Quote:
Originally Posted by SunDevil
I wouldn't be surprised if Phoenix never gets an expansion team in MLS unless there is a guarantee that ownership will build something like State Farm Stadium where there is a natural grass field and an air conditioned stadium. The Season runs from March to October. No one WANTS to play a game outdoors in Phoenix in June, July, and August (and parts of September), which is half the season.
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The stadium plans released stated they would have features that would counter-act the heat and help keep the fans and field cooler than the outside temp. Plus, if anyone thinks that playing in MLS open stadiums in Orlando, Dallas or Houston are any cooler than here in AZ, they are mistaken. Heck...when I lived in Ohio, sitting at a Columbus Crew game in 87 degree weather was pretty brutal when the humidity was factored in.
Also, the Rising games currently sell out every game. So if the fans are willing to sit in a pop up stadium with no overhead or shade or cooling whatsoever, they will come for a full-blown MLS stadium that is designed to be cooler.