In Ambition Rankings, Grant Wahl says Mapfre feels like a high school stadium; 2017 season ticket forecast is down

Mapfre Stadium is historic in its own way, the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS. But in 2017 it feels like a high school facility, which is why Columbus needs to do something about building a new home for the team.

While Crew SC season ticket membership has experienced significant growth across the last four seasons, we are forecasting an overall year-over-year reduction in FSE’s for the 2017 season.

Link to Source

Garber speaks with Wahl at SXSW (Austin) – Precourt was there too

Really good conversation with MLS commissioner Don Garber at #SXSW. Thanks to everyone who came! (📷@SeanDennisonMLS)

Link to Wahl Acknowledging Conversation w Garber

According to Wahl, Anthony Precourt was also at SXSW: “Now that I think about it, last time I saw Anthony Precourt was at SXSW this year … in Austin.Link to Wahls Tweet about Precourt

The MLS in Austin blog also mentions Precourt at the Garber event at SXSW

Link to a video of Garber and Wahl at SXSW

Don Garber weighs in on Austin’s stadium issue

With a sizable and diverse population, Austin would fit in among MLS expansion candidates and, as a market, could have more to offer than some of its competitors. However, one of the reasons it is not among the 12 cities currently being considered for an expansion franchise is its stadium situation, which has affected professional soccer.

Link to Source

Loughnane states his goal is to sell out all 17 home games

The Crew has a goal to sell out all 17 regular-season home games. It’s one the club won’t achieve in 2017, as 15,023 was the announced attendance for a chilly home opener against Chicago and 11,067 attended last Saturday’s game against Portland. (The official capacity of Mapfre Stadium is 19,968.) Still, Loughnane said, the club hopes to set attendance and home sellout records for a fourth straight season. Last year, the team’s average attendance was 17,125 and it sold out six games.

Link to Source