I have heard on more than one occasion that if the Crew fails to improve, then attendance will drop and they will move the team to somewhere else. I have no idea why this keeps coming up. Of the teams that have moved or like in Florida, just up and died, none of them had their own stadium. The fact that we have a stadium should be proof enough of HSG's intention to stay here. I think HSG realises that if attendance is down, then it is due to them and not to the fan base in the area. And, it will always be that way.
Apparently we're going to build a brand new training facility too. The Crew isn't going anywhere (except to Los Angeles in November!)
I've seen it mentioned too. But only on these boards and usually from people in other parts of the country trying to move this team to where they live. People envy what Columbus has. I'm sure it will take alot more than one losing season. I'd be more worried if I were a team like Kansas City. Who had the worst att in the league. KC 11,586 COL 14,749 CD Chivas 14,305 Crew 15,230 So if we wanna play the attendence game then I guess 3 other teams have to move as well. I wouldn't if I were you. As long as you keep supporting this team and it wins I doubt you have a single thing to worry about. I didnt check the whole league just teams I know to have problems attracting fans compared to others so I may have missed a team.
Problem being, we're not winning. At all. As far as winning tradition, fan base, and growth potential go, the only team we have a case against is Colorado, the Columbus of the West.
This shows that you can't plant soccer teams anywhere you want. Obviously Columbus isn't a soccer town so it was a dumb idea to begin with. The teams that are doing well are the ones that have large hispanic populations and other foreigners. Such as DC, LA, Chicago, NY, Houston... Columbus and Colorado are the worse spots. Might as well put one in Tennessee. haha
This shows you have no idea what you are talking about. Columbus will support a team but the FO is as poor as organization as I have ever seen or dealt with. They treat the fans as ATMs and for years did not care what they put on the field. As far as the league you can break it into three categories. There is Houston and NE, the best coached teams that make the best with what they have. There is NY,Chi,DC, LA, CHV who get whatever they want whenever they want it. Then there is the rest of league that exists to support group two. But to say Columbus was a dumb idea makes me think you are clueless to the history of the team and league.
Baloney. Columbus has one heck of a soccer scene for a city its size. Per capita, we blow away those cities in terms of attendance. LA should be selling out every game. And New York has some embarassing attendances considering the city size and its ethnic population". We've pretty much had the worst team in MLS the past 3 years. Try that in any of your beloved "soccer towns" and see how many are showing up after 3 years. Put a quality team on the field and the fans will come back.
I am intrigued by that last bit. It seems to imply that something has changed. Well, we're at 3 and counting... Sigh... I just need to stay away from here, and come out for the games. It's funny -- I'm not at all sanguine about our prospects for this season, quite pessimistic in fact. Yet I can't wait for that first match. It's a condition.
So, did the fact that Denver has a hispanic population that totals 35-40% of the overall escape you, or what?
I really don't think that the Crew will be moving, with the stage being built shows me that they will stay. You don't spend that kind of money then just leave. I would really like to know is, does the crew get to keep the money from the concerts or does the Fairgrounds? I have also read that we might get to see a World Cup qualifier.
Uh, New York is doing well? They've got some of the worst attendances in the league! They're not doing very well for a team that's located in the biggest city and surrounded by the most soccer fans.
Ouch. Are we putting down Tennessee? Last I knew, no body from there was trying to take your team. Don't hate.
That's a misleading question. Naturally any small market well have less diversity from more worldly cities. The small markets in leagues like the NFL and NBA have some of the most loyal fanbases. In soccer's case, such a thing takes time.
Would you be so kind as to explain Chivas USA's attendance, then? When the Crew were winning (and not championships, just playing decent soccer, winning games at home), they were one of the best attended clubs in MLS. Crew fans have been sold a bill of good the last few years, and they're sick of it.
I don't believe the crew are in jeopordy of moving any time soon. I do believe if things haven't turned around drastically in the next 3-5 years, the Crew will be the "19th" franschise in the league. There are not too many businesses that someone will offer you $40 million to walk from a money losing cashflow dump. Sports teams being the exception.
The Crew will not be moving anytime soon. Lamar Hunt did his research. Just ask Tommy Hampton. Saying that though management does need to invest in quality players and that means throwing the money around for short and long term games.
People talk about what the Crew is willing to spend on their team. That they are cheap and just want to take in the money. Well, having spent the money on the stadium, I would say that they have probably held their own on most teams. The questions that need to be answered in that regard are how much have they spent vs how much they have made. If they had already paid off the stadium and were rolling in the dough and still did not spend money to get the best roster possible, then ok. But, that is, and should clearly be, not the case.