The Earthquakes on Saturday "hosted a housewarming party" at Avaya Stadium with a 3-2 win over the the Galaxy in a preseason match "played before 10,074 fans," according to Alan Black of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The 18,000-seat venue is "built to maximize noise," and the Earthquakes' supporters group, the 1906 Ultras, "proved the design’s worth with loud singing throughout the match." The "beautiful redwood reclaimed from the hangar at nearby Moffett Field adds a sinewy quality to the concourse areas." The "overall feel is one of openness," and the hills beyond the airport "offer a fabulous vista." The "largest outdoor bar in North America, as it is billed, is situated behind one of the nets." When Galaxy F Alan Gordon "blasted a shot wide of the goalmouth" in the pregame warm-up, the bartender "retrieved the ball from behind the bar" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 3/1). In San Jose, Mark Purdy wrote Avaya Stadium is an "amazingly groovy place to watch a soccer game," and the Bay Area's "first soccer-specific professional stadium could easily wind up being a more fun spot" than Levi's Stadium. The "steep sightlines allow a perfect view of soccer's geometry." The "railed-off south end zone standing-room area, plus the sections directly above, were filled with the chanting and singing Earthquakes supporters' groups." The "open concourse with patio-like club seating lent an exotic texture." All the extra money spent by Earthquakes co-Owner John Fisher, who was "beaming Saturday while viewing the warm-ups, was well spent." In short, any Bay Area resident who enjoys soccer "must visit Avaya at some point." A venue such as Avaya "will surely bring those soccer-snob types around for a good look." It is "impossible to believe they'll hate the joint" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/1).
