FC Dallas and the Dynamo "continually struggle to sell out their stadiums when several smaller MLS markets can't seem to stop selling out theirs," according to Nathan Nipper of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The Timbers, Sounders, Sporting KC and Orlando City have been drawing "consistent crowds." The Timbers "have 15,000 on their season ticket waiting list" -- nearly as many as FC Dallas' '15 average attendance. Houston and Dallas are the fourth and ninth largest cities in the country by population, but there "remains a large disconnect between fans of foreign soccer leagues and FC Dallas and the Dynamo." The Dynamo have a "beautiful soccer-specific stadium in the MLS-cherished downtown locale, yet their fans don't pack it out." The team seems to "use fuzzy math when calculating attendance," BBVA Compass Stadium is not typically "sold out." Meanwhile, FC Dallas' opening day attendance was "probably partially a reflection of the well-documented ticket price increases announced last season." There also is the "lingering, if clichéd perception" that Toyota Stadium in Frisco is "too far away from the rest of the Metroplex." However, the club "is out of excuses." They have "assembled an exciting, young team -- now it's time to assemble some good crowds." When teams like Sporting KC -- which "perpetually sells out its stadium -- produce slick ads" that air in K.C. during the Super Bowl, it "underscores the need for a radical overhaul of FC Dallas' marketing strategy" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/18).
SITTIN' ON TOP OF THE WORLD: In Orlando, Mike Bianchi notes the "two biggest sports superstars" in the city "are both soccer players" -- Orlando City MF Kaká and NWSL Orlando Pride F Alex Morgan. Soccer stock "may be hotter" in Orlando right now than Apple stock. Morgan on Thursday after her first day of practice with her new team, said, "I've been blown away by how many people here love the game of soccer and just the recognition on the street and the (team) magnets on the cars." Kaká and Morgan "both play for the same organization and are part of Orlando City's grand plan to make Central Florida the Soccer Capital of America." Morgan said Orlando City Founder & President Phil Rawlins and team Chair & Majority Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva told her they "want this club to be the best in the world -- the men's side and the women's side" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/18).
