U.S. Bank Stadium last night "passed a sold-out stress test with fans maxing out the capacity of the cavernous building" for its first major sporting event, a 3-1 Chelsea win over AC Milan in the Int'l Champions Cup, according to Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The operation "wasn't flawless, but nobody expected it would be." Meanwhile, many of the biggest things "went well: The air inside was cool and fresh despite the staggering August heat outside," and the 64,101 fans were "mostly in their purple seats by the start of the game." Olson writes the building "was the night's MVP," with the consensus being that it is "an impressive stadium." Two fans who attended the game said that they "were in a line some 50-people deep" for $9 nachos, but others "didn't seem to mind the wait." The foot traffic on the concourses "wasn't smooth," and the walkway got "congested at points where there were popular concession stands." Olson notes the stadium is "going to be loud -- louder than the Metrodome," as the "relatively subdued soccer crowd hit 108 decibels" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/4).
ABSOLUTELY HUGE: In Minneapolis, Chip Scoggins writes the venue "looks ginormous," and once inside it "feels more bright and airy than cavernous." The stadium "offers some distinctive features that will never, under any circumstances, be accused of being cookie-cutter." The stadium's best feature is the "five pivoting glass doors on [the] west side," while its biggest surprise is the "amount of natural light." Scoggins writes his favorite spot is "Club Purple on the second level." Scoggins: "U.S. Bank Stadium will be fine, folks. More than fine" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/4). Also in Minneapolis, David La Vaque notes European soccer coaches and local fans agreed that U.S. Bank Stadium "offered the beautiful game a setting to match" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/4). Chelsea coach Antonio said, "The atmosphere (here) is very similar to England's atmosphere." AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella also called the stadium's atmosphere "fantastic" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/4).
CALENDAR OVERLAP: In St. Paul, Joel Badzinski notes incoming MLS club Minnesota United FC's 1-1 draw against Puerto Rico FC yesterday drew an announced crowd of 6,101 to the National Sports Center, "below the team's average of about 8,500." Two Minnesota United fans were "disappointed in the conflict of schedules," but they agreed that the game at U.S. Bank Stadium "will ultimately benefit their sport" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/4).
