MLS attendance report: July 12, 2010

Observations

The week began in Chicago on Thursday with a good crowd of over 17,800. Toronto had over 21,800 as their home winning ways continued. Philadelphia did not sell out for its 2nd match at PPL Park. Neither did the Red Bulls with over 16,200. Perhaps the arrival of Thierry Henry will put more butts in the seats in Harrison. New England pulled in its largest crowd by far, over 20,000, and rewarded their fans with an unexpected win over the Galaxy. Houston had an ordinary gate of just under 13,500, while KC nearly sold out. Seattle closed out the weekend with its usual full house.

With almost half the season over, 5 of last year’s 8 playoff teams are not in playoff position.

RSL has played 4 weekday(M-F) home games, 2 more than any other team. They played 6 home weekday matches in ’09 and 5 in ’08.

Rookie Watch: Didn’t watch enough of the MLS matches to make a judgement this week, but your observations are welcome in the comment section.

Streaking

• RSL are unbeaten in their last 10 regular season games.
• RSL are unbeaten in their last 18 regular season home games.
• Dallas are unbeaten in their last 6 road games.
• Toronto are unbeaten in their last 15 regular season home games(7 in ’09).
• Kansas City are winless in their last 8 road games(2 in ’09).
• Los Angeles are unbeaten in their last 10 regular season home games(3 in ’09).

MLS Throw Ins

• There have been 25 draws compared to 39 in ’09 thru the first 117 matches.
• There have been 75 clean sheets in the first 117 matches, counting scoreless draws as 2.
• Through 109 games: goal scoring is down around 6% from 2009, 2.51 vs 2.63.
• RSL has lost only twice in its last 37 home matches. They lost only once in ’08 and ’09, a feat matched by Houston.

N.A. SuperLiga

Congestion Time

The time stretches below start and end with a full week(minimum) between games at the front and back end.

• In a 29 day stretch, Houston and ChivasUSA will play 9 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.
• In a 24 day stretch, Chicago will play 7 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.
• In a 24 day stretch, New England will play 6 games, between MLS, US Open Cup and SuperLiga.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

In 4th round action, Columbus(MLS) defeated Charleston(USL-2), ChivasUSA(MLS) defeated Houston(MLS) and Seattle(MLS) defeated Los Angeles(MLS).

The winner will compete in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.

The last 4th round match (ET)
July 21

• 7:30pm Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at D.C. United (MLS) Maryland SoccerPlex – Boyds, MD

In the semifinals, Columbus will play the winner of the DC United/Harrisburg match and Seattle will play ChivasUSA on Sept 1, 10 p.m. ET @ Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, WA.

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup structure

Getting Friendly