Kraft looking to build Soccer Stadium in Somerville?

[Ian]

Just came accross this article:

New England Revolution to re-launch Somerville Stadium plans | MLS News | tribalfootball.com

Interesting that they'd take the Revs out of Foxboro and try and move them there.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Just came accross this article:

New England Revolution to re-launch Somerville Stadium plans | MLS News | tribalfootball.com

Interesting that they'd take the Revs out of Foxboro and try and move them there.

Well, the Revolution is the only MLS team that doesn't have its own purpose-built stadium, and it is a bit daunting playing in a stadium that's mostly empty, regardless of sport.

 

[nabwong]

Somerville is a great location for soccer. There's a huge south american population there and there are several locations where people are playing soccer every weekend. I'm sure basing the Revs there would be a hit and would definitely transform the area.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

They were talking about this last week on WEEI - rehashing the reasons MLS hasn't gained the kind of foothold here that it would have hoped to given World Cup is popular and recreational soccer is flourishing. The sport as a spectator draw hasn't really caught on with the existing north american sports consuming demographic. Where it would stand to be more popular is in areas with large immigrant populations, particularly hispanic ones, and Foxboro isn't that setting. A potential fan pool exists who would pay to attend games, but they aren't in a position or inclined to commute distance to. Put a team within walking/easy commute distance of where they live and a core fanbase might more easily develop as a result of that proximity.

 

[JDSal45]

Well, the Revolution is the only MLS team that doesn't have its own purpose-built stadium, and it is a bit daunting playing in a stadium that's mostly empty, regardless of sport.

That's not true. DC United play at RFK which was not built for soccer. Kansas City plays in a minor league baseball stadium though they're building a soccer-specific field for next year. Houston plays on the University of Houston's football field (Robertson Stadium) and Seattle plays at Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks.

J D Sal

 

[Tunescribe]

Well, the Revolution is the only MLS team that doesn't have its own purpose-built stadium.

My understanding is the Krafts built the dimensions of Gillette FOR soccer, not football. There's more space between the stands and the benches and the stands and the end zones.

 

[Disco Volante]

Good, the field could look pretty ugly with all the soccer mark ups on it.

 

[Patsrock]

Just came accross this article:

New England Revolution to re-launch Somerville Stadium plans | MLS News | tribalfootball.com

Interesting that they'd take the Revs out of Foxboro and try and move them there.

Being a Revs ST holder for over 12 years now, this has been talked about for over 6 years now. The Revs are dying in Foxboro and they need a Urban stadium to survive. But I will believe it when I see ground broken. This article is a broken record for most revs fans. This comes out at least twice a yr.

 

[Patsrock]

Good, the field could look pretty ugly with all the soccer mark ups on it.

You hardly even see them on the field at a Pats game.

 

[Tunescribe]

Being a Revs ST holder for over 12 years now, this has been talked about for over 6 years now. The Revs are dying in Foxboro and they need a Urban stadium to survive. But I will believe it when I see ground broken. This article is a broken record for most revs fans. This comes out at least twice a yr.

Where is the best place in a stadium to sit to watch a soccer game? I'm curious.

 

[Rob0729]

It is probably in the best interest for everyone. I am sure retailers at Patriot Place want fewer major events taking up parking and tying up traffic. They probably get a lot of foot traffice during big events but few purchases.

 

[Rossmci90]

Where is the best place in a stadium to sit to watch a soccer game? I'm curious.

Well that all depends whether you want the best view or the best atmosphere. The best view is on the half way line, around 15-30 rows up. The best atmoshere depends on the stadium, but traditionally the cheaper the seats the better the atmosphere, because the people that really care about the team have always been the working class so the best atmosphere normally comes from one end behind the goal (think The Kop at Anfield, The Südtribüne at Westfalen Stadion, The Curva Sud at San Siro).

Of course, times have changed and these day tickets aren't much cheaper behind the goals as they are in other parts of the Stadium, but the tradition of the 'hardcore' fans who make all the noise and situate behind one goal remains.

 

[everlong]

It is probably in the best interest for everyone. I am sure retailers at Patriot Place want fewer major events taking up parking and tying up traffic. They probably get a lot of foot traffic during big events but few purchases.

Merchandise you're correct but the restaurants do a killer business. They could literally double the amount of restaurants and every place would still have a waiting list for the 4-6 hours before the event and get business after as well.

 

[efin98]

Being a Revs ST holder for over 12 years now, this has been talked about for over 6 years now. The Revs are dying in Foxboro and they need a Urban stadium to survive. But I will believe it when I see ground broken. This article is a broken record for most revs fans. This comes out at least twice a yr.

The difference is right in the article itself...the Green Line extension and new maintenance yard are in motion towards getting built which the stadium needs to bring in more fans.

 

[Rob0729]

Merchandise you're correct but the restaurants do a killer business. They could literally double the amount of restaurants and every place would still have a waiting list for the 4-6 hours before the event and get business after as well.

Well, the restaurants have a maximum amount of business they can do in one day. They might be able to do close to that during a regular Saturday (assuming that is the day the Revs are playing). Besides, the restaurants are empty for the 2-3 hours when the game/event is going on.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Where is the best place in a stadium to sit to watch a soccer game? I'm curious.

Ross is right. There isn't really a perfect angle -- you see some things and miss others. My ideal would be sitting somewhere between 8 and 15 feet above the pitch (so you can see over the players) and as close to the pitch as possible. The most expensive seats are on the half-way line about 20 rows back, but it isn't clear that they give you the best view. Certainly, coaches who are banned from the touchline and have to sit in the Directors' Box (happens a lot) aren't happy. Heavily banked stadiums with no running track or benches and whatnot are the best, in my view.

Gillette is awful as a soccer stadium. Not only are the stands miles away from the field but there is now Fieldturf. Proper soccer *must* be played on grass.

A nice purpose-built modern soccer stadium in Somerville would be great, but, as Patsrock says, this is old news. I've only lived in Cambridge for 4 years, but I think the rumour has been going at least that long. Wishful thinking on the part of local politicians?

 

[Patsrock]

Where is the best place in a stadium to sit to watch a soccer game? I'm curious.

My seats are in the supporters section 143. But in reality the view sucks from that section. It is the best place for atmosphere, but the best viewing place is the sections in the middle behind the benches.

 

[Patsrock]

The difference is right in the article itself...the Green Line extension and new maintenance yard are in motion towards getting built which the stadium needs to bring in more fans.

Been following this for a long time now, like I said I will believe it when I see ground broken

 

[Rossmci90]

My seats are in the supporters section 143. But in reality the view sucks from that section. It is the best place for atmosphere, but the best viewing place is the sections in the middle behind the benches.

What's the average attendance like at Revs games?

 

[efin98]

Been following this for a long time now, like I said I will believe it when I see ground broken

I have been following for several years as well... The T people have their yard chosen, they have their stations chosen(Brickbottom Station coincidentally very close by...), they have development in mind for the area, they have the demographics in four cities just a bus and train ride away- it's more than they have had in the past three years since the proposal surfaced.

It's still a "I'll believe it when I see it" proposal...but it is more than they have had before.