Earthquakes: Santa Clara Bound
The Earthquakes, MLS’ newest expansion team, will play at Santa Clara University, a little west of the center of San Jose. From the press release:
The San Jose Earthquakes will make upgrades to Buck Shaw Stadium beginning in mid-November. The project will include renovating the full-sized practice field, adding approximately 5,000 temporary seats which will increase Buck Shaw Stadium capacity to approximately 12,000 seats and installing a portable state-of-the-art digital video board. The project will also reconfigure the lights specifically for soccer and expand the hospitality areas.
See the plans here, from the Soccer Silicon Valley blog.
It all looks rather cramped, but I presume this is only a temporary arrangement. The crowds will be small for MLS. It’s not too far from where the original Earthquakes played, so I assume the remaining fanbase will be pleased. One hopes they will draw well from around the Bay Area.
Any of our readers live there, and have any thoughts on the new franchise and location?
Photo from The FC Project on Flickr
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I’m sure the Quakes guys are going to come in here and flood the place, but I’ll just say it’s a great venue. Small and sparse, but great sight lines and the seats are right up on the field. The section where our supporters group is going to sit is all of maybe fifteen feet from a corner flag. It would never fly as a permanent home, but for two years it will be a rocking stadium and should be packed with only 12K seats.
Sounds good for a temporary stadium, certainly better than the Fire’s stay in Naperville, for example. Any other news from the supporters’ group, Max?