In the interview with Paul Beirne yesterday he said that four teams have been shortlisted to host the 2010 MLS Cup. Toronto and New York have long been understood to be in the mix, but the other two cities -- Philly and Los Angeles -- were a bit of a surprise.
Philly had been thought to be a possibility, but this is the first time that a league source has revealed that they are in the running. He did not indicate whether the plan was to play at the Linc, or in the smaller PPL Park. At just 18,500 seating, you would imagine that PPL Park would be a bit small for the league's tastes, but it would likely be possible to temporarily expand the stadium.
L.A. is a bit out of the blue, but the weather and the size of the Home Depot Center makes Carson a default choice pretty much every year. You would think that back-to-back west coast finals, combined with the fact the game was in L.A. in 2008, would make the Galaxy just that -- a back-up plan.
So, does Toronto have a chance? It would be silly not to think so. The promise aside, Toronto would offer the league with a chance to become the biggest show in town that week (unless the Leafs were off to a great start....sorry....OK, I've picked myself up off the floor now....yeah, right). TFC's popularity in the city, combined with the fact that 99 per cent of the Canadian sports media is based in T.O., would also ensure that Vancouver got a bit of a profile boost heading into the 2011 season ('Cause, you know, Toronto would "shove TFC down the throat" of hard done by Saskatoon residents. Maybe one or two bitter ranchers will be inclined to buy a Whitecaps strip out of spite).
When we talked to The Viper's Nest last week, an interesting point was made in regards to the N.Y. bid. When Red Bull Arena was first designed it was to be part of a larger development. That fuller development has not been built yet (tough economic times and all that). In a year's time there will be more around the stadium and it will be a more impressive place to be. Maybe it makes sense to wait to 2011.
I still expect to be sleeping in a ratty hostel in Manhattan next November, but I'm holding off on booking it just yet. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to sleep in my own bed.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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10 comments:
we need some respect north of the boarder. Here is hoping Toronto gets the nod.
What are the chances that the game sells out in Toronto if TFC isn't in the game?
I don't think that people would be lining up to pay to see Columbus play RSL.
Serie_AHH
Can't see it selling out if Columbus is in the final - they can barely manage to send 100 supporters to Toronto during the season...
The game would sell out. There is NO QUESTION. It would be pre-sold.
And cheering against Columbus would probably be a draw on its own...
Well you could pay to watch a real team like Columbus or Salt Lake or keep dreaming that TFC actually have a chance. Plus the league would rather not play a game in front of a bunch of screaming wana be hooligan Toronto fans....that just does not make sense to the league.
yeah i hope we get it. it'll be fun, it'll easily sell out, and RBNY will give a much better show in 2011.
I thought all the wannabe hooligan fans were in Columbus, where they actually wear the word "Hooligan" proudly on their chests.
You're right though, those "hooligans" wouldn't be screaming, and there definitely wouldn't be "a bunch" of them. So that makes more sense to the league, to put it in a sterile environment filled with disinterested soccer moms and empty seats.
Not to mention the local amenities and cultural destinations in Columbus that will entertain the traveling support from the teams involved. There's the Bob Evans, and the first-ever Wendy's restaurant, and... um yeah.
MLS Cup 2010 to Columbus!
First off, ranchers = Alberta, small-towners who drive Dodge Rams and wear plaid work jackets = Saskatchewan. Get your stereotypes sorted out Duane!
I might be able to get you (and ICF) an interview with a member of the Constitution Committee in a few weeks, so be nice to us Saskatonians. It's a big little town and we're proud of it!
Jeff,
I lived in Sask for a year and the people that raised cows for a living called themselves ranchers....
That said, I’m well aware that someone living in Saskatoon would be just as likely to be a vegetarian Liberal Arts student at U of S as a rancher.
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