I'd also argue that the LA Galaxy stadium is early MLS 2.0, even though it was the second new SSS built. Crew Stadium was cheap. And the stadiums built by Dallas, Chicago and Colorado were essentially modest quantitative upgrades on that. What AEG built in Carson was a qualitative improvement on Crew Stadium. Others might disagree. But, hey, that's why we have a discussion board.
Also BMO has had the most substantial changes and renovations from what it was at opening compared to any other MLS-built stadium.
Thanks for the correction. What was I thinking here? Well, at least that makes for a neater MLS 1.0/2.0 line on the stadiums. Though Carson is nicer than Crew stadium, Frisco, Dick's, etc. Per Wiki, construction costs: 1) Crew stadium: $28.5 mil. There were some upgrades to the site (with some public funds, but I cannot find the $ amount). 2) Home Depot: stadium $87 mil, complex $150 + 2017 Chargers upgrades. 3) Toyota stadium: $80 mil + $55 mil in 2018. 4) Seat Geek: $98 million. 5) Dick's: $64.5 mil. 6) BMO: $62.9 mil (Can$) + $5.5 mil in 2010 + $120 mil in 2014-2016. Someone else will have to correct for inflation. 7) Rio Tinto: $110 mil. 8) Red Bull: $200 mil. IDK where you want to draw the line. After Dicks. After BMO. After Rio Tinto? RBA was certainly a new dawn, though. I'd go: 0) Pre- MLS: Lockhart 1) MLS 1.0: Crew stadium, Home Depot, Toyota Stadium, Toyota Park, Dick's. 2) MLS 1.5: BMO, Rio Tinto. 3) MLS 2.0: Red Bull Arena onward
Red Bull Arena was followed by Stade Saputo, Subaru Park, BBVA Stadium, Children's Mercy Park and Paypal Park. Exploria Stadium in Orlando was the start of phase 3. The downtown "traditional" (Populous speak) soccer stadium with a large standing section behind one goal with a fancy name and 4 steep sided stands, most of which were designed with a smaller capacity to sell out (remember Orlando was expanded at the last minute). And now we have the 3.5 which is similar but with a bigger capacity. Nashville, Cincinnati, NYC, Miami Freedom and we'll see what happens in Boston.
New York City FC II will make an upgrade to their stadium situation. https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/nycfc-ii-to-play-on-randalls-island/ Better location, facility and now grass field! Probably the new emergency home for the senior team as well.
Randall's Island sounds about right for NYCFC II. For the MLS team, not so much. The size of the expansion at Icahn should be determined by the size of crowd that can leave Randall's Island after a game on three roads, one on the small section of the Triborough to Manhattan, one on the small section of the Triborough Bridge to the Bronx and one on the main section of the Triborough Bridge to Queens. I don't know what is the largest crowd those three roads can handle without a massive traffic jam, but I'm guessing less than 10,000.
Horrible place to get to from Manhattan. Driving you go through the toll booth, pay $7 and immediately exit the bridge. Subway you have to get to 125th then walk 3 blocks through probably the scariest remaining part of Manhattan, then get a bus that comes every 20 minutes but can often be delayed 5 or 10 minutes just trying to cross First Avenue. Alternatively you continue walking a mile or so, along a narrow bridge bike/walking path, with high walls, no visibility or surveillance cameras, make a dodgy exit, walk across some deserted fields then make your way to the stadium entrance. I used to run there and go to Diamond League events.
5,000 for the Diamond League was bad enough and that's with people wandering in and out over several hours.
Actually, it wouldn't have been good enough for Pele. Too small. When he played at Randall's Island with the Cosmos, it was at Downing Stadium, a 22,000-seat horseshoe (with all the amenities of a real horseshoe) that was torn down in 2002. The traffic jams after Cosmos games there in 1975 were horrendous.
Certainly not a good primary home for the team, for the reasons mentioned above. I also remember this stadium being discussed and dismissed as a potential option back in the pre-RBA days as a site for the Metros, as well as during the Cosmos revival era. However, it HAS to be a better option than East Hartford or Los Angeles as an option of last resort.
I'd personally prefer over RBA, mainly because it would be kind of "our" stadium as opposed to being allowed to play in enemy territory. Plus, I love an adventure. Playing a competitive match in such a gritty environment would be memorable and fun.... probably just once though!
Just going to make a quick comment on New England's future stadium. As a pure outsider, who has been to Boston a bunch of times, a downtown stadium there would have all the feels. Boston has a vibe unlike any other city and just the thought of making a road trip to Boston for a match in a downtown stadium is really exciting. I had extended family who lived just 10-12 minutes from Foxboro several years ago, and there isn't anything wrong with that stadium, but there would be so much more that is right with a downtown stadium. Good on Boston, and this hits me as a huge plus for the MLS. Now I'll shut up, mind my own business, and go back to the work my boss thinks I'm doing.
Us Revs fans are in the "cautiously optimistic" stage, since they have been talking about it since 2006, and it's become a running joke. But, like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown, there is hope that some day it will actually happen. Someone said a while back that Nashville was too big at 30k, and in hindsight, they should have built it for 25k. One of the Revs FO personnel was at our tailgate Saturday and I mentioned that they should build it at 30k instead of the proposed 25k. The thing is, that may be true right now, but by the time this place actually opens it's doors it will be at least 7-8 years. Given how the sport and MLS have grown in recent years, 25k will be too small. And we'll end up paying $85 for fort tickets!
NYC stadium ground breaking set for this fall. Took a while to find this but I figured no way they were building it and no one was reporting the progress. Developers to break ground on MLS stadium in Willets Point early fall https://qns.com/2024/07/developers-willets-point-project-mls-stadium-break-ground-early-fall/
An update on Inter Miami Freedom Park. Yes it’s slow going. https://worldsoccertalk.com/amp/news/mls-new-inter-miami-stadium-wont-be-ready-for-messi-in-2025/
RIP Revs Stadium ⚽️ ☠️The economic development bill that reclassified land in Everett to allow a new stadium for the @NERevolution failed early today in the legislature as the House and Senate could not reach a deal.On to next time ... https://t.co/VVAhDy28Ow— Bill Speros (@billsperos) August 1, 2024 Another one bites the dust.
Looking at the photo and the age of the politicians, makes me think in my head the the guy on the left use to be the guy on the right when this started so many years ago.