Welcome to the newest installment of Babblin' Brooks. With the regular season coming to a close, the MetroStars have many things to look forward to. Not only are they making a big push for the MLS playoffs this season, but they will also be calling Harrison their new home in just a couple of years. Yes, the Metros will be moving out of Giants Stadium and playing their soccer just a few miles away.
Before I start my babblin', let me bring you back to last week's trivia question:
When was the last time a team had a record over .500, but did not make the MLS Playoffs and what team was it?
I am sad to say that nobody was able to guess the correct answer. I think I dug a little too deep into my vast knowledge of MLS. The correct answer was the San Jose Clash in 1999. Back then, the West dominated the regular season. With a record of 19-13 (37 points), the Clash were not even close to a playoff spot, as the Colorado Rapids secured the last position with a 20-12 record (48 points).
However, I did appreciate the variety of guesses that I received. Many people thought it was the Miami Fusion of 2000, but they were only known as the best team not to qualify for the playoffs, point-wise, with 41.
In fact, if you read closely, you could have found the answer in an article written by MLSnet.com columnist, Marc Connolly. "See you in September"
Anyway, on to the babblin'.
After years of discussion, the MetroStars dream of a new stadium has finally come true. In early August, the team announced an agreement to build a 25,000-seat, $100 million stadium in Harrison, N.J.
I spoke with the organizer of the entire deal, AEG President of NY/NJ, Nick Sakiewicz. Along with AEG, there were others involved that deserve credit. The township of Harrison, Hudson County and the state of New Jersey all participated in bringing the MetroStars their new stadium.
It took over four years to get the deal finished, but the former GM of the Red and Black is happy they can move forward.
"Like any public development project, there is a series of negotiations," said Sakiewicz. "Once Harrison was identified as the site, it was a couple of years of real negotiations."
Harrison was the selected spot for the new stadium over several other cities. Among the others were Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City and various New York locations.
While initial discussions were taking place, the deal took a hard hit once the September 11 attacks occurred.
"There were more important things to focus on, than the deal, for obvious reasons," said Sakiewicz. "But we kept looking forward and negotiations started, again, early in 2002."
The new stadium is one of many that some MLS teams are constructing. Along with the Metros, the Columbus Crew built Crew Stadium, Los Angeles moved from the Rose Bowl to the Home Depot Center and FC Dallas recently made Pizza Hut Park their new home. Also, the Chicago Fire's Bridgeview Stadium is set to open next season.
"The Galaxy benefited greatly from the [Home Depot Center] aspect. For the MetroStars, it is critical that they have a home of their own," said Sakiewicz. "They will have a better atmosphere, playing surface and comfort zone."
Not only will the players benefit, but the fans will as well.
"This will be a real soccer stadium where you can see everything on the field," said Sakiewicz. "There will also be two trademark roof structures over each sideline, which will provide sound and shelter for bad weather. It is going to be a very special place where none other exists in this country because it is a soccer stadium built in a very urban setting."
The fans will benefit during the game, but they will also be able to take advantage of the numerous transportation options that will be around the Harrison stadium. Fans can choose to take mass transportation. Buses and trains are two easy ways to access the stadium. Spectators can also drive, with the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate-280 all in the vicinity. As mentioned before, the stadium is in an urban area, so fans that live nearby will be able to walk.
"Fans can even choose to fly if they wish," said Sakiewicz. "Newark Airport is only three miles away."
If they get there early, there are several restaurants, shops, bars and other places to visit near the stadium. There are also other accommodations that fans will enjoy.
"It will be a stadium that will be very unique and very deep in soccer tradition," said Sakiewicz. "We will have a room dedicated to soccer history, with photos, artwork and design throughout the entire building. No matter where you are sitting, you can participate in soccer history that is so strong in this area. There will be a very European and international feel, with the streetscape and residential detail built around it. The stadium will be a very powerful structure, built above the ground so it can be a landmark seen from many miles around."
The opening of the new stadium in Harrison is planned for June of 2007.
The bottom line is that the MetroStars needed this new stadium. Now they can play in a place of their own, not having to worry about football, concerts, the fair and any other events that go on in and around Giants Stadium. This is just the next step to proving to the world that soccer, here in America, is growing by the day and will be known as a powerhouse, in years to come.
This takes us to the trivia question for this week. The MetroStars have a home-and-home series against the New England Revolution over the course of the next two weeks. If you recall, these two teams met up in the 2003 MLS postseason, in the same home-and-home situation.
What was the aggregate score (both games combined) in their postseason matches?
If you have the answer as well as any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at sbrooks@metrostars.com and I will be happy to respond.
I would like to thank Nick Sakiewicz for taking some of his time out of his busy schedule to answer some of my questions. If you have any more questions regarding the stadium, feel free to e-mail me and I will be happy to respond.
Thanks for reading and be sure to catch the Metros when they host the New England Revolution this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. If you can not make the game, it will be broadcast live on MSG.
That's all the babblin' I have time for this week. Go Metros!
