After week 27 the numbers look like this…

  5 year comparison
  WK 27 190 GP YTD
  Avg +/- GP Avg +/- Avg +/- GP
 2005   18,227     6   15,033     14,938     177 
 2006   18,083   -0.79%   6   15,463   2.86%   15,116   1.19%   180 
 2007   18,241   0.87%   7   16,699   8.00%   16,593   9.77%   181 
 2008   15,291   -16.17%   7   16,379   -1.92%   16,814   1.33%   181 
 2009   16,844   10.15%   7   15,752   -3.83%   15,741   -6.38%   190 
YTD – 190 Games
  Average Median %<10K %>20k
 2005    15,033     12,565    27.37%   17.37% 
 2006    15,463     14,113    18.95%   18.95% 
 2007    16,699     15,174    8.42%   28.95% 
 2008    16,379     15,037    11.58%   25.26% 
 2009    15,752     14,525    15.26%   18.95% 


Here are the attendance comparisons to 2008’s equal number of home games(190):

MLS Attendance – Equal # of Home Games
  2008 2009  
  Att Cap Att Att +/- GP Cap Cap
 Seattle  0   0.00%   30,739   NA  14   94.87%   32,400 
 Toronto  20,110   91.50%   20,324   1.07%   13   92.47%   21,978 
 LA Galaxy  25,856   95.76%   19,812   -23.38%   13   73.38%   27,000 
 Real Salt Lake  15,773   77.50%   16,208   2.76%   13   76.04%   19,340 
 Houston  16,261   72.27%   16,107   -0.95%   13   71.59%   22,500 
 ChivasUSA  15,253   56.49%   15,673   2.75%   11   58.05%   27,000 
 D.C. United  19,402   86.23%   15,542   -19.90%   12   69.07%   22,500 
 San Jose  14,205   88.73%   14,782   4.06%   13   78.36%   10,300 
 Chicago  17,480   87.40%   14,300   -18.19%   13   71.50%   20,000 
 Columbus Crew  13,848   69.24%   13,714   -0.97%   12   68.57%   20,000 
 NE Revolution  17,751   78.89%   13,221   -25.52%   12   58.76%   22,500 
 Colorado Rapids  13,565   75.00%   12,476   -8.02%   13   68.98%   18,086 
 N.Y./N.J. Red Bulls  15,741   62.49%   11,861   -24.65%   14   47.09%   25,189 
 KC Wizards  10,881   104.78%   10,042   -7.72%   12   96.69%   10,385 
 FC Dallas  13,494   63.67%   9,311   -31.00%   12   43.94%   21,193 


My disclaimer about the capacity calculations

Observations

Week 27 games drew 16,844. The penultimate game at Giants stadium(huzzah, only 1 more to go) drew just under 11,000. San Jose, with new ‘stadium rumors’ in the air, had a sellout. Seattle packed the house as usual. And the Wizards sold out as well. Over 18,100 came out to Robertson in Houston and the Home Depot Center. Rainy weather couldn’t keep over 16,000 from watching the east’s top teams clash.

Player notes:

  • Chicago sign Costa Rican defender Myrie.
  • Dynamo/Wizards Swap Forwards.
  • Heath Pearce signs with FC Dallas, Sanchez Out..
  • FC Dallas’ Wallace Out for Season, Purdy Back In..
  • RBNY Releases Pacheco.
  • Steve Goff Reports: “D.C. United actived midfielder-forward Boyzzz Khumalo, who is still recovering from a broken wrist and subsequent infection, and placed Ely Allen, Ange N’Silu (hamstring) and Greg Janicki (back) on the unavailable list, which means they are eligible to play in CONCACAF matches only. Allen’s demotion cleared roster space for Khumalo, who probably won’t be able to play for a few more weeks.”
  • Earthquakes terminate da Silva’s contract.
    Week 27 Games
     
    RBNY 1 Red Bulls Reader
    New England 1 Revolution Soccer
     
    San Jose 1 San Jose Center Line Soccer
    Colorado 1 Undercurrent
     
    Seattle 0 Seattle Times
    Chivas USA 0 Chivas USA – MLSNet
     
    Kansas City 3 Kansas City – Hillcrest Road
    FC Dallas 2 3rd Degree – Buzz Carrick
     
    Houston 3 Soccer y Fútbol – Barnard Fallas
    Real Salt Lake 2 RSL – Behind the Shield
     
    Los Angeles 2 LA – Official Blog
    Toronto 0 TFC Connected
     
    Chicago 2 Chicago Fire Confidential
    Columbus 2 Columbus Dispatch – Crew XTra


    So How Are They Doing?

    Points after 190 Games
      Pts GP  PPG GD H/A
     Columbus  43   25   1.72   10   2/3 
     Houston  43   27   1.59   9   2/1 
     Los Angeles  41   26   1.58   4   2/2 
     Chicago  40   26   1.54   5   2/2 
     Seattle  38   26   1.46   7   1/3 
     Colorado  37   25   1.48   8   3/2 
     Chivas USA  37   24   1.54   1   4/2 
     DC United  36   26   1.38   1   3/1 
     Real Salt Lake  34   26   1.31   7   2/2 
     New England  34   24   1.42   -4   3/3 
     Toronto FC  34   26   1.31   -5   2/2 
     Kansas City  30   25   1.20   -6   3/2 
     Dallas  27   25   1.08   -2   3/2 
     San Jose  21   23   0.91   -13   3/4 
     NY Red Bull  17   26   0.65   -22   1/3 


    A great time of year. Every game had playoff implications. No eliminations this week and no team has clinched a playoff berth as yet.

    New England must feel like they missed an opportunity to move closer to the playoffs by only taking one point against the Red Bulls. But they were helped out as RSL lost and the Rapids were only able to take a single point in their matches. The Revs still have 1 or 2 games in hand on the teams they’re looking to displace for a playoff slot. Seattle seems vulnerable having scored only 3 goals in its last 7 games and with 3 of its last 4 on the road, but with a 4 point cushion over the playoff wannabes, they just might make it. The Wizards’ win over FC Dallas kept their slim hopes alive and pretty well dashed the Texan team’s dream of a miracle playoff run. The Galaxy did what playoff teams are supposed to do, that is, win at home as they kept TFC from moving into the top eight. Columbus is in the driver’s seat to take its 2nd consecutive Supporters’ Shield and the berth in the CONCACAF Champions League that comes with it.

    I figured now would be a good time to roll out the top 3 tiebreakers.(MLS 2009 Rules of Competition)

      1. The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current regular season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition)
      2. If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the regular season. (goal differential)
      3. If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team scoring the greatest number of total goals against all other teams during the regular season. (total goals)

    Streaking

    • LA is unbeaten in 6 road games.
    • Columbus(12 games) are unbeaten at home.
    • FC Dallas has won 4 straight at home.
    • RBNY and San Jose are winless on the road.
    • Colorado has not won on the road in 6(2 draws).
    • TFC has not lost home in 5 straight.
    • RSL is unbeaten in 8 home games.
    • Seattle is scoreless in last 4 home games.


    MLS In CONCACAF Champions League

    In Group A, Houston lost a tough match at Pachuca, but now has 2 of its final 3 matches at home, vs group leaders Árabe Unido and Pachuca. DC United got a lifeline in Group B this week by getting its first win coupled with Toluca’s win over Marathón. They also finish with two of three matches at home, but they play their last match at Toluca, who are currently leading the Mexican Primera. Then there’s Columbus, sitting pretty in 2nd place in Group C after being the first MLS club to take a win at Saprissa. They also play 2 of their last 3 at home.

    CONCACAF Champions League
     A w d l pts diff
     Arabe Unido(PAN)  2   1   0   7   3 
     Pachuca(MEX)  2   0   1   6   5 
     Houston(USA)  1   1   1   4   -1 
     Isidro Metapan(SLV)  0   0   3   0   -7 
     B          
     Toluca(MEX)  3   0   0   9   10 
     CD Marathon(HON)  2   0   1   6   -3 
     DC United(USA)  1   0   2   3   -3 
     San Juan Jabloteh(T&T)  0   0   3   0   -4 
     C          
     Cruz Azul(MEX)  2   1   0   7   7 
     Columbus(USA)  2   0   1   6   -2 
     Saprissa(CRC)  1   0   2   3   -1 
     Puerto Rico(CFU)  0   1   2   1   -4 
     D          
     Pumas UNAM(MEX)  2   1   0   7   5 
     Comunicaciones(GUA)  2   0   1   6   2 
     Real Espana(HON)  1   0   2   3   -5 
     W Connection(T&T)  0   1   2   1   -2 
    CONCACAF Champions League
    Sep 22-24 Sep 29-Oct 1
    Group Game 4 Group Game 5
    Houston plays Sep 22, 30
    Columbus plays Sep 23, 29
    DCU plays Sep 24, 30


    Houston’s upcoming schedule is: Sep 22 CCL, Sep 30 CCL, Oct 4 MLS
    Columbus’ upcoming schedule is: Sep 23 CCL, Sep 26 MLS, Sep 29 CCL
    DC United’s upcoming schedule is: Sep 24 CCL, Sep 27 MLS, Sep 30 CCL


    USMNT/MLS Scheduling – FUBAR Once Again

    On October 10, when the US plays its WC qualifier in Honduras, MLS once again has matches scheduled. San Jose at TFC at 4pm ET, Columbus at New England at 7:30pm ET and the Wizards at Chivas USA at 10:30pm ET. The time of the US match has been tentatively set for 8pm ET. It may not matter, however, for as of this writing, the game will not be televised in the US. Yeah, unbelievable, I know, but the rights are held outside of the US and therefore are beyond the control of anyone in the US soccer or broadcasting world.
    Steven Goff has the scoop on the USA/Honduras TV story, but it’s over a week old, while Bruce at dunord is reporting that the game will be on a “Closed Circuit Pay-Per-View situation in select bars only”. Stay tuned.

    On October 14 the US Men play their final WC qualifer at 8pm ET. RBNY play Real Salt Lake in Utah at 10pm ET.

    Young Guns Head to Egypt For The FIFA U-20 World Cup

    MLS Players on the US U-20 roster include:

    GOALKEEPERS (3): Josh Lambo (FC Dallas)

    DEFENDERS (6): Kyle Davies (FC Dallas)

    MIDFIELDERS (8): Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo), Jorge Flores (Chivas USA), Gerson Mayén (Chivas USA)

    FORWARDS (4): Peri Marosevic (FC Dallas), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)

    The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup runs from Sept. 24-Oct. 16 in Egypt. The U.S. will open against Germany on Sept. 26(10am ET) before facing Cameroon on Sept. 29(12:45pm ET) and rounding out group play against Korea Republic on Oct. 2(12:45pm ET).

    FIFA U-20 World Cup TV Schedule