You might think at this point, media and supporters who follow MLS might have become a bit indifferent to news of new stadium development. After all, most teams have a stadium all of their own now.
But do not count me among the indifferent; Stadium news still stirs my morning coffee.
So this is great news out of San Jose, where club officials have announced an Oct. 21 date for groundbreaking on their new, 18,000-seat grounds.
One more year at Buck Shaw Stadium is in store for the Earthquakes – or that’s the hope.
Construction time on MLS stadiums typically lands right around 16 months. San Jose officials hope to be in this one in time for the 2014 season – but it’s going to be close.
In fact, the more likely scenario looks like what Houston did in 2012, Sporting Kansas City did in 2011 and others have done along the stadium initiative way: begin with a bunch of road games and then get into the new facility in April, May or even in June.
It’s not ideal, but in the long run it does not seem to damage club momentum or playoff chances. Kansas City did quite well last year, never mind the early road gauntlet. Houston is handling it all quite well in 2012.
-
- bgix - Aug 27, 2012 at 12:10 PM
-
I think at this point, most fans of the various MLS teams are still fans of *MLS* as a whole, and cheer for news of new stadiums, whether or not they are being built for our team, or a rival team. Some of us are still skeptical that true sustaining critical mass has been reached, and so everything that helps to ensure the long term staying power of the league is cheered. So hip hip hooray.
-
- mkbryant3 - Aug 27, 2012 at 12:47 PM
-
I’m with bgix. A fan of MLS from the start, I remember the days when this league was teetering and the amazing feeling when Columbus got their stadium. That was an incredible day…as weird as that sounds today. And I don’t live in Columbus. At this point, I think I’m equal parts fan of the Quakes and MLS, with the Quakes beginning to move into 60 territory (for obvious reasons). What a season we are having! We an only hope to have a fraction of the support/atmosphere that Portland and Seattle have. Still, I dream of having a stadium in downtown SF, but that’s never going to happen.
-
Play
Video: Premier League drama set to thrill
-
Play
Video: Premier League: Real English drama
-
Play
Video: Highlights: Union outlast Fire
-
Play
Video: Sir Alex says goodbye
-
Play
Video: Morgan committed to growth of new women's league
-
Play
Video: Boy with cancer, 8, scores against major league soccer team
