MLS attendance report: May 9, 2010

Observations

Four midweek games this week. Eleven total as the league starts to fill in the schedule in anticipation of the 2 week hiatus that will accompany the group phase of the World Cup. Starting off in DC, a bit over 10K saw United earn its first points of the year with academy product Bill Hamid in goal. The Revs had what promises to be a candidate for low gate of the year for its drubbing by ChivasUSA(5,990). A bit over 13,200 came to see the return leg of the Texas Derby in Houston. The Rapids again drew under 10K. All of the midweek matches had decent weather. Saturday began with the usual monster crowd in Seattle. And no, despite any tweets you may have seen, it was not the largest crowd to see an MLS game. Toronto had a great crowd despite chilly temperatures and windy conditions. RSL had a fair crowd of just over 14,200 in a match that was moved to the afternoon because the NBA Jazz were in a playoff game at night. Columbus had a less than stellar turnout in cool weather, just under 10,200. Dallas drew just a bit over 10,300. Despite their recent success, San Jose did not sell out. ChivasUSA still had trouble drawing a big crowd even though they were on a 3 game unbeaten string.

San Jose note: The Quakes large decline is attributed to the fact that they played their 4th home game(vs LA) away from Buck Shaw in ’09, drawing over 15,800. They also played their 7th(vs LA) and 11th(doubleheader Barcelona v Chivas) home games(17,000+, 61,500+) at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.

Rookies are still doing their thing. Blair Gavin got his first MLS goal vs New England. Zak Boggs scored his first two MLS goals for New England.

A mixed result from the players on my preseason ‘watch list'(bottom of post). Ryan Smith had a pretty bad game while Kei Kamara, who inexplicably hasn’t started lately for the Wizards came in and scored KC’s only goal on Wednesday.

Seattle management was so embarassed by the club’s sound thrashing at home by the Galaxy, that they will be issuing credit to season ticket holders.

Streaking

• FC Dallas have not lost at home in its last 12(8 wins).
• TFC has not lost at home in 9 straight.
• TFC is winless in 12 straight road games(3 draws).
• RSL are unbeaten in their last 13 regular season home games.
• Los Angeles have yet to yield a goal on the road(4 games).

MLS Throw Ins

• Amazing. Eleven games this week, no draws.
• Two teams remain unbeaten, Columbus and Los Angeles.
• There have been 9 draws compared to 15 in ’09 thru the first 45 matches.
• There have been 32 clean sheets in the first 56 matches
• Through 45 games: goal scoring is slightly down from 2009, 2.53 vs 2.62.
• RSL has lost only twice in its last 32 home matches. They lost only once in ’08 and ’09, a feat matched by Houston.
• This year however, Houston has lost 2 of 5 at home.

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

The MLS play-in matches for the Open have begun for the teams that did not finish in the top 6 in 2009. The next match will be played on May 12. Seattle are the defending cup holders, and as such will compete in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League. Two teams will emerge from the group of Colorado, RSL, DCU, the Revs and RBNY to join the 6 that automatically qualified.

• Colorado Rapids defeated the Kansas City Wizards 2-1.
• Real Salt Lake beat the San Jose Earthquakes on PK’s 5-3 after playing to a 3-3 score.
• New York Red Bulls downed Philadelphia 2-1.
• DC United beat FC Dallas 4-2, the 2nd year in a row that DCU eliminates FCD.
• New England Revolution at New York on Wednesday, May 12

The structure for the tourney has been finalized. Round 1 begins June 15, Round 2 June 22, Round 3(when the 8 MLS teams join in) June 29.

In case you were wondering, here is the World Cup schedule(June 11-July 11). Note that the latest start time(ET) is 2pm.