MLS Attendance Statistics 2012 Week 10

No Premier League? No problem. Major League Soccer has plenty of action through the summer, including two or three major signings with names like Michael Ballack, Alessanro Nesta and Stephen Ireland being thrown around. On the stands things are a bit of a mix bag. While new arenas open (Houston's BBVA Compass), and recent additions shine (Livestrong Sporting Park, PPL Field), older teams and stadiums come flat: New England, DC, Dallas, Columbus. Although the latter two have their own stadiums, they continue to struggle with attendance.

League totals still remain above 2011's due to Montreal's sellouts at Olympic Stadium and the opening of Houston's new stadium. Houston happens to have settled for a downtown location for its home, something that perhaps could have been done to increase attendance in Dallas, for example. New England and DC, on the other hand, desperately need their own soccer specific fields. Seemingly weak attendance (Kansas City) has turned into sold out matches after new stadiums have been opened. 

The numbers:

Team	Average	Relative	Median
DC	13751	71	13619
KC	19017	103	19777
NE	10394	52	11251
CLB	12658	62	11516
TOR	19022	83	18944
CHI	14087	70	14159
NYRB	16204	64	17114
PHI	18437	100	18526
HOU	22039	100	22039
MON	40529	199	41016
LA	23197	86	22696
CHV	12868	68	14127
DAL	13164	64	11702
SJ	11904	113	10364
COL	14507	80	13954
RSL	18344	92	17924
SEA	38627	100	38399
POR	20438	100	20438
VAN	18615	89	19271

Calling them stars: The 2012 Premier League Finale

Photo credit: Reuters

There was a dream in the city of Manchester that one day championships would cease being colored red and would instead shine a bright sky blue. Not since 1968 had something like this occurred, when the football club Manchester City last won the league title. It had been an interminable reign by Manchester United, a monopoly of sorts. But today, Edin Dzeko and Sergio "El Kun" Aguero delivered two sublime goals to lift the trophy for City and change the landscape of the English Premier League.

Today's finale was much more than just Manchester City's match versus Queen's Park Rangers. Indeed, there were another nine games occurring simultaneously. And unlike virtually every sport in America, the bottom dwellers always have something to play for: survival from relegation. So, as we watched Manchester City score a last minute, stoppage time goal, our thoughts--as Americans--were on Bolton Wanderers, Tim Ream and Stuart Holden. Their failure to win the game versus Stoke City saw them miss out on the necessary points to capitalize on Manchester City's win. The Trotters will now play in the Championship during the 2012-2013 season whilst QPR will remain in the top flight.

The Premier League finale wasn't without other moments of drama. A solid Manchester United had begun to celebrate yet another title under Sir Alex Ferguson when they got word of City's incredible comeback. Tied in points, a superior goal differential meant their crosstown rivals would lift the trophy instead. But there's more to play for in the Premier League. In contention are also spots in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League. Arsenal almost missed out on third place and Tottenham secured another try at the tournament while Newcastle United would settle for the Europa League.

Manchester City is a team built from the top down with serious cash from the Abu Dhabi group. This investment included names such as Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Samr Nasri, David Silva, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez, Kompany, among others. And yet Manchester City, always a classic football club, saw some serious trouble as recently as the late 90s when they were relegated two divisions down. Since then they rekindled, restructured and revolutionized play with Roberto Mancini. And yes, money did buy the players but it took talent to manage talent and time to let things come to fruition.

For us, the impartial fans of the game, today's slew of matches--all available on FOX networks and ESPN--were nothing short of a spectacular sendoff for the most thrilling season in world football: record setting number of goals, record-setting points for Manchester City, the drama of Tevez and Balotelli, the rise of players like Cisse, Welbeck and Jelavic, the revindication of Clint Dempsey, and the rise of Eric Lichaj and Tim Ream as American defenders in the best league in the world.

We held our breath today as we heard news about Bolton scoring while Manchester City was winning the game. When QPR scored all of Manchester turned red with United. When QPR scored again the sky blue started fading to night black. When Dzeko scored the equalizer hope was regained by the faithful and when Aguero found the back of the net even those that had forsaken their beloved team reset their tears from mourning to joy. The players enjoyed the game and soccer lovers thanked the athletes on the pitch for their commitment, desire, fantasy, calling them stars.

Americans in Premier League Relegation

Photo credit: Bolton Wanderers

Just 6 days away from "Survival Sunday" and things look decidedly grim for at least one team in the English Premier League that houses Americans: Bolton Wanderers. This is specifically significant because it would mean that two of our younger soccer stars would begin the next season in the second division: Tim Ream and Stuart Holden.

For Tim Ream, it has been a whirlwind couple of years. From draft pick in 2010 to a rise as a new center back option for the national team in 2011, to struggles in the latter half of last year, and finally, a transfer to the Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. Stuart Holden, the former Houston Dynamo creative midfielder has been playing for Bolton for the past two years and was a key to their success during the 2010-2011 season. Unfortunately, he has been plagued by injuries and hasn't been able to help his team.

Another team that was in threat of relegation was Aston Villa. The Villans were almost in the bottom three until this weekend's tie versus Tottenham Hotspur gave them the point to breathe a sigh of relief. Villa is home to another great American prospect: Eric Lichaj. The young right back has been seeing consistent playing time and even scored a goal a few weeks ago. His versatility as a defender means that he can play either wing and is a good--although not natural--option at left back for the national team. Along with Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson and Timmy Chandler, Lichaj forms the nucleus of the outer defense for Klinsmann as World Cup qualification gets underway.

The final weekend of the Premier League looks to be epic at this time. Bolton will be away at Stoke City. Only a win, coupled with a Queens Park Rangers loss to Manchester City, will allow them to remain at the top flight. For QPR, the stakes are high since Manchester City will look to take all three points at home to secure the trophy. And, after watching their recent matches versus top competition, it is likely that City will win. Since Manchester United will be away to Sunderland, it is plausible that they may not get all three points. Nevertheless, nearly all teams at the top and bottom of the table will be playing for meaningful positions, be it a place in the Champions League, the Premier League title, or safety from relegation.

Good luck to everyone. This should be fun.

The Special One returns with Madrid's triumph

Photo credit: Reuters

There are a few characters in life worth noting. In sports, in soccer for the purposes of this blog, this may take the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Valencia, Clint Dempsey or Zidane. However, this is only part of the equation. The other side is the coach and there are plenty of big personalities out there when it comes to this category: the cool and calculating Franz Beckenbauer, the fiery brilliant Sir Alex Ferguson, and the antithesis of modesty: Jose Mourinho, a.k.a "the special one."

Jose was never a great player and only participated in modest clubs in the Portuguesa Liga such as Belenenses and Comercio e Industria. He first started as a translator for Sir Bobby Robson with Sporting Clube, Porto and eventually Barcelona. His full coaching career began with Benfica and Lieira, where he found modest success, although the latter attained its highest ranking in the league in club history.

Mourinho's breakthrough came while coaching Porto, which he took new heights by winning the UEFA Champions League with a win over Monaco after eliminating Manchester United, Lyon, and Deportivo La Coruna. As a side note to American fans, the win versus Manchester United came thanks to a serious gaffe by Tim Howard. After Porto came a blockbuster move to Chelsea of the English Premier League in which he earned £5.2 million. Jose won the Premier League in 2005 and 2006, as well as the League Cup in 2005 and 2007 and the FA Cup in 2007.

After continuous disagreement with the Chelsea owner, Roman Abromovich, he resigned from his post as coach in 2007, having never won the Champions League. This would change, however, when he became coach of Inter Milan in 2008. He won the Italian Serie A that same season and also in 2010. Further, in 2010 his Inter achieved the treble by winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.

His move to Real Madrid in 2010 was reminiscent of his appointment at Chelsea: a big money club in need of a trophy. Indeed, Barcelona had been champions ever since Guardiola took over as coach in 2008, so re-taking the crown was a paramount objective for the Madrid club. Mourinho still finished second in his first season (2010-2011) but won the Cup that same year. However, he injected new talent into the squad with moves for Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, and Angel Di Maria. Thus, he effectively crowded out his midfield that already included Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. However, this depth would become valuable in the future.

Also in his inaugural season with the club, a meeting with Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League resulted in some interesting Mourinho "moments." He was critical of the referee in the first round at the Bernabeu and was suspended for the second game at the Nou Camp. Always a competitor and always outspoken, he alleged that a "conspiracy" was behind his loss to the Catalan club.

Mourinho toned it down this past season. He quietly (relatively) and steadily gained ground in the league as Barca faltered time and again. He was outspoken still, yes, but he took a far more calm approach to his job. As Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League competition last week, we could see his maturation in his frustrated yet surprisingly calm reaction to his star players, Kaka and Ronaldo, missing their respective penalties. The Special One knew that he had taken the necessary next step in his career by winning the Spanish Primera outright. Earlier that week his team had won at the Nou Camp by the score of 2-1 over Barcelona, effectively ruling the Catalans out of the crown.

The Special One isn't done yet. He knows he must achieve his goal of bringing the Champions League crown back to Madrid. He certainly has the tools for the job but his approach must be more cautious in the defense than it was against Munich. Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, in particular, stretch the back line too far through their constant forays forward. This pulls the central defenders wide and exposes the middle of the pitch for the opposing squad. Pepe's recourse in that match was to concede a penalty.

Perhaps it will be in the defensive end that Mourinho finally strikes gold for Real Madrid. One or two more acquisitions or departures might achieve this goal. He has, after all, a potent attack that spreads talent into every blade of grass on the pitch. He's a special coach that doesn't shy away from substitutions in the middle of the first half. His theme isn't a "we must win," but instead chooses another phrase: "we cannot lose." As he once put it when he was hired at Chelsea: "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."

Congratulations, Mr Mourinho. The soccer world wouldn't be the same without you.

And now for something funny:

The Manchester derby hype prevails

Photo credit: EPA

When a soccer match takes over the headlines of CNN.com, you know something special occurred. Today, in England's version of Monday Night Football, the Premier League match of the century took place as Manchester City's Etihad stadium hosted the Manchester United - Manchester City derby. This rivalry is as fierce as any around the world: Real Madrid - Barcelona, Celtic - Rangers, Inter - AC Milan, Emelec - Barcelona de Guayaquil, Yankees - Mets, Giants - Patriots, UNC - Duke. The game transcends time and space and everywhere in between.

The atmosphere was as exhilarating in the stands and on the pitch and all the way to each one of the 650 million video display devices around the world. Yes, that's almost 10% of the world's population watching a league match. And the reason for it, besides the considerable talent on the field, is that at the time only 3 points separated Manchester United (83 pts) and Manchester City (80 pts) with two more games to go. Anything but a win would be a huge blow for City.

The game certainly didn't disappoint. From Yaya Toure's strength in possession to Lescott's timely clearances to Kompany's game-clinching goal, Manchester City had plenty to offer. Sir Alex Ferguson offered a watered-down version of the mighty Manchester United. No Valencia, no Hernandez or Welbeck, no Ashley Young. He went with experience and defensive midfield in Paul Scholes and Ji-Sung Park. Sadly for him, for Man U's hopes, and for the millions of United fans out there, this approach did not work.

The introduction of Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck midway through the second half was countered by Roberto Mancini's defensive substitutions of De Jong, Milner and Micah Richards. Mancini cluttered the midfield and United looked as directionless as it had for most of the game. And although Samr Nasri and Aguero could have put the game away on multiple chances, the truth is that City had this game under control after about the 15th minute. They rarely lost the ball and, when they did, United could not muster a good shot.

All is not settled in England after this game. Indeed, it is far from it. Manchester City will need a positive result at Newcastle, a feat almost as difficult as Manchester United, and then they will need to take care of business when they host Queens Park Rangers. United, on the other hand will be hosting modest Swansea before finishing the season at Stoke City. 

From the Scholes versus Toure scuffle to the Mancini versus Ferguson war of words, this game did not hold anything back. There were plenty of "ahs" and "no's" today as well as cries and singing the Blue Moon. Even Liam Gallagher of Oasis and Diego Armando Maradona were singing a modified version of the Beatles' "Hey Jude." Instead, the chant was "nananana, nananana, City." For us neutrals it was a beautiful thing to watch City defeat United when one contemplates that someone new might win the title this season and that it will come down to, possibly, the final game of the competition. This is why we skip work on Mondays or stay up late to watch the game, because this Manchester derby was worth the hype.

MLS Attendance Statistics 2012 Week 8

An update on DC United's attendance: the actual "soccer" capacity of RFK for this season is 19467 and not 24500 (as it was previously). This changes DCU's standings in the relative category significantly and puts their current average relative at 71%. Their average numbers are still well below what it used to be for the perennial champions of the 1990s and early 2000s. That number is currently 13751. In 2007, the average was 20967. New England and Columbus are also well below the numbers in previous years. 

As a corollary to a previous post (week 5), the relative versus average attendance for the Eastern conference is provided above. Philadelphia and KC both have similar stadium capacities and are both selling out their home games. More interesting, perhaps, is the New York Red Bulls at 17426 average attendance but only 69% full. Bigger stadium but relatively weaker attendance than Toronto, for example. 

Torres, golden and Chelsea defeat Barcelona

 Photo credit: AP

There are few matches that leaves a person saying "wow" over and over again. And yet that's how many of us felt today as Fernando Torres sidestepped Victor Valdez and gingerly guided the ball to the back of the net to tie the score Chelsea 2 - Barcelona 2. Having won the home match by 1-0, Chelsea sent the reigning champs packing and sealed their trip to the UEFA Champions League final.

Barcelona is the epitome of the beautiful game: tiki taka from Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, steady defense in Puyol and Pique, searing runs by Dani Alves. And yet even the best, most talented teams can be undone by true teamwork and total football. Today's version of total football came in the shape of total defense. Brian McBride put it well when he said that rarely does one see two forwards playing left and right backs. And Drogba, Kalou, and Torres performed this labor splendidly. Di Mateo held the team in line for a perfect defensive second half despite being a man down.

John Terry's character mistakes, and we won't put that lightly, nearly cost the team this game. It's not the first time his actions have pained the team and perhaps the "blues" were able to look past it and regroup on the field. True, if Ramires had not struck the first goal for Chelsea, we would be praising Messi and company, but it's the undeniable determination of the Chelsea defense and a scintillating performance by Petr Cech that brought it home for the London team.

This was a tale of two talented forwards: Messi and Torres. Messi has the privilege and the stigma of being the best player in the world. He thought his high, controlled penalty kick would beat Cech but the woodwork had other ideas. Same thing happened later in the match when a low shot from the Argentinean was negated by both Cech and the left post.

Then there is Fernando Torres. The 50 million pound attacker has seen lower goal production than most goalies get in recent times. But today he showed the composure necessary to ice the game and rise to fame once more. All is forgiven when a player scores a clinching goal like this. And he also played phenomenal defense when he had to, so we must argue that he showed his worth as a complete player today.

The most credit goes to Meireles, Ramires, Ianovic, Mikkel, Bosingwa, Cole, for sealing the 18 yard box with barbed wires and holding a perfect line. This is how the game was won, in the back with the most solid teamwork defense that club soccer has seen in recent years. This is how Italy won World Cups, how Greece won the Euro, how the United States got to the 2009 Confederations Cup final. Lead from the back, always, to ensure a game. A perfect ten in the second half for this defense of ten men on the pitch.