I kinda had forgotten about ELAC. That doesn't seem like the worst temporary situation, possibly with an ability to convert until long term (with renos and some type of deal), it might be ideal as a long run slightly HIspanic oriented team.
I personally think they should rebrand the team Los Angeles Barons or Los Angeles Stars, ASAP. Those would be two really good names for the soccer club, or I personally like LAX FC or LAX SC. I just think Los Angeles FC or Los Angeles SC is not that inspired for a choice but they should honestly ask the Chivas USA season ticket holders and supporters what they want. MLS should really look into promoting the new owner right now and get a 5-year extended lease with club opt-out options each year at StubHub Center. I wouldn't be surprised if the Miami deal falls-apart that Beckham United LLC will own Chivas USA, possibly while recruiting Oscar De La Hoya and allow AEG to sell the Galaxy to the Guggenheim Partners while owning Houston Dynamo 100%. MLS would finally have single-entity owners across the board. I think Miami can possibly lose the 23rd expansion team and allow MLS too look at all the angles towards 2020, at that point you would think Indy Eleven, Minnesota United FC, Sacramento Republic FC & San Antonio Scorpions would be the favorites for 23 & 24. Personally I would go with Minnesota & Sacramento getting the expansion teams.
I actually always thought a pseudo-spanish wouldn't be awful. I was thinking something like the Angelinos or Angelinos SC. It's obviously got a Spanish element while being open to other groups. I believe that's the denonym for people in LA. Bascially, I think a team that still attempts to represent some element of Mexican heritage in the city wouldn't be awful, especially if they play in East LA.
A well run , well funded team would be a hit in the IE especially if it was downtown Riverside. But I don't think a new ownership group goes there. Or the OC ...... I think Chivas is seen by MLS as a team that needs a facility near downtown LA in order to thrive. I still think the brand is so damaged they should be sold for relocation, with the other half of LA market left vacant for proper expansion. Ostensibly MLS thinks otherwise.
They really only have one choice. Weingart Stadium. It seats 20k and could be up and running for 2015. They would probably need to sink $5-10 million into it, but that's cheaper than a temp stadium ala Vancouver. The potential issues are alcohol sales and the apartments across the street. The only other choice that would be feasible is Titan Stadium. It's only 10k (which is double what they're drawing now) and it's no where near downtown. It is soccer specific and it's a pretty kickass setting.
I'm with you Weingart would be excellent. But I think it's too late for a deal done by 2015. It's owned by a college district and those kind of organizations move at a glacial pace. Fullerton is too far. And too small unless the OC is Chivas final destination. I don't envision any new owner going there ..... But who knows .....
The same group that helped the wizards revamp should come in to present a new product in LA. Bubba is right I have been going to Chivas games since their inception and we used to pull large crowds consistently. Everyone loves novelty so they'll come out for a new thing, quality futbol, some big names, and sound ownership will keep them coming. Look at Toronto for instance. Came out blazing, huge crowds, beautiful stadium, some decent names but recent seasons saw a huge drop in attendance. Ownership was smart enough to throw big money at Defoe and attendance is coming back up. LA is way too big not to have 2teams. LA and Southern California is a soccer hotbed. Too many potential fans
Seen some CHIVAS games at Titan. Not a bad temporary spot and with a facelift on the north and south ends it could probably seat 16K. Build up some momentum while they build the USC SSS
I remember parking being a nightmare for Galaxy US Open Cup games way back (early 2000s), did they ever figure that out? That being said, I'm pretty sure the Clippers aren't actually sold yet..
Is the knock down the LA Sports Arena and build a SSS still a possibility? Haven't heard anything about this in a while.
I kept it out, because it would have been too many colors. Here it is though. It has both the Mexican heritage and the Spanish heritage from the seal(just the design of the castle's side).