium in Cleveland would work better, but if Akron and its university will foot some of the bill, I am all for it.
I don't believe that the University would need a stadium in the 30k range. That's what they have now and it is way to big. To remain a division one program they need to average 15k, which right now might be a problem for the school. 20k-25k should be a good fit for both the university and MLS. I have no idea how many fans would make the trip from Cleveland. It's only about a 30 minute drive so it shouldn't detract many from making the trip.
No, I haven't. My post was based on reading the posts of dozens of people who have been to the HDC (or at least seen pictures of it) and/or CCS, all of whom (even Crew fans) stating that the HDC will be the best stadium in the league. Bill -- you've been to CCS, and you've seen the pictures of HDC. Tell me, which of the two will be the "premier field in MLS"?
The new NCAA rules requie a 30k seat stadium in 2005 along with the 5 home games and the 15k actual attendence.
Thanks for sharing the article. Summit County? Shades of the Richfield Coliseum? Say it ain't so. The Rubber Bowl should be condemned... take it from a UA employee here. As for pro soccer, remember when the Force & Pittsburgh played an outdoor game there back in the 80s? Drew about a thousand, counting the Force cheerleaders. ASL Cobras owner Eric Henderson once investigated the possibility of an NASL team in the Rubber Bowl previous to that, and decided against it. If not Warrensville Hts (Thistledown), perhaps Wolstein owns some ground in Strongsville or Brecksville (both near interstates) that would be more accessible to the existing soccer crowd. Even bare ground would be an improvement over Randall Park Mall.
15K attendance, yes. Audited, for that matter. The 30K stadium, no. That was in the original package of reforms, but as I understand it, and everyone associated with the University of Idaho will repeat over and over again, this requirement was dropped.
First off, I can't really see Cleveland having the premier anything in the country. They've got big enough heads, they don't need it. (Ignore if not familiar w/ NE Ohio) As for the Cleveland expansion, I don't see any progress being made towards the 2005 expansion. It's all been unconfirmed rumors. While this is to be expected in the current situation, it seems that other candidates have already made progress (i.e. OKC) towards impressing MLS. I just can't see it happening right now. C14