The MLS Crew drew an "overflow" crowd of 24,471 to the
debut of its new 22,485-seat soccer-specific stadium on
Saturday night, according to Craig Merz of the COLUMBUS
DISPATCH, who wrote that the debut was "one of the most
important events in U.S. soccer history" and "just the kind
of boost MLS needs" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/16). ESPN2
announcer Phil Shane, during the broadcast of the
Revolution-Crew game: "Take a look at some of the
particulars about this brand new stadium, yet to be named.
Hunt Stadium sounds pretty good considering what [Crew
Investor-Operator] Lamar [Hunt] did." MLS Commissioner Doug
Logan, asked if other soccer-specific stadiums may be built:
"We're probably a year or two away from the next one. There
are three to six markets that are eyeing this stadium and
who have representatives here tonight who have watched the
construction go on. And I feel pretty certain that over the
course of the next couple of months we're going to have an
announcement to make with regard to where [the new stadiums]
will go." More Logan: "This is a relaunching of our league.
... This is the future of our league" (ESPN2, 5/15).
FULL REAX: USA TODAY's Peter Brewington writes that
"several thousand" fans were left standing due to the
overflow crowd, but "no one was complaining." Brewington
notes that a two-hour traffic jam after the game and long
concessions "were minor faults" (USA TODAY, 5/17). In
Columbus, Bob Hunter wrote that the stadium "isn't perfect,"
citing the concession lines and the traffic jam. Hunter:
"But the fact that people seem to want to be here ... shows
the potential many soccer devotees have been talking about
for most of the last 30 years actually exists. ... When you
see (Crew Stadium) in person, you can understand why so many
of soccer's dignitaries say the Crew's new stadium is an
example of what the sport needs to finally make it in the
United States" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/16). In Boston, Gus
Martins wrote that "while not 'ultra-swish,'" the stadium is
"impressive, particularly considering it was built in nine
months." Hunt "predicts being able to make back his
expenditures with an 17,000 fan average over the team's 16
home games." Hunt wants to hold 30 events per year in the
stadium (BOSTON HERALD, 5/15). In L.A., Grahame Jones wrote
that Crew Stadium was the "most positive development for the
professional game since the inception of the league in
1996." If other teams "follow suit, it could signal the
beginning of a sharp rise in stature for pro soccer" (L.A.
TIMES, 5/16). In San Antonio, Raul Flores: "With the ever-
growing interest and advertising dollars in American soccer,
Saturday's inauguration of the Columbus Crew's stadium
should be a sign of things to come" (EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/17).
ALL WE ARE SAYING: In Chicago, Bob Foltman reviewed the
state of MLS and wrote if the league fails "it will have no
one to blame but itself. Not an indifferent media, which
has actually been kinder to it than maybe it should be at
times. ... Major League Soccer will have failed because it
refused to let the sport sell itself on its own merits."
Foltman called the league's shootout policy a gimmick: "Not
only has MLS pandered to a fan base that doesn't really care
about the sport, it also has turned its back on those who
care passionately. ... In other words, quit the gimmicks and
let the game sell itself" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/16).
