Architectural firm Populous Senior Principal Bruce Miller said that there is "significant interest" from MLS teams who want "something similar" to the standing-room-only section created at Orlando City Stadium, which opened this year, according to Eric Adelson of YAHOO SPORTS. The section, with a capacity of 3,800 fans, was a "first-of-its-kind design" among U.S. venues. FIFA rules "prohibit standing areas during international matches, so U.S. Soccer and Orlando City are currently looking for seating options." In the meantime, the standing-room-only setup is "helping the home team," as Orlando City has "only lost once in the new building." Each ticket holder in the safe-standing section "has a specific spot," which "goes a long way to prevent crowding." There is also a "bar (with a cup holder) providing a barrier to each fan’s 24-inch area." The steepness of the stadium combined with the standing area "gives the feeling of fans hovering over the field (and the opposing goalkeeper)." An overhead canopy "embellishes that." The field also is "below ground level, which required an enormous drainage system in swampy Florida" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/17).
