From the New York Times, Monday 4/7: "The MetroStars played the first game of any kind on the new artificial turf at Giants Satdium in East Rutherford, N.J., yesterday, defeating Rochester of the A-League, 2-0. The MetroStars, who are scheduled to open their eighth Major League Soccer season on Saturday against visiting Columbus, got goals from Chris Leitch and the rookie Ricardo Clark. The open exhibition match drew a few hundred season-ticket holders as the club continues to negotiate with officials in Hudson County, N.J., to build a new stadium, retail and office complex in Harrison, across the Passaic River from Newark. The project has been in the works for several years, and a team offical who spoke on condition of anonymity said that either the deal would be completed by the end of April or the club would look elsewhere, meaning New York City. "Harrison is not a lock," the offical said, "We would still like it to work out." In the past months, the MetroStars have discussed alternatives that include two sites in Queens, Aqueduct racktrack and in Willets Point (as part of a stadium project for the Mets); Coney Island in Brooklyn; and at Columbia University in Manhattan. At one point, MLS talked about placing a second team in the New York area. That is no longer a viable option, which opens the territory to the MetroStars, who now seem more willing to consider moving across the Hudson River after years of difficult negotiations with officals in New Jersey. It is also possible that a soccer stadium could be part of the Xanadu development project in the Meadowlands. If the deal in Harrison does fall through, any new stadium would be at least five years in the future."
"If the deal in Harrison does fall through, any new stadium would be at least five years in the future."
I think a lot of this is posturing in order to get a better and faster deal with Harrison and the HCIA. Metro's core constiuency remains in NJ, and a move to Queens or Brooklyn is very risky because it puts nearly all of the burden on city people to fill the stadium. Plus, any deal that requires the Bloomberg admin to cough up some land or money isn't going to happen because the money is just not there. With that said, if they could somehow get Wein Stadium to switch to natural grass, remove the track, increase its width and add stands behind the goals...
Re: Re: Metros moving??? That depends. Many Jersey folk take p.t. into the city anyway to get to the Meadowlands.
I agree that this is probably just posturing on the Metros' part in an effort to get the deal done with the best terms possible. If the Metros did move to NYC, they would definitely do better than they are doing now, at least attendance-wise. Yes, they would lose some, or most, of their Jersey fans, which currently make up most of their fanbase. But they would more than make up for any fans lost by picking up fans from LI, Brooklyn and Queens. For any stadium in NYC, AEG would have to pay for most of it, with little or none of the funding coming from public funds. The deal for Harrison, at least as it has been reported, is much better for AEG. I can't see AEG walking away from it.
The Columbia University Stadium most go through a lot of changes in order to welcome the MetroStars as tenants. Before I moved to Los Angeles California, I used to live in Manhattan and know very well this stadium. First, they must remove the artificial turf completely. There are less than 500 seats available. The rest are aluminum bleachers. Third, parking is a nightmare. That stadium does not have parking. When I used to attempt there to see some soccer games, I needed to park in the streets. The only free parking was only available for the players. Having said that, the answer is "impossible for now"
If you want to see the Metros play in a soccer specific stadium.... I suggest you move to LA or Columbus. If you want move to LA for 2 years, then move to Dallas. Otherwise, enjoy the Meadowlands experience.
I was kidding -- we've discussed Columbia to death here as a possible move, even though the University itself has said that they have no interest in modifying Wein. I'm not saying that New Yorkers cannot fill a new stadium, but (a) it's not like Long Island residents have sold out Mitchel for the Power or the Open Cup games, and (b) the team's construction and operating costs would skyrocket. Who knows what the ticket prices would have to be in a new city-based stadium? It's a major risk.
I would love for Wien stadium to work out as I can walk there from my apartment, but I don't see it ever happening. There is a huge stretch of park land at the end of the 1 train bordering Van Cortland park. It would be awesome to put a stadium there as it's a stone's throw from 87, right on the 1/9 train and close enough to the Saw Mill/HHH, but I don't see that happening either. I think it's Harrison or bust (back to GS). With all of the other crap they are looking to throw into Xanadu, I don't see us getting a stadium there either. Metro has said it wants to stay in Jersey, I guess if Harrison busted completely they could start looking all over again, but it looks like all of our eggs will remain in that basket for a while.
Good point Jamilson. Van Cortland Park will be a perfect place. Its a huge piece of free land. However, this is a Park and thousands of people use this park every week for running, biking, softball, soccer, even Cricket. I doubt they the New York Park recreation will give up that park. The place Jamilson is talking about is big enough to build two MLS stadium including parking. Its minutes away from New York City. It's the perfect place. But dreaming is always OK. I see Harrison as the mail priority, if not near Giant Stadium's new project. Let's keep our fingers crossed
From my days there, they had problems selling out. Could walk up on Game Day and get in except for Homecoming.
Oh man.... If Metros came to Brooklyn.... season tickets for me!! and all the people in Brooklyn, this is a soccer haven, alot of different ethnic groups who play soccer, especially alot of Italians and Hispanics. dre
Re: Re: Re: Re: Metros moving??? If he was, he'd be announcing that the stadium was already built and that 50,000 people were in it.
That Columbia spot is so sweet. Isn't it called Baker Field? Is there no chance for inclusion with the revisions they plan to make to the Meadowlands complex? I wouldn't mind a little indoor skiing before or after the match. Sorry, but I'm quite frankly a bit pleased to hear Harrison isn't a done-deal. I know, I know, so many of you hate the Meadowlands, and for good reason (I despise those skyblue jackets as much as all of you), but at least it has some kind of geographic resonance with the rest of the civilized world. Harrison, meanwhile... I'll schlep there, if I have to, but won't be happy about it. For those of you who can't figure out the 164 or 163 buses that go by Giants Stadium (why bother with those special always-late NJ Transit buses?), I know you're convinced it will be easier to get to Harrison, provided PATH complies (and am I right about that one, there isn't even a station there right now?). But there's a reason there isn't anything in Harrison right now. It is terribly inconvenient. I can't even imagine trying to get there after work for a 7:00pm weeknight kickoff from where I live in Rockland. I used to live in Wood-Ridge, NJ, and didn't even have to worry about avoiding the place. It is strangely off the map right now, and don't believe the Metros will miraculously put it there. A stadium in Harrison will put Metro even further from the local media radar, IMHO. As with the war, I hope my disagreement with what seems to be popular opinion is wrong...
Yes, your wrong on every point. There is already a PATH station there. There is also a turnpike exit nearby and Rt 280 is very close (perfect for western folks). Plus, there is a large community of soccer fans within blocks of the proposed site. It's also very easy to get to from Wood-Ridge too.
I take this to mean that the Meadowlands is more convenient for you than Harrison. Harrison has a functioning PATH station, or so I've read on these boards. The move from the Meadowlands to Harrison will make Metros' games more convenient for more people; it is unfortunate that you will apparently be among the minority for whom the reverse is true.
there is as much of a chance at getting space at Van Cortlandt park as there is for getting space in Central park- impossible. maybe this is a silly ploy they are using to try and get harrison to move quicker.