Take Me Out to the Ballgame – Week 2

The Week 2 numbers look like this…

Here are the attendance comparisons to 2009:

My disclaimer about the capacity calculations

For my calculations, I’ve taken the 3 teams playing in Amercan football stadiums, DCU in RFK, Houston in Robertson and New England in Foxboro and assigned maximum capacities at 22,500. I took the 22,500 number from an approximate average of the soccer specific stadiums in use.

Observations

The week started with Houston pulling in a strong crowd of over 18,000 for the visiting MLS Cup Champs RSL. That was followed by the SuperClásico, Angelino Clásico, or whatever you want to call it, LA vs ChivasUSA. The Clásico drew over 19,800. While Colorado owner Stan Kroenke edges closer to ownership of EPL club Arsenal, perhaps he need cast his eyes closer to home as the Rapids home opener was the 2nd lowest in club history. No such problem in DC, as more than 20,600 United faithful turned out for their team’s match vs eastern rival New England. And then there’s Seattle, drawing over 36,000 on a cool and rainy evening.

Streaking

• FC Dallas have not lost at home in its last 9(7 wins).
• RBNY broke its 27 game winless road streak.
• TFC has not lost at home in 7 straight.
• TFC has lost 9 straight road games.
• RSL are unbeaten in their last 11 home games.

MLS Throw Ins

• There have been 10 clean sheets in the first 13 matches
• No team won 50% of its games in 2009, only the 2nd time that has happened(2004).
• Goal scoring was down in 2009, 2.53 per game vs 2.81 in 2008.
• Through 13 games: goal scoring is down 2.15 per game vs 2.92 in 2009.
• Through 13 games: fewer goals but only 2 draws vs 5 in ’09.
• 36 of the 64 players selected in the 2010 SuperDraft were on MLS rosters on opening day.