Best soccer stadiums in MLS, 2010 version

It was like a fellow who had a closet full of pants – except that only a couple of them actually fit. I mean, so what if you have a bunch or trousers if most of em’ make you look like a big ol’ ding dong dork?

Another way to put this, the list of sucky stadiums, once so long, is now pleasantly brief in MLS. And the list of MLS grounds that don’t suck, once so notoriously short, has grown with a joyous flourish. It gets really plump next year with the addition of two grand grounds, the stately Red Bull Arena and a magnificent little 18,500-seater on the waterfront outside Philadelphia.

I bring this up today after the recent news that Toronto will dump the fake stuff and grow real grass in 2010, creating what will now be a complete, 100 percent crackerjack of an MLS venue. BMO Field has always had so much going the right way: a properly sized, packed stadium just beyond downtown Toronto that was the very envy of most clubs. The only thing that kept it from being spot-on perfect was the artificial turf.

Now, the wash of red at

1. Red Bull Arena

Home of: Red Bull New York

Plusses: Have you seen the place (which opens next spring)? I look at the web cam shot and the stadium renderings and the iPod in my brain starts playing Thomas Dolby: "Good Heavens, Mr. Sakamoto, You’re Beautiful!" Plus, there’s FINALLY a soccer stadium in the nation’s largest market. It’s. About. Time.

Minuses: Not sure what’s around the place, but if it’s like the rest of New Jersey, there’s a great chance that weeds and concrete are involved.

2. Rio Tinto Stadium

Home of: Real Salt Lake

Plusses: The best looking stadium created yet, not too far outside town, with a light rail stop attached.

Minuses: It could only be more perfect if the grounds weren’t 10-12 minutes outside downtown.

3. Union Field at Chester

Home of: the expansion Philadelphia Union

Plusses: This bad boy hasn’t even opened, and I already love it! It’s a waterfront ground at the base of the Commodore Barry Bridge, and I think it will be a just-add-water, instant success the day it opens.

Minuses: It’s in suburban Chester, although that shouldn’t be too much of a detriment in this case.

4. Home Depot Center

Home of: L.A. Galaxy, Chivas USA

Plusses: Biggest capacity among the "smaller" grounds

Minuses: The field is frequently crappy due to numerous non-soccer thingys

5. BMO Field

Home of: Toronto FC

Plusses: Engaged supporters who show up ready to rock

Minuses: No roof. Yes, it’s a nitpik. But it is a place prone to nasty weather a few times a year

6. Qwest Field

Home of: Seattle Sounders FC

Plusses: A grand and beautiful stadium; the lower bowl is always packed, about 31,000 strong

Minuses: Artificial turf. ‘Nuff said.

7. Toyota Park

8. Pizza Hut Park

9. Crew Stadium

10. DSG Park

(The last four are more or less interchangeable … each with a lot of good mixed with a little bit of not-so-good.)