Los Angeles And San Diego May Be Very Close, Yet Still Very Far A Part!
What a difference 90 miles can make!
On one end, you’ve got politicians, all on the same page, getting things done.
On the other hand, there’s infighting, disagreements and finger pointing.
Enthusiasm, cooperation and accomplishments.
Disconnect, bickering and chaos.
L.A. vs S.D.
It’s the Tale Of Two Cities!
Los Angeles.
San Diego.
The ‘City Of Angels’ is doing everything right.
‘America’s Finest City’ is a train wreck.
The latest feather in the Angeleno’s cap is a glorious Banc Of California Stadium.
It will house Major League Soccer’s newest expansion franchise.
The Los Angeles Football Club.
Scratching Their Heads
Meanwhile, the state’s second largest city is still trying to figure out where to build a new facility.
Los Angeles had no problem.
‘L.A. Live’.
It’s the brand new heart beat of downtown, where all the action is.
Staples Center. The Nokia Theater. The Convention Center. The ESPN Zone. The Grammy Museum. 5-Star accommodations. Luxurious dining. Glamours shopping.
And only a stone’s throw from the Los Angeles Coliseum and LAFC’s open air stadium.
Copy Cat? Why Not!
San Diego should have done the same thing.
The ‘Gaslamp Quarter’ would have been the ideal location.
It’s jumping year round.
Covering 16 1/2 blocks between Broadway and Harbor Drive, and 4th and 6th avenues, ‘The Gaslamp’ houses 94 historic buildings where you’ll find plush dining, lively nightclubs and elegant shops.
And Petco Park, home of the Padres, is just a stroll away.
So why not build a state-of-the-art stadium smack, dab in the middle of everything?
Good question!
Could it still happen?
That’s up for debate.
Losing Battle
Executives and politicians spent more than 13 years trying to hammer out a stadium deal to keep the Chargers in San Diego.
Now, two separate groups have qualified initiatives for the November ballot in attempt to construct a stadium that would house an MLS expansion franchise.
Please!
Soccer City proponents and those favoring a proposal backed by San Diego State University are at odds.
Really? Shocking! (A bit of sarcasm here.)
No Solutions
And based on their track record, odds are nothing gets accomplished.
Which certainly wouldn’t surprise me in the least!
But instead of all the name calling that is more befitting kindergartners, how about trying to find some common ground?
A united front would be a good place to start.
It worked in Los Angeles.
And now, finally, the day has arrived.
It was, and it will be, a joyous occasion celebrated by all.
Glamorous Gathering
They cut the ribbon on April 18.
Everybody was there.
The commissioner, Don Garber.
The mayor, Eric Garcetti.
The ownership group, including Peter Guber, Tom Penn and Magic Johnson.
Political luminaries, including County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
The celebrities also chimed in. Will Ferrell was there, along with Mia Hamm and hubby Nomar Garciaparra.
And let’s not forget the coach, Bob Bradley.
Or a couple of the players, Carlos Vega and Benny Feilhaber.
They all had gathered under a crystal clear deep blue sky to welcome the Los Angeles Football Club.
Banc Of California
And they did it with the support of an energetic fan base who were introduced to the brand, spanking new Banc of California “soccer specific” facility.
A beautiful, open air, 22,000 seat stadium that gives a new meaning to “state of the art”.
Built on the grounds where the Los Angeles Sports Arena once stood, this $350 million structure will house Major League Soccer.
In it’s heyday, the Sports Arena was home to the Lakers, Clippers and Kings. It also hosted the 1960 Democratic National Convention.
Memories included Michael Jackson’s “Bad” Tour, Madonna’s “Blond Ambition” Tour and numerous concerts by Bruce Springsteen.
Springsteen once called the Sports Arena, “The Dump That Jumps”.
The newbie is certainly no dump, but it will jump!
Everything You’d Want, And More!
This immaculate new facility features 33 suites, 46 loge boxes and five separate club spaces. Adjoining the stadium will be multi-story retail shops and international cuisine dining opportunities.
“Rarely can you say this, this exceeded expectations. It exceeded expectations.
“When you go and you walk through it, you can’t help but say, ‘Wow, I want to be here,’ and that’s the very purpose of this building, for the city to be here,” said Guber, LAFC’s executive chairman.
“This is an incredible stadium, it’s an incredible venue,” said Hamm, the former U.S. women’s national team star.
Are You Listening San Diego!
“There’s no way you can come here and not marvel at what has been done in record time.” remarked Ridley-Thomas.
“It was done on budget, and it was done early,” marveled Penn, who is club president and one of 29 owners.
Twenty months from demolition to dedication.
And plenty of “crazies” witnessed the occasion.
“Our stadium is amazing.
“Being able to play in a completely new place is going to be very nice.
Home Sweet Home
“We are all excited to play in front of our fans,” said Vega, after training at the new venue.
LAFC players are probably just as excited about not having to get on another airplane anytime soon.
Their first half dozen games were played in enemy territory.
They opened with wins at Seattle, 1-0 and Real Salt Lake, 5-1, then lost a pair at StubHub to the Galaxy, 4-3 and at Atlanta, 5-0, before winning at Vancouver, 2-0 and at Montreal 5-3.
Despite racking up all those frequent flyer miles, LAFC is still sitting in second place in the Western Conference with 15 points.
Kansas City, which has played two more games – both ties – has 17 points.
Can’t Beat Home Cooking.
And with an advantageous home schedule staring them squarely in the eyes, LAFC is poised to charge forward.
Not surprising, they will have plenty of support.
“It’s hard to imagine what this place is going to look like with everybody in their seats and how loud it’s going to get.
“We definitely feel like this is our home,” midfielder Feilhaber said with a smile.
“All of us were just blown away. The stadium is incredible,” Bradley said. “If they don’t enjoy this, a field that’s like that and this stadium, then they’re in the wrong business.”
And speaking of business, it has been brisk.
Tickets Selling Like Hot Cakes
Unbelievably, LAFC had to cut off season ticket sales at 17,500 to ensure that last minute fans wouldn’t be shut out.
“This is like a huge birthday party,” said Guber, the executive chairman of LAFC’s ownership group who guided the project from concept to reality. “The journey was long and hard and it was arduous.”
Magic was also in a celebratory mode.
“I’m happy to be a part of this incredible ownership group. And just like we were able to turn the Lakers around into a championship team, we’re going to do the same thing with this great soccer team. We will be champions one day,” Johnson said with a twinkle in his eye.
Euphoric Opener
On this particular early Sunday evening, April 29, the revelers had plenty to be excited about.
In their first home game ever, LAFC prevailed over the Seattle Sounders, 1-0.
“I’ve had so many moments where I try to remember to soak it in,” the commissioner said.
“To remember where we were and try to pay attention to where we are now.
“And today’s one of those great moments.”
Which should make the suits squirm a bit, scratch their heads and wonder: Will there ever be a “today” in San Diego?
The Orange County Register Contributed To This Article
Image: soccerstadiumdigest.com
John Stellman
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