The LA Galaxy announced Thursday that the club will create a safe standing section (SSS) in the north end of Dignity Health Sports Park ahead of the 2020 MLS season, continuing a growing trend among MLS franchises to provide supporters a section of the stadium designed for fans who plan to stand for the full 90.
This trend toward safe standing sections includes the Galaxy's crosstown rivals at LAFC, who have made the 3252 a centerpiece of their Banc of California Stadium, as well as Minnesota United FC and Orlando City SC, who each made a distinctive SSS part of new stadiums opened within the last three seasons. (Orlando's Exploria Stadium, opened in 2017, will show off its steeply-inclined section, simply called "The Wall" by the Lions fans who occupy it, for this year's MLS All-Star Game on July 31.) The San Jose Earthquakes also have an SSS of their own at Avaya Stadium.
According to the site's article,"The new renovations will provide safe-standing for [Galaxy supporters' groups] Angel City Brigade and Galaxians and are part of a multi-year plan to improve Dignity Health Sports Park, which includes the installation of additional bars on the North concourse and additional premium seating areas in the coming years."
The club is promising a commemorative scarf for each fan who signs up for a 2020 season ticket package in the newly-revamped north end.
“We believe Dignity Health Sports Park is one of the finest soccer-specific stadiums in the United States, and investing in our supporters and their resources is paramount,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein in the website article. “Creating a safe-standing section in our stadium will have a tremendous effect on our players on the field and will continue to give us a home field advantage when playing in front of our supporters. Our supporters are the lifeblood of this club and we are excited to provide them with the necessary seating to support the LA Galaxy.”
