After week 27 the numbers look like this…
| 5 year comparison | ||||||||
| WK 27 | 190 GP | YTD | ||||||
| Avg | +/- | GP | Avg | +/- | Avg | +/- | GP | |
| 2005 | 18,227 | 6 | 15,033 | 14,938 | 177 | |||
| 2006 | 18,083 | -0.79% | 6 | 15,463 | 2.86% | 15,116 | 1.19% | 180 |
| 2007 | 18,241 | 0.87% | 7 | 16,699 | 8.00% | 16,593 | 9.77% | 181 |
| 2008 | 15,291 | -16.17% | 7 | 16,379 | -1.92% | 16,814 | 1.33% | 181 |
| 2009 | 16,844 | 10.15% | 7 | 15,752 | -3.83% | 15,741 | -6.38% | 190 |
| YTD – 190 Games | ||||
| Average | Median | %<10K | %>20k | |
| 2005 | 15,033 | 12,565 | 27.37% | 17.37% |
| 2006 | 15,463 | 14,113 | 18.95% | 18.95% |
| 2007 | 16,699 | 15,174 | 8.42% | 28.95% |
| 2008 | 16,379 | 15,037 | 11.58% | 25.26% |
| 2009 | 15,752 | 14,525 | 15.26% | 18.95% |
Here are the attendance comparisons to 2008′s equal number of home games(190):
| MLS Attendance – Equal # of Home Games | |||||||
| 2008 | 2009 | ||||||
| Att | Cap | Att | Att +/- | GP | Cap | Cap | |
| Seattle | 0 | 0.00% | 30,739 | NA | 14 | 94.87% | 32,400 |
| Toronto | 20,110 | 91.50% | 20,324 | 1.07% | 13 | 92.47% | 21,978 |
| LA Galaxy | 25,856 | 95.76% | 19,812 | -23.38% | 13 | 73.38% | 27,000 |
| Real Salt Lake | 15,773 | 77.50% | 16,208 | 2.76% | 13 | 76.04% | 19,340 |
| Houston | 16,261 | 72.27% | 16,107 | -0.95% | 13 | 71.59% | 22,500 |
| ChivasUSA | 15,253 | 56.49% | 15,673 | 2.75% | 11 | 58.05% | 27,000 |
| D.C. United | 19,402 | 86.23% | 15,542 | -19.90% | 12 | 69.07% | 22,500 |
| San Jose | 14,205 | 88.73% | 14,782 | 4.06% | 13 | 78.36% | 10,300 |
| Chicago | 17,480 | 87.40% | 14,300 | -18.19% | 13 | 71.50% | 20,000 |
| Columbus Crew | 13,848 | 69.24% | 13,714 | -0.97% | 12 | 68.57% | 20,000 |
| NE Revolution | 17,751 | 78.89% | 13,221 | -25.52% | 12 | 58.76% | 22,500 |
| Colorado Rapids | 13,565 | 75.00% | 12,476 | -8.02% | 13 | 68.98% | 18,086 |
| N.Y./N.J. Red Bulls | 15,741 | 62.49% | 11,861 | -24.65% | 14 | 47.09% | 25,189 |
| KC Wizards | 10,881 | 104.78% | 10,042 | -7.72% | 12 | 96.69% | 10,385 |
| FC Dallas | 13,494 | 63.67% | 9,311 | -31.00% | 12 | 43.94% | 21,193 |
My disclaimer about the capacity calculations
Observations
Week 27 games drew 16,844. The penultimate game at Giants stadium(huzzah, only 1 more to go) drew just under 11,000. San Jose, with new ‘stadium rumors’ in the air, had a sellout. Seattle packed the house as usual. And the Wizards sold out as well. Over 18,100 came out to Robertson in Houston and the Home Depot Center. Rainy weather couldn’t keep over 16,000 from watching the east’s top teams clash.
Player notes:
- Chicago sign Costa Rican defender Myrie.
- Dynamo/Wizards Swap Forwards.
- Heath Pearce signs with FC Dallas, Sanchez Out..
- FC Dallas’ Wallace Out for Season, Purdy Back In..
- RBNY Releases Pacheco.
- Steve Goff Reports: “D.C. United actived midfielder-forward Boyzzz Khumalo, who is still recovering from a broken wrist and subsequent infection, and placed Ely Allen, Ange N’Silu (hamstring) and Greg Janicki (back) on the unavailable list, which means they are eligible to play in CONCACAF matches only. Allen’s demotion cleared roster space for Khumalo, who probably won’t be able to play for a few more weeks.”
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Earthquakes terminate da Silva’s contract.
Week 27 Games RBNY 1 Red Bulls Reader New England 1 Revolution Soccer San Jose 1 San Jose Center Line Soccer Colorado 1 Undercurrent Seattle 0 Seattle Times Chivas USA 0 Chivas USA – MLSNet Kansas City 3 Kansas City – Hillcrest Road FC Dallas 2 3rd Degree – Buzz Carrick Houston 3 Soccer y Fútbol – Barnard Fallas Real Salt Lake 2 RSL – Behind the Shield Los Angeles 2 LA – Official Blog Toronto 0 TFC Connected Chicago 2 Chicago Fire Confidential Columbus 2 Columbus Dispatch – Crew XTra
So How Are They Doing?Points after 190 Games Pts GP PPG GD H/A Columbus 43 25 1.72 10 2/3 Houston 43 27 1.59 9 2/1 Los Angeles 41 26 1.58 4 2/2 Chicago 40 26 1.54 5 2/2 Seattle 38 26 1.46 7 1/3 Colorado 37 25 1.48 8 3/2 Chivas USA 37 24 1.54 1 4/2 DC United 36 26 1.38 1 3/1 Real Salt Lake 34 26 1.31 7 2/2 New England 34 24 1.42 -4 3/3 Toronto FC 34 26 1.31 -5 2/2 Kansas City 30 25 1.20 -6 3/2 Dallas 27 25 1.08 -2 3/2 San Jose 21 23 0.91 -13 3/4 NY Red Bull 17 26 0.65 -22 1/3
A great time of year. Every game had playoff implications. No eliminations this week and no team has clinched a playoff berth as yet.New England must feel like they missed an opportunity to move closer to the playoffs by only taking one point against the Red Bulls. But they were helped out as RSL lost and the Rapids were only able to take a single point in their matches. The Revs still have 1 or 2 games in hand on the teams they’re looking to displace for a playoff slot. Seattle seems vulnerable having scored only 3 goals in its last 7 games and with 3 of its last 4 on the road, but with a 4 point cushion over the playoff wannabes, they just might make it. The Wizards’ win over FC Dallas kept their slim hopes alive and pretty well dashed the Texan team’s dream of a miracle playoff run. The Galaxy did what playoff teams are supposed to do, that is, win at home as they kept TFC from moving into the top eight. Columbus is in the driver’s seat to take its 2nd consecutive Supporters’ Shield and the berth in the CONCACAF Champions League that comes with it.
I figured now would be a good time to roll out the top 3 tiebreakers.(MLS 2009 Rules of Competition)
- The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current regular season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition)
- If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the regular season. (goal differential)
- If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team scoring the greatest number of total goals against all other teams during the regular season. (total goals)
Streaking
- LA is unbeaten in 6 road games.
- Columbus(12 games) are unbeaten at home.
- FC Dallas has won 4 straight at home.
- RBNY and San Jose are winless on the road.
- Colorado has not won on the road in 6(2 draws).
- TFC has not lost home in 5 straight.
- RSL is unbeaten in 8 home games.
- Seattle is scoreless in last 4 home games.
MLS In CONCACAF Champions LeagueIn Group A, Houston lost a tough match at Pachuca, but now has 2 of its final 3 matches at home, vs group leaders Árabe Unido and Pachuca. DC United got a lifeline in Group B this week by getting its first win coupled with Toluca’s win over Marathón. They also finish with two of three matches at home, but they play their last match at Toluca, who are currently leading the Mexican Primera. Then there’s Columbus, sitting pretty in 2nd place in Group C after being the first MLS club to take a win at Saprissa. They also play 2 of their last 3 at home.
CONCACAF Champions League A w d l pts diff Arabe Unido(PAN) 2 1 0 7 3 Pachuca(MEX) 2 0 1 6 5 Houston(USA) 1 1 1 4 -1 Isidro Metapan(SLV) 0 0 3 0 -7 B Toluca(MEX) 3 0 0 9 10 CD Marathon(HON) 2 0 1 6 -3 DC United(USA) 1 0 2 3 -3 San Juan Jabloteh(T&T) 0 0 3 0 -4 C Cruz Azul(MEX) 2 1 0 7 7 Columbus(USA) 2 0 1 6 -2 Saprissa(CRC) 1 0 2 3 -1 Puerto Rico(CFU) 0 1 2 1 -4 D Pumas UNAM(MEX) 2 1 0 7 5 Comunicaciones(GUA) 2 0 1 6 2 Real Espana(HON) 1 0 2 3 -5 W Connection(T&T) 0 1 2 1 -2 CONCACAF Champions League Sep 22-24 Sep 29-Oct 1 Group Game 4 Group Game 5 Houston plays Sep 22, 30 Columbus plays Sep 23, 29 DCU plays Sep 24, 30
Houston’s upcoming schedule is: Sep 22 CCL, Sep 30 CCL, Oct 4 MLS
Columbus’ upcoming schedule is: Sep 23 CCL, Sep 26 MLS, Sep 29 CCL
DC United’s upcoming schedule is: Sep 24 CCL, Sep 27 MLS, Sep 30 CCL
USMNT/MLS Scheduling – FUBAR Once AgainOn October 10, when the US plays its WC qualifier in Honduras, MLS once again has matches scheduled. San Jose at TFC at 4pm ET, Columbus at New England at 7:30pm ET and the Wizards at Chivas USA at 10:30pm ET. The time of the US match has been tentatively set for 8pm ET. It may not matter, however, for as of this writing, the game will not be televised in the US. Yeah, unbelievable, I know, but the rights are held outside of the US and therefore are beyond the control of anyone in the US soccer or broadcasting world.
Steven Goff has the scoop on the USA/Honduras TV story, but it’s over a week old, while Bruce at dunord is reporting that the game will be on a “Closed Circuit Pay-Per-View situation in select bars only”. Stay tuned.On October 14 the US Men play their final WC qualifer at 8pm ET. RBNY play Real Salt Lake in Utah at 10pm ET.
Young Guns Head to Egypt For The FIFA U-20 World Cup
MLS Players on the US U-20 roster include:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Josh Lambo (FC Dallas)
DEFENDERS (6): Kyle Davies (FC Dallas)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA), Gerson Mayén (Chivas USA)
FORWARDS (4): Peri Marosevic (FC Dallas), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup runs from Sept. 24-Oct. 16 in Egypt. The U.S. will open against Germany on Sept. 26(10am ET) before facing Cameroon on Sept. 29(12:45pm ET) and rounding out group play against Korea Republic on Oct. 2(12:45pm ET).
FIFA U-20 World Cup TV Schedule
Late-Season surge in attendance… lookin’ good.
It has indeed improved, the game has flourished in the USA