http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/5756559p-6727316c.html "I'm not saying we've done everything. I'm sure someone will think of some other kind of event, and we'll be here to hold it," said Fresno Grizzlies president John Carbray, who also is hoping to bring professional soccer games to the stadium in the near future. Is this a possible venue for Champion's Cup or USOC games?
Do you realize how long it took them to build that stadium? I lived in Fresno from 1990 until about 1997 and the stadium was an on-again/off-again project the entire time. I don't think it was finally approved until around 2000... Mike
Aren't we the San Jose Earthquakes. What's freakin wrong with Spartan? Or a venue near San Jose? The life of a Quake fan.... *sigh*
There is a new United Soccer League team in Fresno, the Fresno Fuego. I believe they will play in the Premier Development League.
Fresno did host a US women's friendly a few years ago against Ukraine though at a different venue if i recall (correct me if I'm wrong on the place there). The potential to host professional games is there, but it is a mega small market in the scheme of cities here. A neutral game site for the Quakes could be a thought, or maybe the Galaxy. They do not have any major league sports so something to try and make it the big time for them.
Spartan Stadium is toooooo small for real soccer. The TV cameras don't see much of the sideline action and neither do fans in certain areas. It has scheduling problems. I could go on.. You need a SSS!!
Umm...yeah, I know all that. I'm the Quake fan. My point was more that the team is the San Jose Earthquakes. And it's bullfish that we have to go elsewhere to watch games.
You just need to get Bill Gates to become a fan and you will have a stadium in San Jose in a few months!
Yeah, but then we'll have to call it Microsoft stadium. I'm not so sure I like that. And then Microsoft would become a Quake sponsor. That would mean the team would crash every five minutes. And it would take years for the powers to be to actually provide the fans with, oh, say, a stadium. And it would still need new upgrades every game. All in keeping with the whole Microsoft thing. Yeah, I'm thinking we could go with someone other than Bill Gates.
You would just need to change the team name to the San Jose Crash. Think of the ad campaigns! "Come see our hard drives!"
I also remember working an international friendly at Bulldog Stadium in the run-up to WC'94. Can't remember who it involved...but I do remember twizzling the Fresno State sports info people there... Fresnecker: Wow, you do a great job, where are you from? Spartacus: (grinning) San Jose State. Fresnecker: Oh. (leaves room in a huff)
That game was Mexico vs Sweden. I think it was 2-1, Mexico. There was actually 40,000 people there for that game. Plus they hold a annual MFL match at Bulldog Stadium. The Grizzlies Stadium was design with soccer in mind. They know have a USL team up and running. Look for some MFL matches coming up in the next couple of months to be hosted there. It should be a nice stadium to watch soccer games in(way better than Bulldog stadium).