MLS reported attendances for 2017 on par with 2016 so far despite glut of empty seats

Photo credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

For the first 45 games of the 2017 MLS season, the average attendance is virtually even with 2016 despite lots of empty seats at many MLS stadiums, particularly from this past weekend.

For gameweek 5, Chicago, Columbus, DC United, Houston and Minnesota reported disappointing attendances. New York City FC’s number could also be seen as soft as the club, for the second game in a row, reported a relative mediocre attendance considering they’re based in a city with a population of 8.4 million.

The biggest surprise for gameweek 5 was the attendance of 17,728 for Minnesota United’s game after their inaugural game drew over 35,000.

For gameweek 4 during the World Cup qualifiers, there were three MLS games played (three too many for my taste). Those attendances that weekend had the two lowest reported attendances of the season to date.

Announced attendance is 20,066. Looks less than that. #NYCFC #NYCvSJ #MLS pic.twitter.com/wobMpM32J3
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) April 1, 2017

Here are the reported attendances for MLS gameweek 5:

Franchise	Attendance
Chicago	15,103
Columbus	12,226
DC United	14,560
Houston	17,914
Minnesota	17,728
NYCFC	20,066
Portland	21,144
Seattle	40,182
Toronto	27,909
Vancouver	25,083

Here is the 2017 MLS attendance report through gameweek 5:

MLS Attendance – Equal # of Home Games
	2016	2017
	Att	Att	Att +/-	GP
Atlanta	NA	50,610	NA	2
Seattle	39,769	42,891	7.85%	2
Montreal	27,545	34,373	24.79%	1
Toronto	30,025	27,909	-7.05%	1
Minnesota	NA	26,386	NA	2
Orlando	44,594	25,527	-42.76	2
LA Galaxy	25,667	22,268	-13.24	2
Vancouver	23,759	21,535	-9.36%	3
Portland	21,144	21,144	0.00%	3
NYCFC	26,112	20,947	-19.78	3
Salt Lake	19,253	19,934	3.53%	2
Sporting KC	20,023	19,200	-4.11%	2
Houston	21,390	18,386	-14.04	3
San Jose	18,000	18,000	0.00%	2
Red Bulls	18,235	17,794	-2.42%	2
Philadelphia Union	17,027	16,795	-1.36%	1
FC Dallas	14,248	16,150	13.35%	1
D.C. United	14,541	15,620	7.42%	3
Colorado	14,123	15,070	6.70%	2
Chicago	15,187	14,064	-7.39%	2
Columbus	17,145	12,772	-25.51%	3
NE Revs	16,102	11,571	-28.14%	1