I know it's way too early to talk about MLS Cup 2012, but I was wondering. If San Jose earns the right to host this year's playoff final, would it be held at Buck Shaw Stadium or some other larger venue in the Bay Area? If the Quakes are in the final, would it be their decision or the League's as to where to play it? This year's final is scheduled for December 1, so there may not be many conflicts if the final is moved to another location in the vicinity. What do MLS fans think (particularly Quakes fans) about this possible scenario? I'm sure there would be pressure on both sides of the argument to keep it in Santa Clara where most of San Jose's games are played or move it to a larger stadium so as to maximize ticket sales.
From what I've been told, until their new 18,000 fixed-seat stadium is ready (either in mid-late 2013 or on Opening Day 2014, depending on who you ask), any MLS Cup final hosted by the San Jose Earthquakes would be held in a larger nearby venue, most likely Stanford Stadium. Afterwards, though, all San Jose Earthquakes hosted MLS Cup finals would be held in their new stadium. -G
Thanks Goodsport! The Earthquakes sure are "shaking things up" this season. They could be a true contender for the Cup if they keep getting positive results. Even though we haven't gotten to June yet, the jockeying for playoff positions is well underway!
I'm glad I could help. Hopefully the Earthquakes can indeed rumble their way to the Cup and win it all. -G
That could get particularly interesting if Chicago Fire restaurant became the San Jose Earthquakes' jersey sponsor beforehand. -G
Why at Buck Shaw? So we can try to break the record for smallest attendence at an MLS Cup Final? If the Quakes make it that far, they need to advertise the crap out of that match, and fill Stanford Stadium. This team needs to build a bigger presence in the Bay Area. Hosting the final will be a good way to start. Don't limit yourself to Buck Shaw.
It will be at Buck Shaw because that's the team's home stadium, and renting a bigger stadium on short notice during football season isn't practical. It's possible Stanford Stadium will be hosting the Pac-12 championship game the night before.
I feel the only reason most of us know about that restaurant is because they have the chicagofire.com url. Would At&t park work as a potential venue?
The "Buck Shaw headache" is now gone for 2012 at least... However, it may well return in 2013/14/15, before S.J. stadium is up. The league better figure out something BETTER in the next season(s) and announce it BEFORE the season commences. Meanwhile, maybe the stop-gap measures for now would be: If SJ were to host the final, it will be held at the nearest SSS, which is... HDC??
Interesting article where the above map was drawn from: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/02/01/climbing-ladder-measuring-mls-market-presence More interesting reads at: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/climbing-the-ladder (any idea why the wonderful archive wasn't updated since Apr-12?)