The Earthquakes' new Avaya Stadium "will host" the '16 MLS All-Star Game, with an official announcement set for tomorrow and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Earthquakes President Dave Kaval and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo "expected to be in attendance," according to sources cited by Franco Panizo of SOCCER BY IVES. Sources said that the Earthquakes "were hoping to host the All-Star Game this season, but lost out" to the Rapids' Dick's Sporting Goods Park (SBISOCCER.com, 5/26). Meanwhile, MLSSOCCER.com's Geoff Lepper asked since the Earthquakes "have sold out all four regular-season games at Avaya Stadium" this season, is there "still a point to playing an annual game at other venues," as the team will do this Sunday when it hosts Orlando City SC at Levi’s Stadium? Kaval said, "There’s still value in these other types of events. They can still be great showcases of what we’re doing. It doesn’t take away from the 15 home games at Avaya." Lepper noted the game is one of two regular-season matches the Quakes "will stage away from their home base; the other comes June 27" with the annual California Clasico against the Galaxy at Stanford Stadium. Kaval: "It serves the same strategic purpose, which is to have the bigger events and to showcase us on a bigger stage, allow more fans to get interested in the Earthquakes." The Quakes "initially sold 11,000 season tickets at 18,000-capacity Avaya, then bumped that number up to 12,000 before capping sales." With a season-ticket wait list "already in place, the larger matches help attract potential fans that aren’t otherwise able to easily attend a Quakes home match." Kaval: "These bigger matches at Levi’s Stadium, at Stanford Stadium, they create new Quakes fans -- which is something as a growing sport and a growing league we really need to do" (MLSSOCCER.com, 5/24).
