State of MLS facilities: where things stand on stadium development

Bonus: Click through for a team-by-team rating on how each club stacks up

People who regularly read my work – both of them – probably grow weary of me harping and hounding on stadium development. But I harp and hound for a reason. Nothing is more important for development of the domestic game. These physical structures greatly enhance financial footing and do wonders in establishing a sense of community permanence, something pro soccer has always lacked.

(It also says to the soccer haters: "Screw you, we’re here to stay. So go hide in the forest with the rest of the xenophobic jackholes and douchey ding dongs who always want to know ‘Why can’t things just be the way they used to be?’ ")

Whoa! I guess I’m feeling a bit aggressive today.

Any-who, ground has been broken on a new stadium in Kansas City, albeit outside the city center. Mistake? Could be. It’s certainly not ideal. But these choices are complex. In the absence of suitable alternatives, and in dire need of a place to call home – have you seen the poorly retrofitted baseball stadium the Wizards are currently calling home? – sometimes you just must make the best of the imperfect solution. The alternative is to remain stuck in the mud.

Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers organization is moving forward with needed renovations to PGE Park; the Timbers will merge into MLS in 2011.

As I’ve noted before, PGE Park is conveniently located downtown, in dandy proximity to the tattoo parlors, pubs, hipster hideouts and urban-friendly folks who generally cotton to soccer. That urban core, stocked with followers who will actually care about wins and losses and not just about something to occupy a Saturday night, will be a massive benefit to MLS.

So, it seems like a good time to review the state of MLS facility development. After all, even some of the best soccer fans aren’t all stadium geeks like me. I know it’s hard to keep up. So click forth for a chart-type thingy on where MLS stands in this critical development initiative.

(Ratings explainer: The following ratings, sure to create some conversation and consternation, is a comprehensive measure of the current stadium scene that factors in facility, location, state of potential upgrades and ability to utilize the existing assets.)

Chicago Fire – Where things stand: The only thing that could enhance the stadium situation at this point in the Windy City would be a light rail option into outlying Bridgeview. Pressure point: Early issues with a less-than-perfect playing surface seem to have been ironed out. Everything else looks good there – other than the fact that its corporate sponsor is undergoing some hard times at the moment. It’ll pass. Eventually. Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Chivas USA – Where things stand: The Goats play as a second tenant inside the Home Depot Center. It ain’t perfect, but it works for now. Pressure point: You remember when you got out of college and got your first place? And you didn’t really want a roommate, but it kinda-sorta made sense financially, and you could help a buddy who needed the help, too? Well same here. Ideally, Chivas gets their own place, where they can benefit from naming rights and not have to split the sponsorships and such. For now, it’s OK. But eventually, a new stadium would greatly assist the creation of Chivas’ local brand identity. Rating: 3.5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Colorado Rapids – Where things stand: DSG Park in nearby Commerce is everything it needs to be, if just a tad too far outside the city. Pressure point: They’ll simply have to work harder at cultivating fans and establishing stronger roots in the community. Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Columbus Crew – Where they stand: Crew Stadium, the granddaddy of U.S. pro soccer stadiums, where the facility initiative all started, remains a viable MLS ground. It’s Spartan, to be sure, but it works fine for the Crew and its fans. Pressure point: Ten years and no naming rights? Ownership has literally left millions on the table by over-valuing the asset – and getting zilch for it. Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

D.C. United – Where things stand: Good grief, what a mess. Pressure point: The effort to find a stadium solution is a years-long tale of fits and stops. RFK continues to be a good place for atmosphere, but that’s about it. The inability to make money there is a serious drag on MLS and, certainly, pro soccer in the nation’s capital. At some point, this thing has to get solved, or United will have to pack up and go elsewhere. And wouldn’t that be sad? Rating: 3 Stadium-stars out of 5.

FC Dallas – Where things stand: Pizza Hut Park, now in its sixth year of play, remains a swell, functional ground – so long as they can squeeze in some soccer between those profitable concerts. Yes, it’s too far out. No, there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Pressure point: They’ve just got to get the front office sorted out and begin gaining a toehold on putting more people inside their swell stadium. There are signs of progress, but organizational bungling has put this club years behind where it should be. Rating: 3.5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Kansas City Wizards – Where things stand: They’ve broke ground and should be playing in their pretty new grounds some time in 2011. Pressure point: We’ve been on this train before, and "some time in 2011," could easily mean 2012. Meanwhile, they’re playing as renters in a small ground that’s horrible ill suited for soccer, and that’s a real problem. Rating: 3 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Houston Dynamo – Where they stand: Ownership is bullish on a stadium project, biding its time inside Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston Campus. It’s not bad as a stop-gap, although the field is too tight and the park amenities are old and scraggly. Oh, and you might get cut if you wander outside the parking areas. So don’t. Pressure point: Negotiations with the city of Houston and Harris County seem to hit the skids after a recent mayoral election. Ownership had seemed close to striking a deal with the city and county for a 22,000-seat, $80 million venue just east of U.S. 59 downtown. Now, perhaps seeking leverage, management has started making noise about another site altogether. Rating: 2.5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Los Angeles Galaxy – Where things stand: The Home Depot Center would only be better if it weren’t in Carson, situated somewhere between downtown Los Angeles and Orange County. Pressure point: The only real drawback to the site is in its associated usage. On the one hand, it’s a versatile and well-liked facility that raises righteous cash by hosting concerts, X Games, Motocross and such. But all those events are hell on the field, which is frequently subpar. Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

New England Revolution – Where things stand: The play inside too-big Gillette Stadium. On artificial turf. Often with football lines. Sigh. Pressure point: They play at Gillette Stadium. Sigh. Rating: 1 Stadium-star out of 5.

Philadelphia Union – Where things stand: Planners had the benefit of looking at what everyone else has done right and wrong so far as they erected the new grounds in suburban Chester. Ticket sales look strong and, by all appearances, things will rock once they throw to door open later this year. Pressure point: The team will play its first few matches at Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL’s Eagles. The clock is ticking, boys. Get ‘er done, eh? Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Real Salt Lake – Where things stand: Rio Tinto opened 18 months ago with everything more or less in place. Yeah, it could be a little closer to downtown. But light rail goes into Sandy, and it’s not like the place is in the middle of nowhere, just about 6-8 minutes beyond downtown. And it may be the best looking stadium out there – at least until Red Bull Arena opens. Pressure point: None, really. Occasionally, the crowd counts dip below favorable rating, but the team generally seems to get things right. Rating: 4.5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Red Bull New York – Where things stand: Red Bull Arena opens in March, and what a glorious time it will be. If you haven’t seen photos, do so. It’ll be the country’s best soccer venue the minute the doors open. Pressure point: Years and years of administrative bumbling and wretched performance mean tickets will be harder to sell than they should be. Let’s just hope the stadium is so cool that fans can’t help but be in a forgiving mood. Rating: 5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

San Jose – Where things stand: Little Buck Shaw Stadium on the Santa Clara campus is a dandy little stop-gap while, but far from ideal. Lack of luxury boxes or other devises to create revenue streams will be a drain on the team until a suitable location for a new park can be identified. Pressure point: Land in NoCal ain’t cheap, and it’ll be tricky for the Earthquakes to find that suitable spot. And they lose revenue every year that a solution isn’t identified. Ka-ching! Rating: 2.5 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Seattle Sounders – Where things stand: Qwest isn’t ideal due to its size. That said, it’s the best atmosphere by far in MLS history in terms of playing in NFL grounds, and the trade-off is well worth it for all the great elements of the park. The location, downtown, near a neat row of pubs and restaurants, can’t be beat. Pressure point: As long as they play on artificial turf, there’s going to be some grumbling. Rating: 4 Stadium-stars out of 5.

Toronto – Where things stand: They got it right at BMO Stadium, where the waiting list for season tickets is longer than Tiger Woods’ roster of hussies. Pressure point: They laid natural grass (finally) in December; now we see how it holds up to the long Canadian winter once games begin in March. Rating: 5 Stadium-stars out of 5.