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Tuesday, February 28, 2006
If they build it, will you come?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not long after renewed MLS overtures were made public, the Silverbacks issued a friendly reminder that their soccer-specific stadium is on track as the final part of a four-phase plan.
The next step is a 3,000-seat stadium slated to open on June 3, with an increase to 7,500 setting up eventual expansion to 15,000. Projected dates for the last two stages haven’t been announced.
No doubt this will be vast improvement over a Previous Facility That Shall Remain Nameless. And perhaps finally playing on a field of their own will help the club feel, and act, a bit more settled.
Do you think this move will do the trick? Also coming on line this season, according to the team, is a bar/restaurant. Will a cold pint or three draw you in?
But also ponder this thought: Should MLS stay interested in Atlanta, would this be the place, down the road? And is 15K large enough? MLS likes a minimum of 20K, which is what the new Chicago Fire stadium will play to when it opens in mid-June.
MLS is banking its future financial and soccer success on its teams having their own stadiums. Silverbacks owners have repeated this mantra as a formula for the franchise’s long-term well-being.
Do you think Atlanta’s ready to have an MLS team, or is the United Soccer Leagues the right level for soccer in this town?
