The MetroStars and Rapids played to a 2-2 tie last night in front of a
standing-room-only crowd of 4000+. The game was great (good sign for
the upcoming season), but I thought you all would like to know that San
Antonio looks to be pushing very hard to become an expansion city in
2005 or 2006.
There was an at least 300 foot long line to get in when the gate opened
an hour before the game and the crowd eventually filled the bleachers,
including many of the aisles, and a good number of spillovers had to
stand at the ends. Granted it was a low-capacity venue, but it was good
to see. There were also several hundred sitting in the VIP seats
(pitch-level seats on the far side behind the benches). The crowd was
very enthusiastic to have an MLS game and seemed very appreciative. The
mayor, himself a soccer player, even attended and spoke at halftime;
considering he probably could have chosen to attend the "Alamo" movie
world premiere that was also happening that night in SA, that's probably
saying something. He mentioned the next step would be trying to get a
20,000 strong crowd for an MLS game in the Alamodome this summer.
Also, I thought some of you might be interested in the survey they
handed out and included in the game program; it includes an invitation
to purchase seaon tickets in advance in case San Antonio lands a team.