Wonder what kind of message this sends to the soccer world -- especially Kroenke's financial advisors -- when the "Game Of The Year" draws a whopping 17,000 fans.
The first Chivas-Rapids game, in 1997 drew 26,000. Certainly that was buoyed by Chivas' first-ever appearance in Denver, but this was Boca's first-ever appearance here, too. Rapids-Leon (CONCACAF Champion's Cup) in 1998 drew 7,500 Rapids-Chivas in 2000 drew 24,000 Rapids-Necaxa in 2001 drew 15,500 I think the ticket cost was too prohibitive for this match, especially considering that both teams were missing players at the Copa. When $25 is your cheapest ticket and you're marketing to a fickle market, you're in for a tough sell. That said, I would be surprised if the first Rapids-ChivasUSA match of 2005 doesn't sell close to 25,000 tickets. Just as people were all over themselves to see Freddy play this year, I think you're going to have a large number of Mexican soccer fans who will want to see just what ChivasUSA is all about, at least the first time around.
Ah see ... I've missed both Chivas games before in the past. I hope we have more games where the results matters ... like the Leon game ... that was one of my top three Rapids games of all time!
I thought they were charging way too much for the tickets (yes, I realize that this was a premium game, and it really was some of the best level soccer I've ever seen in person) - but $40 and up for tickets seemed a little steep. PS, as for the attendance, it reminds me of the time we played Necaxa, when they moved all of the season ticket holders to one side of the stadium (presumably to separate the fans, to avoid some of the complaints of the past games and rowdy fans), and about 43 fans of Necaxa sat on the other side. 17k fans and they uproot all their loyal fans to make room for people who will likely never be at another game. Oh, and kudos to the Rapids, when on each goal scored, they flashed "Rapids Goal" in small narrow screens along the West (?) side. Yay. We finally scored!
I wonder how many more people would have gone to the game if the tickets were $15-$25 instead of $25-$40. If they would have doubled attendance with the lower prices, then all the people trying to make money would come out ahead. It makes you wonder what they were thinking with the ticket prices. I remember paying $22 to see the US play Costa Rica in KC. And that was a WC qualifier!
I bought two "cheap seats" and after TicketBastard's fees it came to over $70. Can you really expect a family of four to pay $140 for a one off game?
That would require us to win or at least come in 2nd in something...not gonna happen with Dorkinson in charge.
uh, what game were you watching? The Chivas/Boca game should have showed you how crapy the Rapids have been playing this year. This game had a much quicker pace than any Rapids game I've seen this year. The passing was much more quick and decisive. The payers didn't screw with the ball nearly as much as Colorado would. The only thing you could even compare in quality is the goal keeping. And it wasn't a "professional" game. It was a friendly. If you have been watching the Rapids at all this year, you would realize that either of these two teams would probably kick the crap out of the current Colorado team. Even if it was the B-teams BTW I think most of the people that showed up for this game don't normaly go to Rapids games. They were mostly Hispanics that are very loyal to the Mexican league and probably don't care much for MLS play.
Firts post, but have lurked here for about about a while, so I will understand if I am not listened too. This was the best soccer I have seen in person. Granted, I have only seen MLS games in he past in person. But let's be real, shall we, These two teams put the soccer I have seen to shame. My wife, who doesn't watch any soccer on TV (I mysef get the EPL package) sat there with her mouth open the whole time in awe, having only seen the Rapids before. The crowd was dissapointing, but I really don't think $25 was that silly a price. I bought through the Rapids, so only a dollar service charge...not that joke of a Ticketmaster, which rapes you every chance. What is the saddest to me is how many people were at the July 4th game and how little noise there was...I mean it was a joke. Half that many people on the 21st and it was loud the ENTIRE game. I wish the fans in the US, at any sporting event, would create the constant noise and enthusiasm as I saw wednesday night.
That's the main thing I got out of the game..... At this point, I've pretty much decided US sports blow mainly because of the fact that the fans in general have no passion. Hell, I've been to plenty of Broncos games over the past few seasons that weren't as loud as the 17K fans at Boca-Chivas.