Bill Shadrach, Public Enemy #1

[the cup]

Anybody know this guy? He needs some help with the facts.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2539281

[mckid]

Correct numbers according to MLSnet.

League attendance: 1996 -- 17,406
2003 -- 14,898

Percentage drop (according my math skills): 14.4 %

[mckid]

I sent a response to the editor about Bill's numbers.

[the cup]

I don't think its on MLS' website yet but if memory serves me last year's average attendance was in the 15,500 range meaning the percentage difference between 1996 and 2004 is only about 10%.

Take into account that 3 out of the top 5 all time highest attended games in MLS were in 96;

1. Double Header with US Cup Final between US and Mexico in Los Angeles June 16th - 92,216

2. LA Galaxy inaugural game against Metro April 13th - 69,255

3. New England vs LA Galaxy July 4th - 62,703

If you take these three games out of 96's attendance figures the year average comes out at 16,311.

The league is holding steady.

[bordelais7]

Odd. My calculator must be broken, too. I'm also getting 14.4.

But he does have a point about staying at RES. I think the best way to maximize our support is to play on a field with football lines, in a stadium that is two times too big. But we can expand the size of the field (which I'm sure the football fans would love, too), to a size that is just big enough to squeeze a soccer field on to. We can just stick with the minimum required dimensions of the field, and leave a good foot of space on the touch lines for throw-ins and corners. The coaches and subs can just sit inside of the goals, since no one ever really scores in soccer anyway. Also, the turf will be a big hit for all of the opposing teams. After all, it's the new trend. "Unprofessional" is the new "Professional".

He also seems to imply that the league just kind of chose Tampa and Miami at random as teams that should leave the league. Whatever will happen to our stadium when Garber casually decides one day to axe SLC?

Seriously. I can understand people being opposed to being taxed for a stadium. It's a risk, yes. It's their money, yes. But I think a little research of the facts may be in order before making a fool of yourself in a widely-distributed newspaper.

[bordelais7]

Hold it, though. After a little bit of quick research, I think I have come up with a conspiracy theory:

It appears that Mr. Shadrach lives just a mile south of RES.

I'm thinking he's really a RSL fan who simply enjoys the convenience of being able to walk to the games.