Why DID they put all that space between the fans and the sidelines? The 82 yard wide field was just to disguise the fact for opening day. So who knows the real reasons they built this "cathedral to soccer," after touring all these Eurostadia -- and put fans 15 yards further from the action then they needed to be? For cricket? In summary, I ask "What - no gravy?" Sincerely, -Insultingly ungrateful bastard in Pottersville
It's true. That field almost really is square and when they went to the 75 yard field it did detract from the view. It was interesting that they actually pulled the signboards back several yards about half and hour before the last match in an attempt - I'm pretty sure - to break up the wide expanse of grass next along the sidelines. Frankly, LA should get some decent wingers and play the full 80 yards. It would be fine if they did that.
Keeping a fortress construction mentality, they will eventually dig a moat. After seeing the passion for the game around the world, AEG opted for not having fences but a pit installed in order to keep the thousands of rabid fans from storming the field. AEG will eventually fill this with water and there can be waterskiing exhibitions during half-time.
I think there is a another explanation. When the signboards were first set up, they were so close to the touch line that fans in the lower level seats could not see the line. By moving the signs back a few feet, that opened up the touchlines to view.
Explain this one - it looked to me like the re-lined field was not placed in the center of the space. I think they now have it cheating toward the luxury/press box side; there's a larger gap on the side where more fans are seated.
The new field is exactly on center on the old lines. If you notice the center circle and the various boxes were exactly where they had always been. You could still see the old outline of the sideline lines. There was no evidence that the circle or boxes were redrawn. The only way the current field could be off-center is if it was that way for the original match too.
Perhaps you were joking but I don't think that's true. If it is then they should have put the various irragation access panels someplace else as they're right where any track would be.
I meant a Super Moto X track, of course. But the original question remains - why did they make it SO big and put fans so far away from any reasonably-sized field? They built this thing from scratch, for soccer. Why 100 yards or so from wall to wall? Somebody here probably knows, and if it's because they wanted rugby, Dave Mathews and Monster Truck rallies, fill us in. Maybe it's because they left room for "on-the-court" category seating. So far the best explanation I've read here is that they may put in a moat. If they're seriously considering this, I hope it has alligators. But the only thing I'm hearing from MLS, LA and the Galaxy fans is "Look at the shiny stuff. Look at the sparkly scoreboard." And, I gotta admit, it's pretty shiny and sparkly.
Perhaps they will expand capacity later by building more rows of seats down towards the field. Even if they didn't plan it that way, it seem like it would work.
i was thinking about that. supposedly, all FIFA tournament sites for the women's world cup have to have 30,000 seats. my guess would be they'll put a few rows of bleachers all the way around since there's so much room.
I think it's for future prevention of pitch invasions. BTW, don't worry. It doesn't really work anyway.