I have not closely followed other expansion teams. So, I am wondering what the time line will be if all goes as planned. Here is my guess, please update and adjust based on other teams and best guesses. March 2008 Philadelphia Announced as MLS team 16 September 2008 Groundbreaking on stadium, condominiums, etc. January 2009 Expansion Draft January 2009 Full team announced Summer 2009 First Professional Development Camp held near stadium September 2009 Season Tickets go on sale (sold out in four days!!) November 2009 Stadium complete and ready for first match January 2010 Final team selected in draft February 2010 Team holds friendly/exhibition match in (England? Italy?) March 2010 First home match kick off Some other things that could be included are a major friendly held prior to the opening MLS match, an open tryout for local players, naming of coach, key players, etc. My main interest is that I want to know when season tickets go on sale so I can get my four tickets early.
Spring 08 - Expansion announcement may be preceeded by season ticket drive. June 08 - Stadium construction begins Nov 08 - Sons of Ben trip to MLS Cup - Team brand announced Dec 08 - Retail, residential, and office construction begins Jan 09 - Sons of Ben trip to MLS SuperDraft in St. Louis Jun 09 - Youth program goes live fielding rep teams from u12 to u18 Sep 09 - Open tryouts Nov 09 - Sons of Ben trip to MLS Cup Nov 09 - Expansion draft Dec 09 - Stadium complete Jan 10 - MLS SuperDraft in Philly - 2,000+ Philly fans in attendance for team's first draft Mar 10 - Philadelphia Athletic plays in Carolina Cup in Charleston, SC Mar 10 - Home Opener v Red Bull New York - SRO Sellout of 23,000
Asses, The Carolina Cup would be preseason in mid-March and I would imagine the home opener being March 27th on ABC.
Just out of curiosity, where are you getting the 23,000 sellout? I thought we had been hearing about 18,500. Have you heard there will be standing room of some kind from your conversations with ownership? Just as a guess, 18,500 seems small for Philadelphia. Indications (and they are early) are that we could do better than Toronto.
It is my understanding that just like Chicago, we will have the ability to bring in additional seating when needed.
"Spring 08 - Expansion announcement may be preceeded by season ticket drive" Bryan, Should we be preparing to plunk down our deposits in the Spring?
We Charleston Battery fans host close to a 1000 SoBs at three monster tailgates, enjoying a repeat of 2008 menu; Fogmore Stew, Shrimp and Grits, and Boiled Peanuts all washed down with local brews; Mobius Infused lager and a fine selection of brews from Coast Brewing Company Good luck guys