On a side note, they actually had the score on the local news on KCUR, the local NPR station this morning. This is the first time they've had a Wizards score. Hopefully they continue.
You do realize that one section of the stadium was closed for the fireworks (Well the fireworks debris). I don't know if that's the section of stadium that is behind that picture, but it would explain it.
Speaking of the Wizards being on the news, I heard an ad on 102.1 at work today, a person in the office was listening to the station it was an ad and a ticket giveaway I think for the RSL game, I could have been wrong though.
If I remember (and I do, because they kicked me out) the fireworks section was covered with fan assistance and security. What you're seeing in the picture is good ol' fashioned empty seats. So empty, that after I got kicked out of the first place I tried to sit, I casually sauntered down to an open front row seat. Yeah, 42,000. Sure. Rapids fans need to stop taking this personally - as a slam. Plain and simple, the Rapids front office is padding.
Not taking it personally, I just don't think the Rapids FO is padding any more than the other 11 FO's in the league. If you're going to call one out, call them all out. I bet 42,000 tickets were sold/given out. If they didn't all show up they still count in attendance. Apparently the 42,000 is a lot closer to tickets sold than the 60,000 number that AEG used to report, as they would buy a ton of tickets themselves to give away to pad the muber.
Another factor in the ease of getting a good seat early is that the game ticket was paired with an all-day pass to the local six-flags park across the freeway. The more casual fans traditionally filter in after halftime, watch the Rapids pull a July 4th victory out of their a**, and enjoy the fireworks.
Nah--it's not just you guys. Despite our mediocre history, we are 9-1 on July 4th. The team always seems win when we draw more than 40k.....
Teams always seem to play poorer in Colorado. It has a lot to do with the altitude especially in the 2nd half.