SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes finished their 2004 home schedule with a crowd of 25,311 against the Kansas City Wizards on Oct. 9, pushing their final home attendance average to 13,001, a number that marks the highest home attendance since 1999. The final average attendance of 13,001 is an increase of 24 percent from last year's final average of 10,466.
"We're proud that our attendance has increased over 24 percent this year," said Earthquakes general manager Alexi Lalas. "This is a result of the hard work and dedication of everyone in the entire organization. We'd like to thank all the fans who have supported the Earthquakes throughout what has been a truly unique and challenging year."
The Quakes saw ticket sales increase in all areas in 2004, as the team increased season tickets to an all-time high and an increase of over 22 percent from 2003, while the club also set a record for group ticket sales in this season. Group sales increased by 70 percent from 2003 to 2004.
The final two games of the season saw the team record two of the six highest attendances for MLS games ever at Spartan Stadium. On Sept. 25 against the Lobs Angeles Galaxy, the Quakes had the third highest attendance in Spartan Stadium history with a sold-out 27,030, trailing only MLS' Inaugural Game on (April 6, 1996, 31,683) and a match on May 12, 1996 against the Galaxy (31,728). Last Saturday's 25,311 fans marks the sixth highest attendance in club history. The two games combined set a record for the highest attendance for two consecutive games (52,341). The Earthquakes continued to expand their relationships with the youth soccer community in 2004 as well, increasing their "Student of the Game" partners from two leagues to 13 leagues. The objective of the "Student of the Game" program is to provide partner youth soccer leagues/clubs with an education-based curriculum designed to assist league coaches, referees and players in further development of their soccer knowledge and teaching abilities. Through this program, the Quakes have strengthened ties with the California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).
"We would like to thank CYSA and AYSO for support of the 'Student of the Game' program," said Lalas. "The program has been a tremendous success this year."
San Jose Earthquakes MLS Cup playoff tickets for the Western Conference semifinals are on sale now. Individual ticket prices for the Earthquakes 2004 playoff tickets are $45 (VIP), $25 (West Sideline), $15 (East Sideline and Corners) and $12 (Endzone). Youth and senior tickets are available for $12 on the East Sideline and Corners and for $10 in the Endzones. Season ticket holders should use their Playoff Game "A" ticket in their season ticket booklets for this match. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave. in downtown San Jose, by logging on to sjearthquakes.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 408-998-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, 925-685-TIXS, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Tower Records, Rite Aid, and Ritmo Latino. Discounted tickets for groups of 15 or more are available by calling 408-985-GOAL. The 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs begin the weekend of October 22-24. If the Earthquakes do not qualify for the playoffs, customers will be entitled to a full refund at their place of purchase.
