Had the chance to speak with Mike Hitchcock for quite a bit at the FCD Christmas Party and got some interesting news/info: 1) FC Dallas will have their home opener televised on ABC, beating out a bid from the LA Galaxy. 2) FCD and LA have both put in bids to host MLS Cup 2006. No mention of Chicago, so apparently the Fire did not bid on the game. 3) FCD has a bid in to host the Mexico v Ghana friendly at Pizza Hut Park. FCD also has a bid in to host a USMNT friendly in February. 4) The concrete walls and stage area will be painted for next season! 5) FCD will host 8 big concerts at Pizza Hut Park in 2006. Both rock groups and country & western singers will perform. Unfortunately, Hitch wouldn't say who've they've booked , but he said the goal was to fill all 28,000 seats. 6) FCD has struck a deal with the City of Frisco to host their 4th of July celebration. Included will be an FCD game, fireworks, and a post-game concert featuring some fairly big-name acts (Hitch mentioned the group "America" as the type of band who might perform) 7) The fate of San Jose will be announced tomorrow (Thursday) or on Friday. 8) Hunt Sports Group is one of the 3 groups interested in operating the Wizards in KC should they get the stadium deal done.
He liked my idea of having a "player name & number board" like in some European stadiums. I mentioned it as maybe something they could do on the stage.
Wow. This is all great news to me. It'll be great to have our team on national TV this time in our beautiful new stadium with that sweet pitch.
Interesting. So does that mean that FCD has a better home record against Chicago than it does against any other MLS team? (other than RSL and Chivas USA, of course)
I would imagine, but come on it's Chitcago, that's like saying our reserves have a good record against SMU.
One other tidbit I thought interesting: Hitchcock stated that the LA Galaxy were the only MLS team currently profitable, and that in order for FCD to become profitable, that FCD would have to come close to selling out most of its games and do well in local sponsorships. Hitch also indicated that there's serious interest in many cities in getting an expansion team (he mentioned "ten" cities, including Philadelphia), but that these investors wanted to see a few more teams become profitable before investing in the league themselves.
"America" the group sucks! I thought the music during the games last year was very good (Blur etc). Hope this is not representive of his music taste! What was the music type at HDC anyway?
Hitch on Ruiz: - MLS is the highest bidder for Ruiz's services at this point. - Ruiz's agent is shopping him everywhere to see if he can get a higher offer. - Other clubs around the world will not get serious about any offers until the FIFA transfer window opens in January. - Ruiz wants to stay in Dallas. - Ruiz calls practically on a daily basis. - Nothing will happen until the FIFA transfer window opens in January.
Hitch on FCD exhibitions: - They plan to land one of the massive of the "massive" clubs as they tour America next summer. - Chivas vs. FCD exhibition is very likely as well.
Ruiz wants to be in Dallas....He calls practically every day... Why do these quotes come off as GM speak to me....just kinda blowin smoke..i mean if the guy wants to stay in Dallas, shouldnt he instruct his agent to make something happen?
Are we talking about Chivas of Guadalajara? Also any word on the who the collection of massive clubs will be?
4) Thank God. 5) What? No Hip hop or R&B? * grumbles * 6) Will a horse with no name be there as well? 7) And it isn't good at all for them.
Just so you have the complete picture. Dallas all-time record in Chicago is 3W 1T 12L. Although they are 2W 1T 2L in the last 5. Dallas lost the only game they played at a neutral venue. The 98 US Open Cup Semi Final. 3-2.
Very interesting. I always thought Carlos was neutral toward staying in Dallas. But here Hitch makes it sound like the guy will have his heart broken if he ends up with another team. Maybe the truth lies somewhere between?