It's a beautiful day

Harrison is finally a reality For the Metrostars, their fans, and everyone who cares about MLS, this a great day. It's been a long time coming. A look back: 7/1/2004: Metros get new home in Harrison, N.J. 2/11/2003: Metros' stadium alive and kicking 12/6/2002: Metros hope to overcome stadium setback 1/15/2002: "a new stadium can be ready in time for the 2004 season" 11/28/2000: New MetroStars' stadium and New York expansion team to be announced Thoughts: 1) AEG decided to go it alone, and this is probably the best move for the long term. They don't have to split profits, and can keep all the naming rights to themselves. For Pizza Hut Park, Hunt put in $25 million, and he'll get $25 for naming rights for the first twenty years. 2) The most anonymous team in MLS, the Colorado Rapids, are getting overshadowed again. Every team so far that's opened a stadium has had the whole year to themselves. Now we have two stadiums in one year, and guess which one will get more attention? 3) In 2007, we will have 7/12 teams with stadiums, and possibly Toronto with one, so maybe 8/14. Either way, we'll be very close to profitability (unless the league decides to spend more on players). I get the feeling that in a few years, every magazine will publish an article along of the lines of "How did MLS get so successful without anyone noticing?" It'll probably be when we get a nice tv deal.