Review: Major League Soccer Livestrong Sporting Park can set the bar for clubs worldwide

In Spain the level of football is more than the MLS does not want to open a debate but i would say that, in football we have the best level of the leagues in the world. However in terms of assistance the MLS has much to teach to the League right now that the attendance each year are lower,the Spanish crisis along with the high price of the tickets make people not go to the stadiums and neither CRistiano nor Messi already fill the fields.

 

Well the USA has always been the leader in terms of stadium quality, many people give credit to the closed system since teams can invest their money (and the tax payers money) on building nice stadiums. I know players unions do not want to hear this but there is a benefit for keeping player wages at about 50% of revenue, it allows teams to invest on game day experience for the fans.

 

That is a VERY fair point. It does beg the question as to why relegation still exists though? Understanding it is now ingrained in the sports culture in many places, the original reasons for its creation have long since gone by the wayside. One wonders, for at least mid - level teams, how much the relegation fear plays into their financial decisions in every aspect including stadium growth/expansion.

 

I was at Livestrong for the US-Guatemala match. I was VERY impressed with the stadium, the atmosphere, the surrounding area. Everything! I'm REALLY not trying to bash anyone, but going to Livestrong made me see what places like FCD Stadium COULD have been. I'm glad FCD have a stadium, but I think that SKC now have the best stadium in MLS . Granted, I haven't been to BBVA yet. It looks great on TV, though. And we will see what SJ's stadium looks like when it's finished. But everything at Livestrong made it a great place to go for a match.

 

I've only been to RSL's stadium (Rio Tinto) and HDC for MLS games. I think both are top notch stadiums.

Since I haven't been to Livestrong, is there anyone who has been to either Rio Tinto or HDC and can give their opinion on how it compares to those two? (about the same? or is the new one *clearly* better? or ???)

 

I've been to HDC. It's a great soccer stadium too. It has a larger capacity thatn Livestrong, and the atmosphere is top notch. But I think I still have to give the edge, IMHO, to Livestrong.

 

I've been to both LiveStrong Park and Home Depot Center (not to Rio Tinto) as a visitor for Quakes matches.

At LiveStrong Park, the stands are closer to the action, so that is a definite plus compared with HDC, which left too much room between the sidelines and the stands, in my view.

Also, the collection of home support in the Cauldron creates a louder and more intimidating atmosphere than in HDC. Finally, and most significantly, the atmosphere of attending a game at LSP for a visiting fan is enhanced by the numerous and sizeable tailgates, which are the best I've encountered around the league, whereas HDC discourages tailgating altogether.

HDC is better landscaped (nothing beats a palm-tree-laden main entrance and adjoining practice fields surrounded by bougainvillea), as well as being better located, a short drive from the ocean. But both stadia are in rather desultory locales.

Notably, both LSP and HDC allow the visitor section to begin close to field level, which commends them over CenturyLink and Jeld-Wen (and even Buck Shaw), which segregate away fans high and away from the action. (Buck Shaw is redeemed because even the furthest seat is close to the action, and because there are public places where anyone can watch from field level regardless of their ticket.)