Grassroots movements: from Philadelphia and Seattle to Milwaukee and Rochester , some atypical locations are emerging as key American soccer towns - N.Y

Soccer Digest, Oct-Nov, 2003 by Clemente Lisi

A STEAMY SUMMER NIGHT AND a threatening thunderstorm couldn't dampen the mood of the 68,396 fans who packed into Lincoln Financial Field to christen Philadelphia's newest stadium. The sellout crowd that filled the $512 million facility weren't there to see the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, but to watch Manchester United defeat Barcelona 3-1 in a preseason warm-up. "It's wonderful to see teams like this in Philadelphia," says 53-year-old Derek Ross, who applauded the two teams from his upper deck seat as the players made their way onto the field. "Actually, it would be great to see any two teams play here."

Ross, who remembers rooting for the NASL's Philadelphia Atoms, says people would, support a team at Lincoln Field because there is a market for it. "This used to be a soccer town," recalls Ross. "I think it can be again."

Manchester United's pit stop in Philadelphia last August solidified the city's position as a viable market. The construction of Lincoln Field brings the promise that a pro team will play there in the future. Over the last few years, the City of Brotherly Love--along with Seattle, Rochester (N.Y.), and Milwaukee--have become soccer hotbeds, rivaling traditional markets such New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

In the past decade, the popularity of youth leagues, the success of the U.S. men's and women's national teams, and the creation of MLS and WUSA has raised interest in these four cities. Fans in each of those towns hope to root for their own men's professional First Division team.

Manchester United's four-game swing through the U.S., which also included a match in Seattle, was further proof that these cities have a thirst for the game. "Seattle sold out in 27 minutes, Philadelphia in 46 minutes, which is faster than [Bruce] Springsteen," says former New York Cosmos forward Giorgio Chinaglia, who worked as a broadcanter for Fox Sports World during United's tour. "This is nothing new."

A rich soccer tradition, a new stadium, and an investor with deep pockets are the ingredients that many in Philadelphia hope will land them an MLS franchise. Once home to the Atoms, winners of the 1973 Soccer Bowl, Philadelphia saw its team disappear once the league folded in 1984. Over the past few years, rims have supported both the Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League and the WUSA's Charge. In 1991--the most recent time the U.S. men's team played in Philiy-44,261 people watched them play on artificial surface at Veterans Stadium.

The centerpiece of the game's rebirth has been the completion of Lincoln Field, a cozy venue that is ideal for soccer. "We designed the stadium with soccer in mind," says Eagles president Joe Banner, who has been in talks with MLS about investing in an expansion team. "We put in four locker rooms, two for soccer, and made the field wide enough for the game. We designed the lower bowl so that there would be plenty of energy for soccer even with a crowd of 25,000."

Manchester United's tour also highlighted how strong Seattle is as a market Seattle Seahawks Stadium was turned into a sea of red shirts and twinkling flashbulbs as a sellout crowd of 66,722 filled the new $430 million venue to watch the English champions dismantle Celtic 4-0. "I was surprised by the Support," says United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. "You don't expect that in America. It was a great atmosphere. The crowd really lifted us."

Although MLS Commissioner Don Garber says Seattle is on his expansion short list, the city has not been able to produce a viable ownership group. The ideal situation for MLS would be to form a partnership with Paul Allen, owner of the NFL's Seahawks, but talks over the past year have failed to produce a plan. Garber has ranked Seattle, where the NASL Sounders played from 1974 and 1983 and this year played its ninth season in the A-League, behind Philadelphia in MLS's quest to expand and find the right combination of fan support, a stadium, and ownership structure. Garber says the 10-team league will add two teams in 2005 and six more by 2010. "At this point we are focusing on the best possible cities with the best investor and the best facilities," he says.

The Sounders have grown in popularity over the past three years and this season moved into the $430-million Seahawks Stadium. The Sounders left behind Memorial Stadium, a 12,000-seat venue dubbed a "monstrosity" by fans because its artificial turf surface was held together with duct tape. In its only game last year at the new stadium, the Sounders set a single-game attendance record when they drew 25,515 fans against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Rochester (N.Y.) has also emerged as a strong market with a loyal fan base. The Rochester Raging Rhinos have become the A-League's flagship franchise, winning the 1998, 2000, and 2001 A-League titles and the 1999 U.S. Open Cup. Off the field, the Rhinos have led the 19-team league in attendance in each of its first seven seasons, drawing about 11,000 fans a game.

The Rhinos hope to draw even, more fans when they move into a new stadium next year. Construction began last spring on PaeTec Park, a 17,500-seat stadium that will house the team as well as host high school and college soccer games. The project will cost $27 million and will feature 13,000 lower level, a 4,500 bleacher section and 20 corporate suites. Although the facility has been billed as a "multipurpose outdoor stadium," Rhinos officials are confident PaeTec Park will give the team an edge when MLS decides what dries will get an expansion franchise. "We are very pleased with-the unique new cost-efficient design of PaeTec Park," says Rhinos president Frank DuRoss. "This design will allow for an intimate setting for smaller events, while still providing a capacity of 17,500."