I hope we can lift MLS Cup before 2006 and then host the same event in 2006. I can't wait to sit in the supporters section in a Denver SSS at the midfield line.
      Congratulations, Rapids fans!       SSS count: 4 down, 6 to go (not counting the expansion teams)! -G
I love the timing of the announcement. Just a little kick to the Rapids, especially the youth on the team, to take us to the cup. I can see Spencer kissing the cup right now with his man of the match banner slung over his shoulder.
YUP The rapids are going to be tough to beat. A great day for the colorado players, their fans, and all soccer fans in the U.S. I loved this quote from Garber: "We call The Home Depot Center the cathedral for soccer in America. It’s not about the suites. It’s not about the beautiful pitch and it’s not about the fact that it is appropriately sized. But it’s all of those things together that celebrate the sport. What soccer needs in this country is to have these beacons that can drive the growth of the sport and bring new people to it. At the end of the day the sport is very successful at the youth level and very successful at other levels. And to make it successful professionally, we as a League need to be that focal point – the portal which the rest of the sport comes through. The way to do that is with a home. I think this statement more than most others by Garber or anyone at MLS shows me that they do have the right vision. They are focusing their efforts, using the necessary resources, and clearly see the future for MLS. A very exciting time for MLS...2 stadiums currently, 1 being built, 1 essentially commited to, the Fire moving back to a renovated Soldier Field, the Metros working on a stadium deal, the A-league Rhinos building a facility, etc, etc... Just very promising in my opinion.
Congrats to all Rapids fans.... this is a great day for the club, its fans, and all the soccer fans in this country. MLS finally looks like its going in the right direction. 2006 should be an amazing year for the growth of soccer in the US.
One thing... if I were the head of the Mile High Club, or whatever the supporters club is called, I'd get on the phone with KSE and introduce yourself and ask how you can help. Talk about wanting to help sell season tickets. Sachin
Someone should start a "I love Stan Kroenke" thread. Congratulations Rapids fans, I can't wait to see the plans of the new stadium!
Congrats from Metroland. In the short term, I hope KSE can give the team's web site a shot in the arm - It looks like crap!
And then there were 5? I echo the congratulations!! A very interesting comment! Could it be 3 to go? 2 to go? Check this out from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-soccer24sep24,1,2530517.story?coll=la-headlines-sports "AEG already is set to build a stadium for the MetroStars in Harrison, N.J., to open in 2006, and is planning facilities in Chicago and Washington."
Congrats! Every little bit helps. I love to visit there in the summer, so this will add to my summer vacations. I agree with the guy who said this may contribute to a home field advantage. Altitude+home atmosphere. Should be interesting.
Not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but the "60-90 days" gang are rumored to have a Harrison stadium opening in '06 as well. And you know how that goes. NY will get first dibs if you both have stadiums open the same year. No matter how it shakes out, I'm all for the final being played in three new stadiums in three consecutive years. Can anyone really remember '94? I have to admit that it's getting blurry.
congrats Wow you guys/gals must be "stoked". Congrats with the new ownership AND a new stadium. The sky is the limit for Colorado . . . -from a jealous Earthquake fan!
I'm double damn stoked. And to think.... In May It sucked to be a Rapids fan. Today, I'm on the sunny side of the street.
Yeah what a turnaround!! Went from crappy season to making a run at the Cup, New Owner, New Stadium in the future.
Yep. It was a great time to be a soccer fan, as it is now. Good job, Denver. We're happy for you here in LA. Hopefully the proposed stadium will be more like the HDC rather than Crew Stadium. But don't be surprised if your stadium is called Wal-Mart field.
$$$ Just wondering if anyone had any idea what the price was for the rapids? anyone have an educated guess at what kroenke paid or is he just taking them over and paying the bills from now on? what is an mls franchise worth right now?
Re: $$$ I really don't know, but I know that some rich guy (doesn't even have to be a billionaire) needs to buy DC United and help get us to the next level as well!
Good article from Sean Wheelock on new investors www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=1691918