MONTREAL -- Getting nearly 59,000 fans into Olympic Stadium for their Major League Soccer home opener was nice, but it came with some headaches for the Montreal Impact.
The expansion team is promising changes to concessions, parking and stadium access for its second home game April 7 against Toronto FC, even though a much smaller crowd is expected at the domed stadium.
"We want to convey the message that whether there are 20,000 or 50,000 (spectators), we'll be ready," team vice-president Richard Legendre said Wednesday. "It's normal after one event that we have to make adjustments."
The Impact drew 58,912 fans to their first MLS home game on March 17, an entertaining 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire. But it was a trying experience for some fans.
Concession stands were understaffed and some access points were closed off, causing a logjam of people all trying to enter through the main rotunda. Many were late getting to their seats.
"The stadium was in winter mode, so certain access points, certain stairwells from the outside, were closed off, so people couldn't get to the second level from the outside," said team president Joey Saputo. "These are some of the issues we need to correct."
He said the provincial government agency that runs the stadium is open to making the changes.
Saputo said more than 18,000 tickets have been sold for the TFC game and they hope to get between 25,000 and 30,000. More than 1,000 TFC fans are expected to make the trip to Montreal.
"It was never our intention to have 50,000 fans every game," said Saputo. "Certain games will be better than others."
The Impact will play their first five regular-season home games, as well as one game against Toronto in the Amway Canadian Championship, at the Big O while work is completed to expand Saputo Stadium to 20,000 seats. They are scheduled to move back to the outdoor pitch on June 16.
The team also made official the retirement of veteran central defender Nevio Pizzolitto.
The 35-year-old turned down an offer to be full-time assistant coach of the Impact's under-21 team. Instead, the Montreal native will work with his brother in their family business making ornamental railings and work part-time as technical director of the Monteuil soccer club in suburban Laval, Que.
Pizzolitto was among five players from last year's team, which played in the second division, to be given tryouts with the MLS squad, but he was cut on Feb. 20.
"I would have regretted it if I didn't try out," he said. "(Coach) Jesse Marsch was very honest with me.
"I understand their decision completely. There's no animosity."
Note: The shock elimination of the U.S. under-23 team from the Olympic qualifying tournament means that versatile defender Zarek Valentin will rejoin the Impact this week. It is not known if he will play Saturday against the Red Bulls in New York.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment