MLS Third Week Attendance

Rover · 04-17-2005, 06:17 PM

So how did MLS do for Week 3?

(Home Team listed first):

Crew-DCU 12,449

RSL-Rapids 25,287

Metro-KC 12,548

Fire-Quakes 12,907

cheetos-FCD 12,697

Notable:

1. RSL a big draw. RSL is part of the two largest crowds so far this year. The 25,287 in Salt Lake yesterday, and last week's 27,000 at the HDC. Something's happening here . . .

2. Across the league. Attendance is solid across the league, but not great. Average for the first 16 games is 14,401. We need these numbers bumped up a couple thousand per team at the very least. OK, RSL and the Galaxy are at max or over, but you know what I mean.

3. Empty seats in LA. Our fellow expanders are bleeding fans. Weren't they supposed to sell out everywhere they go? Well, maybe May 28th will be a sellout, but I wonder how many Galaxy fans will be filling the stands with gold when cheetos host an LA Derby. Worth watching.

4. Crew bring them in. Columbus is a market not unlike SLC in size and in terms of pro sports, and they continue to draw well. The 12,449 on Friday night was respectable, and they drew 14,358 for their first game. Maybe these smaller markets are a good idea after all.

bordelais7 · 04-17-2005, 08:56 PM

I'm very anxious to see if RSL can beat the 15k mark for their second game...

DadOf8 · 04-17-2005, 09:33 PM

I'm thinking that the home opener win has sparked interest. I predict similar numbers for the next home game.

GoReal · 04-18-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf8

I'm thinking that the home opener win has sparked interest. I predict similar numbers for the next home game.

I'd be very suprised if their second game attendance was anywhere close to the first game. I'm hoping they can break 15000 their second home game and you have to remember that those people that purchased mini plan season tickets will not be to the game on the 30th and I have two mini plan season tickets. I hope I'm wrong about the attendance for the second game. In fact I'd love to be wrong. 😉

GOReAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

bordelais7 · 04-18-2005, 01:14 PM

There will likely be a second wave of newcomers who have had their interest piqued by last weeks events, but I'd also be very surprised by anything approaching last weeks' totals.

I'm interested to see how the Loyalist population will grow in the coming weeks.

Aero · 04-18-2005, 01:32 PM

My wife loved it and wants to go back for some more games. If she can enjoy it, I'm not sure how anyone even remotely interested in sports with an open mind about soccer couldn't have loved it.

I have talked to a few people that went and some of them are actually buying season tickets now. I'd be interested to find out how many season tickets they sell today.

DadOf8 · 04-18-2005, 01:57 PM

Three people I work with both said they've never been interested in Soccer but they will be attending some games this year. I made sure to wear my RSL gear to work today to spark conversation. One of the guys didn't even know that Real Salt Lake was at the top level of Soccer in the USA, he thought they were like The Blitzz (A League). So, there still is some education that needs to take place but as that happens I'm sure we'll see steady attendance and if RSL can keep winning that wont hurt either.

Dadof3 · 04-18-2005, 02:02 PM

Another few things to remember re the game on the 30th:

#1 The game is in the evening...I know a few families who did not attend on Sat because they were conflicted by their kids' games...

#2 After good pub on the first game, they get 2 full weeks to advertise and push season tickets before the next...

#3 It is hard to give up a whole day to attend one sporting event...especially for those families who have one day of the weekend to finish the honey-do's...a 7 pm start allows time to finish what you need to do during the day Sat and have the big game at night.

My guess...18-20k...If the WNT game against Ireland is any indication, the RE will rock with that number as well...

StarsOnSunday · 04-18-2005, 03:44 PM

Evening games are much more fan-friendly. Especially for families. More people are now aware of RSL. The nature of the state is this: lots of people will go if lots of other people go. After last weeks attndance and media coverage, many more people will take us seriously. Also, I've never seen a live match before, so maybe this is common, but the team taking a bow at the end of the match won my heart. This is a team that the state can really get behind. I expect to draw in the top half all season long (even more so after June 4).
Besides, a goal ticket is $14, the same as fast food and a movie. I expect lots of walk-ups as well.

Merrill · 04-18-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero

I have talked to a few people that went and some of them are actually buying season tickets now. I'd be interested to find out how many season tickets they sell today.

I called the office today to ask them a question, and the phone rang and rang. I think they're very busy.