Time for some positive news before we get into the playoff discussion (full predictions coming up later today).
Attendance for Major League Soccer reached a new high in 2012. Theleague beat last year's mark by nearly 1,000 per game. In fact, with an average attendance of 18,807, MLS ranks seventh in the world.
Some of you commented on yesterday's attendance post that I should have compared last year's
week 5 numbers with this year's week 5 numbers. While my intent with the post was to just present
this year's numbers with a few notes, I do get where you all were coming from.
So here ya go, last year's numbers at Week 5 along with this year's (numbers via Soccer
America):
Some packed houses like this are starting to become the norm in MLS. (Photo via the Montreal
Impact)
Yes, this is the obvious MLS attendance post. Thankfully this time around I am not going to be
blasting any team for their lack of quality gate figures. Yeah, that's right, this isn't one of
those posts that you see that comments on how poorly a team is doing at the gate.
No midweek games were played in Major League Soccer last week, all eight games were played on
the weekend with an average attendance of 18,975 up from 15,937 the previous week. The average was
helped in a big way by the Seattle Sounders home game against Chivas USA which drew 36,364. The New
York Red Bulls, despite their troubles on the field had a season high 25,177 in attendance for
their game against the Chicago Fire.
Including the midweek games played on July 20th Major League Soccer had an average weekly
attendance of 15,669, down from 16,865 the previous week. The Los Angeles topped the attendance
charts this week with 24,709 for their game against the Columbus Crew. Toronto FC had 21,087 for
their midweek game against FC Dallas.
No midweek games were played in Major League Soccer last week, all seven games were played on
the Weekend with an average attendance of 16,865 up slightly from the previous week of 16,642. The
average was helped in a big way by the Seattle Sounders home game against the Colorado Rapids which
drew 36,424.
Including the midweek game on June 29, MLS had 9 games this past week with an average attendance
of 21,115 up from 19,322 the previous week. San Jose was the big winner this week drawing over
41,000 for its game against the Red Bulls, which was smartly moved to Stanford Stadium. The Galaxy
registered their third sell out of the season at the Home Depot Center for its Fourth of July game
against the Sounders.
Including the midweek games on June 22, MLS had 12 games this past week with an average
attendance of 19,322, up 15,944 the previous week. The increase was helped by Seattle who had two
home dates, including a midweek affair with the New York Red Bulls that drew 46,065 a season high.
Philadelphia had two home dates this week as well with attendance for both games over 18,100.
Including the midweek game on June 15th MLS had 10 games this past week with an average
attendance of 15944, down from 18427 the previous week. Leading the way were Toronto FC with 21839
followed by the Vancouver Whitecaps with 20168. Better than league average attendance was also
recorded in Portland (18627), Kansas City (18467), and Colorado (18277).
Including the midweek game on June 8th MLS had 11 home games this past week with an average
attendance of 18427, up from 14765 the previous week. Leading the way were the Seattle Sounders
with 36502 followed by New York with 21201. The debut of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park was a great
success, at least off the field with an over capacity crowd of 19925.
Including the midweek game on June 1st MLS had 10 home games this past week with an average
attendance of 14765, down from 18274 the week before. Leading the way were the New York Red Bulls
with 20393 followed by LA with 20036. At the bottom of the attendance table was San Jose with just
9270 for its win over Houston.
With the three midweek games last Wednesday MLS had 12 home games the past week with an average
attendance of 18274. The Sounders drew over 36000 for a midweek clash against FC Dallas while the
Red Bulls managed over 18000 for its midweek game against Colorado. When was the last tine the Red
Bulls had 18000 for a midweek game?
There were eight home games on the docket in Major League Soccer this weekend. Of the eight
games, five had attendance numbers above the league average of 17264. Chivas USA had its first sell
out of the season thanks to the Galaxy and the Dynamo had it's largest attendance of the season for
their game against New York.
Despite the delayed release of Major League Soccer's 2011 schedule (and the attendant kvetching
about it), more than half of the league's teams have increased announced attendance over the same
number of home games as a year ago.
FC Dallas leads the way, averaging 14,258 after a 10,448 average through six home games in 2010
(a 36.
There were nine home games this weekend in Major League Soccer. Six games had attendance figures
below the current league average of 17,066 per game. The good, look no further than Seattle which
broke its own single game attendance record with 36,593 on hand for the much hyped game with the
Timbers.
That's when training camps for the 2011-12 NFL season would open. For the first time since 1987
however, the National Football League may experience a work stoppage due to the expiration of their
Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association.
5 year comparison Quarterfinals Totals(both legs)  Avg +/- Teams  2006  12,736  NA
 CHI, COL, CHV, DAL, DCU, HOU, NE, RBNY  2007  17,041  33.81%  CHI, CHV, DAL, DCU, HOU,
KC, NE, RBNY Â 2008Â Â 14,960Â Â -12.
Major League Soccer is close to developing a formal policy to address away ticket sales. And the
new policy will allow teams to sell more than the current limit of 150 tickets to fans of visiting
teams.
5 year comparison Conference Semifinals - 2nd Leg  Avg +/- Home Teams  2006  15,938Â
NA  New England  Dallas  Houston  DC United  2007  19,838  24.47%  New England Â
Chivas USA  Houston  DC United  2008  19,444  -1.
 5 year comparison  Final Week YTD  YTD  Avg +/- GP Avg +/- GP  2006  20,277 NA
 6  15,502 NA  192  2007  20,575  1.47%  7  16,767  8.16%  195 Â
2008Â Â 17,338Â Â -15.
 5 year comparison  Week 29 Thru Week 29  YTD   Avg  +/-  GP  Avg  +/-  GP Â
2006Â Â 20,277Â Â Â 6Â Â 15,502Â Â Â 192Â Â 2007Â Â 20,575Â Â 1.47%Â Â 7Â Â 16,767Â Â
8.16%Â Â 195Â Â 2008Â Â 17,338Â Â -15.
 5 year comparison  Week 28 Thru Week 28  YTD   Avg  +/-  GP  Avg  +/-  GP Â
2006Â Â 19,097Â Â Â 6Â Â 15,348Â Â Â 186Â Â 2007Â Â 19,419Â Â 1.68%Â Â 6Â Â 16,636Â Â
8.39%Â Â 187Â Â 2008Â Â 16,219Â Â -16.
 5 year comparison  Week 27 Thru Week 27  YTD   Avg  +/-  GP  Avg  +/-  GP Â
2006Â Â 18,083Â Â Â 6Â Â 15,116Â Â Â 180Â Â 2007Â Â 18,241Â Â 0.87%Â Â 7Â Â 16,593Â Â
9.77%Â Â 181Â Â 2008Â Â 15,291Â Â -16.
Another big weekend in Major League Soccer with the ESPN game of the week capping off the
proceedings. While attendance was disappointing (for the much hyped SuperClassico), the match
presented a rare opportunity to see 3 US National Team members from the 2010 World Cup Team and
David Beckham in a prime time special.
There are three home games left in the Union season and, as of this writing, Saturday's game
against Houston is the only one that isn't sold out. You can get tickets to the game here. While
you're at it, take a look at our preview. The Union may realistically be out of playoff picture but
the players still have a lot to play for, like place on the squad next year and you and me: the
2011 season starts now.
Raymon Gaddis named to SBI All-Rookie Best XI. Williams on not playing final games of the season: "It sucks." Tom Sermanni names as new USWNT coach. MLS ranks 7th in the world for attendance. Knockout games begin. More news
5 year comparison Quarterfinals Totals(both legs)  Avg +/- Teams  2006  12,736  NA
 CHI, COL, CHV, DAL, DCU, HOU, NE, RBNY  2007  17,041  33.81%  CHI, CHV, DAL, DCU, HOU,
KC, NE, RBNY Â 2008Â Â 14,960Â Â -12.
An exciting weekend of games in the MLS Conference Finals. We'll start in Colorado, where the
Rapids turned out a big attendance number despite limited mainstream marketing and a lack of
promotional offerings. With temperatures falling under 30 degrees, more almost 18k fans braved
the weather at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The MLS Playoffs are here and the eight teams entering the post season have been decided.Â
Under MLS'Â much criticized playoff format, there will be 6 representatives from the Western
Conference and 2 representatives from the Eastern Conference. As we did last year at this time,
we thought it worth taking a business look at the playoff teams.
Howard Handler was named Chief Marketing Officer of Major League Soccer in early 2o12. In that capacity, Mr. Handler oversees marketing, strategy, communications, digital, events and club services for the League. Prior to joining MLS, Mr. Handler served as executive vice president, marketing and sales at The Madison Square Garden Company.
Here it is! The first "Monday After" of the new season. Every Monday through the end of the MLS season we will take a look at some of the weekend business stories, including attendance, broadcast and more. Today we will start with the televising of the league's first round of games. Fans were treated to the annual free preview of Direct Kick which offered a number of matches including the tilt between Sporting and the Union.
