The only current facility I could see being fit for temporary play is the Foothills Track, which recently went through an upgrade from the city. If a soccer specific stadium is not built in Calgary, no soccer team will succeed.
What about Hellard field at shouldice, can probably get 1500 or so in there, might be a good place to start.
What about Hellard field at shouldice, can probably get 1500 or so in there, might be a good place to start.
I think that would be a suitable size for a startup PDL venue, however it is a football oriented venue. FC Edmonton currently plays in Foote Field, and it is terrible to watch a game in. Calgary needs to build a soccer specific venue, IMO something like Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston would be perfect. The stadium has a capacity of just over 5000 and cost 5.7 million to build (albeit in 1999)
If Hargreaves has a chance to play for West Bromwich, he'll do it. They're sort of a 'tweener team, but are far more superior competition than the Whitecaps.
On a side note, I remember playing against Hargreaves when he was a kid playing for Foothills. It was funny last year when English announcers were discussing Hargreaves during a Man U game, and popped a mention in for Calgary and the Foothills soccer club. One of them said "Foothills? I've never heard of it, so I can't imagine the quality of a club like that." It made me laugh.
I've been torn as to which Cascadia squad to support since I used to live in Portland, but have spent much more time in Seattle in recent years. I have followed the Sounders since their addition to MLS, but this year Portland threw a wrench in the works...
I tried to fight it for a while, but I've set aside my affair with the Sounders and have become a full fledged member of Timbers Army.
The matches against Seattle this season sealed the deal. I went into them with an open mind, but it was obvious from the first Portland goal where my heart lied. I still like Seattle, and root for them against everyone else (perhaps the hatred will build in time), but the Timbers are my squad going forth.
I just bought my tickets for the match against Chivas USA next month, general admission, north end. Should be fun!
West Brom fans were greeted to a health and safety nightmare of a celebration in a pre-season friendly against the Portland Timbers, as the MLS side's mascot sliced through a massive log with a chainsaw after each goal.
Another loss for TFC last night but goals from two of the new guys. Frings, Johnson and Koovermans all look like they will be solid additions. Hopefully we can make some noise in the CCL.
TFC have become excruciating to watch. I think the bandwagon on that club has emptied in full. It's a shame because they were the hottest franchise in town the first few years.
The Canadian clubs are not doing too well. Toronto and Vancouver are the 2 worst teams in the MLS, and Montreal is 2nd last in the NASL. Only expansion FC Edmonton look like they'll see any postseason play.
Also, here's a video of how Toronto was introduced last night in Kansas City. Pretty funny if you ask me.
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TFC plays the 1st leg against Real Esteli in the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League tonight at BMO Field. Real Esteli are the Nicaraguan champions. Should they move on, they would join the round robin stage in a group with UNAM of Mexico, Tauro of Panama, and the winner of FC Dallas / Alianza.
The MLS All Stars are also playing Man U tonight in New York
TFC plays the 1st leg against Real Esteli in the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League tonight at BMO Field. Real Esteli are the Nicaraguan champions. Should they move on, they would join the round robin stage in a group with UNAM of Mexico, Tauro of Panama, and the winner of FC Dallas / Alianza.
The MLS All Stars are also playing Man U tonight in New York
I watched that game and is was brutal. Field looked like my yard after I left the lawnmover in the shed for at least a week. Result was good for TFC though. That's what's nice about Champions League or the Canadian teams competition or whatever. Some chance for some positive results even though their MLS campaign has been sucky at best.
Just about everybody on the pitch should be wearing clown outfits in this Toronto-DC game. A lot of players and officials making complete fools out of themselves.
I didn't get a chance to see the entire game (missed the early red card, and then most of the second half - so pretty much everything exciting), but it did appear to be a pretty interesting gong show. Saw the "game in 6" on the Toronto FC web site, and there was a bit of everything. Keeper sent off, coach ejected, a penalty, the De Rosario story line, late drama.
of a celebration in a pre-season friendly against the Portland Timbers, as the MLS side's mascot sliced through a massive log with a chainsaw after each goal.
