The Week 17 numbers look like this…
| 5 year comparison | ||||||||
| Week 17 | 129 GP | YTD | ||||||
| Avg | +/- | GP | Avg | +/- | Avg | +/- | GP | |
| 2006 | 16,028 | 7 | 15,592 | 14,698 | 113 | |||
| 2007 | 13,974 | -12.82% | 4 | 15,830 | 1.53% | 15,005 | 2.08% | 111 |
| 2008 | 23,000 | 64.59% | 5 | 16,596 | 4.84% | 17,493 | 16.58% | 116 |
| 2009 | 19,313 | -16.03% | 6 | 15,525 | -6.45% | 15,743 | -10.00% | 124 |
| 2010 | 21,368 | 10.64% | 5 | 16,671 | 7.38% | 16,671 | 5.89% | 129 |
| YTD – 129 Games | ||||
| Average | Median | %<10K | %>20k | |
| 2006 | 15,592 | 13,016 | 22.48% | 17.83% |
| 2007 | 15,830 | 14,203 | 10.85% | 23.26% |
| 2008 | 16,596 | 15,371 | 10.85% | 26.36% |
| 2009 | 15,525 | 14,516 | 14.73% | 19.38% |
| 2010 | 16,671 | 14,389 | 8.53% | 21.71% |
Here are the attendance comparisons to 2009:
| MLS Attendance – Equal # of Home Games | |||||||
| 2009 | 2010 | ||||||
| Att | Cap % | Att | Att +/- | GP | Cap % | Cap | |
| Seattle | 29,984 | 92.54% | 36,159 | 20.59% | 10 | 101.86% | 35,500 |
| Philadelphia | NA | NA | 22,614 | NA | 5 | 85.99% | 18,500 |
| Toronto | 20,198 | 91.90% | 20,494 | 1.47% | 9 | 93.25% | 21,978 |
| LA Galaxy | 19,128 | 70.84% | 20,315 | 6.21% | 8 | 75.24% | 27,000 |
| Real Salt Lake | 16,353 | 78.61% | 16,632 | 1.70% | 9 | 86.00% | 19,340 |
| N.Y./N.J. Red Bulls | 11,385 | 45.20% | 16,277 | 42.97% | 8 | 64.62% | 25,189 |
| Houston | 15,632 | 69.48% | 16,003 | 2.37% | 9 | 71.12% | 22,500 |
| D.C. United | 15,193 | 67.53% | 14,949 | -1.61% | 9 | 66.44% | 22,500 |
| Chicago | 12,640 | 63.20% | 14,778 | 16.91% | 7 | 73.89% | 20,000 |
| ChivasUSA | 15,625 | 57.87% | 14,451 | -7.52% | 7 | 53.52% | 27,000 |
| Columbus Crew | 13,114 | 65.57% | 13,984 | 6.63% | 10 | 69.92% | 20,000 |
| Colorado Rapids | 13,045 | 72.13% | 13,589 | 4.17% | 7 | 75.14% | 18,086 |
| NE Revolution | 13,088 | 58.17% | 11,797 | -9.87% | 8 | 52.43% | 22,500 |
| FC Dallas | 8,679 | 40.95% | 11,231 | 29.41% | 8 | 52.99% | 21,193 |
| KC Wizards | 9,789 | 94.26% | 10,006 | 2.22% | 8 | 96.35% | 10,385 |
| San Jose | 11,774 | 56.32% | 9,515 | -19.19% | 7 | 92.38% | 10,300 |
My disclaimer about the capacity calculations
For my calculations, I’ve taken the 3 teams playing in Amercan football stadiums, DCU in RFK, Houston in Robertson and New England in Foxboro and assigned maximum capacities at 22,500. I took the 22,500 number from an approximate average of the soccer specific stadiums in use.
- Philly’s first two home games were played at Lincoln Financial Field. The announced capacity for the Union was published as 38,000 and will be calculated as such.
- San Jose’s 4th match in 2009 was at Oakland Alameda Coliseum and drew over 15,800.
Observations
A short schedule began with a bit over 17,700 at the HDC on Thursday for the California Clash, or whatever the hell they’re calling it. Toronto just about filled the house. Yeah, no surprise there. And another ‘no surprise’ was the sub 14,000 turning out for the Crew. Salt Lake had a terrific crowd of nearly 19,500 and on Sunday Seattle filled the house with over 36,300.
Rookie Watch: Sorry, but I didn’t get to watch any MLS as I was in Kansas for the USASA U23 National Cup, which was won by an excellent Chicago Fire club.
Week 17 Games Los Angeles 2 LA – Official Blog San Jose 2 San Jose Center Line Soccer Toronto 1 TFC Connected FC Dallas 1 3rd Degree – Buzz Carrick Columbus 3 Columbus Dispatch – Crew XTra Houston 0 Soccer y Fútbol – Jose de Jesus Ortiz Real Salt Lake 1 RSL – Behind the Shield Chivas USA 1 Chicago Fire Confidential Seattle 2 Seattle Times Colorado 1 Undercurrent GP W D L GF GA GFA GAA PPG PTS GD Los Angeles 18 12 4 2 29 10 1.61 0.56 2.22 40 19 Columbus 17 10 4 3 25 13 1.47 0.76 2.00 34 12 Real Salt Lake 17 9 4 4 29 14 1.71 0.82 1.82 31 15 Dallas 16 6 8 2 20 14 1.25 0.88 1.63 26 6 NY Red Bull 16 8 2 6 18 19 1.13 1.19 1.63 26 -1 Colorado 16 6 5 5 18 16 1.13 1.00 1.44 23 2 San Jose 15 6 5 4 20 18 1.33 1.20 1.53 23 2 Toronto FC 16 6 5 5 19 18 1.19 1.13 1.44 23 1 Seattle 18 6 4 8 20 25 1.11 1.39 1.22 22 -5 Houston 17 5 4 8 21 25 1.24 1.47 1.12 19 -4 Chicago 14 4 5 5 18 19 1.29 1.36 1.21 17 -1 Kansas City 16 4 4 8 13 20 0.81 1.25 1.00 16 -7 Chivas USA 16 4 3 9 18 22 1.13 1.38 0.94 15 -4 Philadelphia 14 4 2 8 18 26 1.29 1.86 1.00 14 -8 New England 15 4 2 9 15 26 1.00 1.73 0.93 14 -11 DC United 17 3 3 11 12 28 0.71 1.65 0.71 12 -16
Streaking
- RSL are unbeaten in their last 19 regular season home games.
- Houston are winless in their last 7 games.
- Dallas are unbeaten in their last 7 games.
- Dallas are also unbeaten in their last 7 road games.
- Toronto are unbeaten in their last 16 regular season home games(7 in ’09).
- Los Angeles are unbeaten in their last 11 regular season home games(3 in ’09).
MLS Throw Ins
- There have been 32 draws compared to 44 in ’09 thru the first 129 matches.
- There have been 80 clean sheets in the first 129 matches, counting scoreless draws as 2.
- Through 129 games: goal scoring is down around 5.4% from 2009, 2.43 vs 2.57.
- RSL has lost only twice in its last 38 home matches. They lost only once in ’08 and ’09, a feat matched by Houston.
N.A. SuperLiga
The participants in the 2010 N.A. SuperLiga and their respective finishes in the last completed season are …
MLS FMF Houston 3 UNAM Pumas 4 Chicago 5 Monarchas Morelia 7 Chivas USA 6 Pachuca 8 New England 7 Puebla 13 N.A. SuperLiga Chicago(1) v Monarchas Morelia(5) Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL Wed, Jul 14 New England(1) v Pumas UNAM(0) Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA Wed, Jul 14 Houston(2) v Pachuca(1) Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX Thu, Jul 15 ChivasUSA(1) v Puebla(2) Home Depot Center, LA, CA Thu, Jul 15 Chicago(0) v New England(1)
Morelia(2) v Pumas(2)Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL Sat, Jul 17 Houston(1) v Chivas USA(1)
Pachuca(1) v Puebla(3)Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX Sun, Jul 18 Chicago(1) v Pumas(0) Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL Tue, Jul 20 New England(1) v Morelia(0) Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA Tue, Jul 20 Houston(1) v Puebla(0) Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX Wed, July 21 ChivasUSA(1) v Pachuca(0) Home Depot Center, LA, CA Wed, July 21 N.A. SuperLiga Group A W D L Pts GD Houston 2 1 0 7 2 Puebla 2 0 1 6 2 Chivas USA 1 1 1 4 0 Pachuca 0 0 3 0 -5 Group B W D L Pts GD New England 3 0 0 9 3 Monarchas Morelia 1 1 1 4 3 Chicago 1 0 2 3 -4 UNAM Pumas 0 1 2 1 -2 SuperLiga after Group Phase Total Game Dates Average 2007 195,816 12 16,318 2008 161,167 12 13,431 2009 86,948 10 8,695 2010 104,803 10 10,480 2 Doubleheaders in 2009 and 2010 meant
2 fewer separate game datesThe semifinals are set with New England playing Puebla on Aug 4 and Houston playing Morelia on Aug 5.
Congestion Time
The time stretches below start and end with a full week(minimum) between games at the front and back end.
- In a 29 day stretch, Houston and ChivasUSA will play 9 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.
- In a 24 day stretch, Chicago will play 7 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.
- In a 24 day stretch, New England will play 6 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.
In 4th round action, Columbus(MLS) defeated Charleston(USL-2), ChivasUSA(MLS) defeated Houston(MLS) and Seattle(MLS) defeated Los Angeles(MLS).
The winner will compete in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.DC United(MLS) defeated Harrisburg(USL-2) in the last 4th round match. Harrisburg earned $10,000 for being the USL-2 club that advanced the furthest. Their outright win over RBNY was the tiebreaker over Charleston that required PK’s to down Chicago.
In the semifinals, Columbus will play DC United on Sept 1, 7:30 p.m. ET @ RFK Stadium, Wash, DC and Seattle will play ChivasUSA on Sept 1, 10 p.m. ET @ Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, WA.
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup structure
Summer of Soccer Attendances Opponents Venue Date Event Att Manchester City v RBNY
Tottenham v Sporting LisbonRed Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ Sun, July 25 Barclays NY
Challenge23,228 Manchester Utd v KC Arrowhead Stadium, KC, MO Sun, July 25 Friendly 52,424 Portsmouth v DCU RFK Stadium, Washington, DC Sat, July 24 Friendly 8,987 Sporting Lisbon v Manchester City Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ Sat, July 24 Barclays NY
Challenge13,586 RBNY v Tottenham Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ Thu, July 22 Barclays NY
Challenge20,312 Rangers v Sporting Lisbon Fenway Park, Boston, MA Wed, July 21 Friendly 32,162 Man U v PHL Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA Wed, July 21 Friendly 44,213 Bolton v TFC BMO Field, Toronto Wed, July 21 Friendly 19,507 Portsmouth v Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, ALB Wed, July 21 Friendly 8,792 Houston v Puebla Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX Wed, July 21 SuperLiga 10,033 ChivasUSA v Pachuca Home Depot Center, LA, CA Wed, July 21 SuperLiga 14,817 Chicago v Pumas Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL Tue, July 20 SuperLiga 9,429 NE v Morelia Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA Tue, July 20 SuperLiga 8,173 total 265,663 average 20,436
Those numbers are really impressive for the week. Hopefully they stay up. I hope Philly and KC’s numbers improve based on their showing against ManU, and I hope that New York improves after showing up well at the Barcalay Challenge and signing 2DPs.
Well, as for Philly, PPL Park seats 18,500. Thus far, (knock on wood) its been a virtual sell out every home game. There is always room for improvement, but for a new team the Union’s attendance is great! Hopefully, it will continue into next season and years to come (but one never knows).
Wow, if I read his right, your season average is a whopping 16,671 per game! that is a really big number. I think its a rookie mistake to tie the popularity of Soccer explicitly to the attendance of MLS, but it surely shows the game is growing in America and the fans are recognising the better standard of play(I catch a couple of games on ESPN-OZ) It gives me hope that the A-League can eventually break out of its plateau in crowd figures experienced over the last 2-3 seasons and perhaps on the back of a big event(A better Socceroos performance in Brazil 2014 & we’re odds-on to host the Asian Cup in 2015)we can get a flow on effect to boost our crowd average up beyond the current 10,000 odd…well don USA Soccer fans! Don’t let the indifference shown by ESPN and other media out lets get you down. It seems like progress is being made in spite of the obstacles in your way.
PS: I imagine things will only continue to improve with the addition of Portland and Vancouver to MLS next year!Big 4, p-shaw!!, it’ll be big 5 before you know it!
Have to like that average attendance number for the year so far. Showing a larger number than two years ago is a plus in the down economy.
Not certain that the numbers out of New York for the recent tournament are all of what they should be. With the Henry signing you would have thought a packed house would have been in order but it was not the case.
Except for Man U. does any find the numbers for the Summer of Soccer a bit of just ok. could more have been expected?
The Sounders started no one that usually starts and I found the whole thing a little boring when they played Celtic…until the end.
It is a necessary evil, as the Sounders probably banked a million or so, which is obviously needed.
Kasey,
Yes, you read it correctly. No doubt the league has chosen well when it expanded to Toronto, Seattle, Salt Lake(a surprise) and Philadelphia. They are 4 of the top 5 teams in attendance.
We can choose to ignore ESPN’s indifference, but I am one that believes that in order to take the ‘next step’, MLS needs a lot more TV revenue. Then you can bring in top players and keep domestic talent from going overseas.
And you are correct, a strong Socceroos performance will bring more attention to the league. Slow and steady has been working here for 15 years.
eplnfl,
Yes, RBNY numbers have been disappointing. We’ll see once Henry plays in league matches, and if the Marquez signing is real, how he effects the gate.
They have announced that the LA match is sold out.
As for the Summer of Soccer, we got a bit spoiled last year. Lots of international friendlies in prep for the World Cup and on a club level, visits by Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Barcelona. Man City, Celtic, Sporting Lisbon and Portsmouth simply don’t have the same drawing power. Perhaps a sign of an increasingly discriminating US soccer consumer.
Uh. And the fact that people are broke.
I agree on the news on the attendance front, it needs to translate into TV numbers. Some huge number of males have never been to an NFL game. All the money comes from TV.
Almost all of the gains unfortunately come from expanded stadium of QWest and two extra games played by Seattle.
Without that, I show the average to be 15,895 ( about 250 per game more ).
Not too much, but gains are gains….
Charles: 2 extra games and some more seats released for sale by SSFC could acount for the increase, but the fact is, people still have to buy the tickets to the new seats and the 2 extra game increased cost of a ST.. in a ‘down economy’ it says something that these tix were bought and that the league as a whole has positive attendance trend(exempting DC – terrible season on the pitch, Chivas, NE and San Jose) I don’t know what the excuses are for the last 3 teams mentioned, but even if we accept your worst case interpretation of the stats, the league has positive trends, which is a remarkable thing when you consider the amount of ‘talking heads’ out there who consistently try to tell America and the World that the USA just isn’t a ‘soccer nation’