FC New York Finds Home at Belson Stadium
Belson Stadium
USL PRO team FC New York announced Tuesday that 2,600 seat Belson Stadium on the grounds of St. John’s University in Jamaica Queens will be the team’s home for its 2011 inaugural season.
St. John’s University is located in the heart of Queens close to all major parkways and Jamaica station – the transportation hub of Queens. The Long Island Railroad, numerous subway lines and several MTA bus lines are nearby at Jamaica station.
“Belson Stadium is an ideal home for us to start and the administration and athletic staff at St. John’s University really worked hard and wanted us here as much as we wanted to be here,” F.C. New York President Doug Petersen said. “I had always said our first choice was to build a permanent home in Queens; working with St. John’s is a step in the right direction. In the past year our plans and visions have been embraced by a number of area leaders and, equally importantly, the fans on the street.”
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And this is supposedly the “most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS” 2,600 seats?? What a joke…
Check this one-liner from the official press release “Belson Stadium is a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific turf facility and one of the nation’s premier home venues”
Premier venues?? LOL
I think FC NY is going to have bigger problems then the stadium they’re playing in once the Cosmos get announced. No one is going to want to go see them with the Red Bulls and the Cosmos close by. NY isn’t a minor league sports town I’m guessing, heh.
2,600 seats is probably fine for them right now. First year team in USL PRO, which in it’s former life drew an average of 1,697 fans per game. The bigger question I have, is Queens the best place for the team to play. I have to admit I really don’t know NY enough to say but I’ve heard some other boroughs suggested.
As you well know, NY is a HUGH city and I think it could support all of them. D3 is a different animal. Tickets will be affordable and it’s more likely that fans who come to games will come from areas closer to the stadium. It’s local soccer where you can get to know the players on a personal basis and heckle the visiting bench from up close. Those are some of the virtues of D2 and D3 soccer that need to be sold to the fan more in my opinion.
@BQ – Agree for sure, but it just seems that over the years some cities and towns seem more in tune with this type of atmosphere and product, and some just can’t be bothered. Miami is a great example to me, right in my own backyard. I am not at all surprised by the lack of support for any pro soccer team ever named Miami or that played in Miami. Ft. Lauderdale on the other hand has the history and tradition, and IMHO, the right fanbase to make D2 work…..if Traffic will just make the effort to market them properly. BTW, any whispers you’ve heard yet about the Strikers final rebranding, or when it might come?!?
@Jacques
Sometimes small facilities are pretty nice and state of the art, especially if it has University money going towards upkeep. Smart move by the team to trade back rubs with someone who owns a good field. Were expecting 3,500 people a game like Charleston is able to pull in? I hope they get 2,600 people a game, that stadium can always be expanded, and maybe one of those 2,600 fans might draw up a better logo then the one they have right now. Which looks as bad as a Queen’s unlit back-alley.
Looks like a decent place.
I actually like the choice of venue. I actually have no clue, but when was the last time a professional soccer team played in NYC? If they could an average of 2K, that would be pretty good for this team. It doesn’t look like they’ve spent a lot of money so far and as long as the stadium rent isn’t too high, it’s a good deal for them.
@Jaques: What did you want them to do Playah, build their own little Red Bull Stadium– seriously?
Would you prefer for them to rent out Mets (Citibank or whatever it is called these days) Stadium.
It seems to me like starting small makes a lot more sense for them.
If they got into someplace too big, something tells me that you would be clubbing them for that decision. LOL
You are a hard Dude to please.
NASL is a joke………
@ yankiboy
what Jacques is refering too is
“most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS”
@Bill
What does your last input have to do, at all, about a USL PRO team’s choice of stadium? Is the stadium so awesome it makes an entire league look like a joke. I need to fly to Queen’s New York to see the majestic piece. I’ll ask a local in a fur coat to take me there.
FC NY could compete on ticket price.
@Sylvain: Thanks a lot. I got what he was referring to the first time. I just found his take amusing.
Depending on how you personally want to define the throw away “sophisticated…” line, USL is the most sophisticated, seeing as how they are sanctioned and the NASL isn’t. There are a lot more reasons that they can lay claim to the sophisticated title.
Depends on your preferred criteria. If NASL can claim that they are the most “sophisticated”. Especially if they get sanctioned.
Of course, if we all want to split hairs and scrutinize all of the propoganda from both leagues, we could make fun of both the NASL and USL for talking about North America this and that when the last time I checked, the Mexican Liga de Acenso (the real Mexican second division) is probably the “most sophisticated men’s professional soccer league in North America below MLS”. But hey–it’s a matter of opinion.
Or that the NASL statement where they graciously acknowledged that “the USSF is the governing body of soccer in North America” and respected their postinion regarding the removal or the provisional second division sanctioning status–the FMF & CSA might have something to say about that.
But, hey, maybe geography has changed since I studied it. They declassified Pluto as a planet so I understand that things change.
If we split hairs (which can be really fun to do) then the NASL and thej USL definitely provide a lot of laughs with their propoganda.
That’s all I’m saying.
@Bill: The USL is a joke.
(so is my typing).
yankiboy, you are a joke(r) and it’s much appreciated.
Having been to New York many times for business and with quite a few friends that live there. I don’t see this team getting a lot of support. I want all of our leagues to be successful at all levels. But the fact of the matter is you are putting a minor league team and that is really what the leagues are below MLS in a major league city.
Belson is actually a really nice little stadium. Of course, it’s small, but it doesn’t need 30,000-seats does it? It serves its intended purpose very, very well. I think they made a good decision here, certainly better than playing out in Nassau County.
It might just be me, but I’d rebrand the team as Queens something. Brooklyn and Staten Island have baseball teams named for them, why shouldn’t Queens have a team too? When (if) the Cosmos reappear they’ll obviously be New York, along with Red Bull, makes more sense for the little team to go hyper-local.
I htink most teams in NASL or USL would love to play in the stadium. Sure beats the place the Charlotte Eagles play and FC Tampa’s new home.
And the vibe I am getting is alot of NYC folks are willing to give them a chance after they see this as a positive step. the job of keeping those people is going to be the key for the FO of FC New York
Interesting, there have now been two stadium announcements, one with Tampa and one with FC New York, and according to the majority of both posts, neither will survive because of the market/location…yada yada yada……
Funny thing about New York. The folks in Queens don’t like the folks on Staten Island who don’t like the folks in the Bronx, all of whom don’t like the folks who live in Manhattan.
For a town of what, 15,000,000 that live in the 5 boroughs, to attract a fan base of 2,600 means that FC New York has to attract .00017% of the local population to succeed.
If they only marketed to the folks in Queens, they only need .0011% of the Queens population to succeed.
QUEENS
Population in July 2007: 2,277,251.
Males: 1,096,620 (48.2%) Females: 1,180,631 (51.8%)
Median resident age: 35.4 years New York median age: 35.9 years
Estimated median household income in 2009: $55,120 (it was $42,439 in 2000)
Queens: $55,120 New York: $54,659
http://www.city-data.com/city/Queens-New-York.html#ixzz1CAEOegnH
Higher median income than the surrounding area, and a young population to boot. Not a bad place to take roost, I would venture.
Now let’s look at St. Petersburg, FL
Population
Total City Population 246,378 Total Households 107,581
Total MSA Population 2,783,374
Median Age 42.8
Segmentation
Female 52.1% Male 47.9%
Income
Average Household Income $58,711 Median Household Income $45,903
So, assuming a 2,600 fan base for FC Tampa, they would have to attract .0009% of the population of the metropolitan area (which includes Tampa).
Being in St. Petersburg, with a population of 246,378, they have to attract 1.06% of the population in order to fill a 2,600 person stadium.
I would say New York has a much better shot at filling seats from a pure population approach than St. Petersberg does, and this is not based upon speculation, it is based on population statistics.
This is also why MLS wants two teams in the area.
“Sure beats the place the Charlotte Eagles play”
Ugh. That thing.
The reason the Rowdies aren’t playing in a stadium similar to the on FCNY is going to play at is because the closest thing we have to something like that here is too small. the soccer stadium at the University of Tampa is great, but it only seats 1,500. Al Lang Field sits 7K and if they do a good job at covering up the dirt, it could be a nice place to watch a game and will be beat playing at GSF again! The Rowdies drew about 3,800 per game last year and with a schedule of mainly weekend games, I could see that being more around 5K if not more.
“And this is supposedly the “most sophisticated North American men’s professional soccer league below MLS” 2,600 seats?? What a joke…”
How’s the place Edmonton’s planning to play in?
Where do the Islanders play again? I’m drawing a blank.
What does Miami draw again? I used to know.
You see what I’m saying?
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts – nor can you overlook inconvenient facts without getting called out on it.
“The Rowdies drew about 3,800 per game last year and with a schedule of mainly weekend games, I could see that being more around 5K if not more.”
I’ll take that bet right here, right now, today. I’ll take the under.
Meh, that’s a nice little stadium for sure. But I have serious doubts that, even in a city with some 15 million+ plus people, a D3 club will draw. Especially with the buzz about the Cosmos coming back(and that totally unprofessional MS Word logo FCNY has).
On that note, why aren’t Garber and the rest of the MLS brass telling New Yorkers to support the lower level team they have now(FCNY) as a show of support before getting a second MLS club? That’s what they told fans here in South Florida. I agree that it’s important to walk the walk and support your lower level team as a path to MLS, but the way MLS is giddy like a school girl, publicly gushing over the Cosmos returning, is downright insulting to fans here, and everywhere else that isn’t served served by MLS.
I have family in NY who held off buying season RBNY tickets because there was no good way to get to New Jersey, where the games are played (this was when they played at the Meadowlands, I think Harrison isn’t so bad due to PATH). I have no idea where the Cosmos will play. A MTA ride to Queens plus a brief walk is an advantageous location.
NY is plenty big enough for a USL Pro team to carve out a little niche. See how well minor league and college teams fare in baseball and basketball. If they fail it won’t be because location and competing MLS teams do them in.
Come on Ulta, you know why. You’re just frustrated. If you need me to spell it out it’s because they don’t have 10 people that constantly email Mr. Garber telling him there should be an MLS team in Queens. On top of that it’s a brand new team. There is no history there. Miami FC has been there for 4 years. Its not even close to the same situation.
@Bart
For once Bart i do have to agree with you. If FC New York keep everything within a reasonable Budget. I wish the teams in USL-Pro luck while still holding a grudge towards USL front office, Phil Rawlins, and the SoccerSam show. But MLS, NASL, USL-Pro Teams, and PDL teams i wanna see do well in their respected markets.
I would love to see both teams in San Antonio succeed but if you asked me to choose a team I will support Hartman’s Scorpions over SSE team because i just have more respect for Hartman over SSE. That Simple.
But here is to the Future and hoping for the best of US Soccer.
@Bart – Those are nice statistics, and I do believe there is some relevance to your quoting them. But to think population and median income are the ONLY things that can determine how well a team will or will not, or should ot should not draw, is kind of short-sighted and not looking at the big picture.
For example, the city of Miami. I’m far too lazy to look up the population and median income statistics, but I’m sure that in theory they SHOULD be able to easily bear out a case for very good support numberswise for a D2 team, heck maybe even MLS. BUT, history has shown us that Miami does not support pro soccer. I know my neighbors south of the county line in Dade don’t always agree with me on this point, but I just don’t see pro soccer working there for a lot of reasons.
Anyway, I agree with Ultra that there are some factors working against a D3 team surviving long term in NY most likely. And Dan, agree with you as well. I’ve certainly got some general dislike for the USL brass, but ultimately I would love to see the US soccer pyramid grow and stabilize at all levels, because I think that’s what would be best for the MNT and the sport in general in our country.
@ Strikers Return
Ok, these particular statistics may not be the only set of criteria to make market study decisions, but population against market penetration for fans is one feasibility study conducted by every professional sporting league in every industry.
Forgetting your personal, emotional bias towards the market you want D2 to stay alive in, let’s take this one step further.
What other fundamental market criteria should be used to determine the decision making practice of whether a team should or should not be placed in a given City?
Businesses don’t run blindly, they make decisions based upon risk criteria. I think the discussion should look at what makes a successful market for D2 and D3. To do that, I ask, should we look at Vancouver/Montreal and Portland for D2, or some other markets? What statistical criteria has contributed to the success of those markets?
For D3, let’s look at Charleston and (you give me another City).
As a group, let’s jointly come up with analysis that is fundamental and objective, not subjective to look at marketplaces for long term success for each league. That is, if you really want to………
This is a good start for a new team in a new market. At least they are not playing on a high school field. Someone mentioned Charlotte which has to be the worst setup in any league. The turf is garbage.
“As you well know, NY is a HUGH city and I think it could support all of them. D3 is a different animal. Tickets will be affordable and it’s more likely that fans who come to games will come from areas closer to the stadium. It’s local soccer where you can get to know the players on a personal basis and heckle the visiting bench from up close. Those are some of the virtues of D2 and D3 soccer that need to be sold to the fan more in my opinion”.
I couldn’t agree more. It kind of makes me wonder why they didn’t pick a name with closer ties to the community. FC Queens has a nice ring to it. Plus, it’s not like there’s any 3rd division clubs in England running around calling themselves London FC.
To StrikersReturn
Since I’m on the topic of marketing, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why do you find the Strikers name so appealing? Maybe I’m just too young appreciate what the old NASL accomplished, but I can’t help but feel that a lot of these name revivals (e.g. Rowdies, Cosmos, Strikers) are meant to appeal to a nostalgic fanbase that doesn’t really exist.
I’m not trying to be a douche or anything. I think supporters should have the right to call their team whatever they want, and you’re clearly a devoted supporter. I’m just genuinely curious as to what sold you on the rebranding.
As somebody who’s not in Florida but likes the Strikers rebrand, the part that sold me is the first part of the name – the part where they’re going to be called Ft. Lauderdale.
It’s always cool to see names that acknowledge to the fans where they play. This could be a regional name – Carolina and Minnesota, not Raleigh and Minneapolis – or a city name like Ft. Lauderdale. But it’s hard to get behind your hometown team if it doesn’t want to admit to being in your hometown, and people actually in the bigger town it claims as its own aren’t necessarily going to feel like it represents their town if the games don’t even happen there.
@Bart – What I’m talking about is admittedly hard to quantify. You’re right on that the population and percentage of it that shows a level of disposable income that SHOULD be able to support pro teams is absolutely necessary info. If Donut Hole Iowa has 200 people making $1.5 million/year, they certainly have the income, and they might have 100% passion for pro soccer, but obviously they’re still not going to be able to support a team.
I think you’re trying to come up with a clear cut formula that makes logical sense, but history has shown us that it is still a holy grail of sorts. Why does pro soccer overwhelmingly thrive in Seattle, but not in Miami? I think beyond the population and income figures, you’ve got demographics of both age and ethnicity to consider, and some things that at this point are still intangibles really. Charleston is a great D3 city. I’d say Richmond seems to be another. Des Moines is an absolute fantastic PDL city. Could any of these markets continue to thrive the way they do if they moved up the ladder? Charleston and Rochmond have both tried it and dropped back right?
I think you almost have to look at each market as an individual study. All the things we’ve mentioned, plus stadium location that I just thought of as well. But it’s those things that are still unknown that plague the system from being able to be more consistent across the board. Maybe there are no magic bullets that every market could employ to some degree to find success. Maybe some are destined to succeed, while far too many more just don’t.
@coconut monkey – The idea of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers rebrand has a lot of positives to it. Since you asked my personal opinion, I’ll try to stick to that. It’s pretty simple actually. When I was a boy, my father would take us to Lockhart to watch the Strikers. I LOVED it. Even went over to Tampa once to watch them play the Rowdies. To this day I can still recall what it was like, how much enjoyment I got from the game and my experience with it. I am anxious as heck to take my son now to experience the very same thing.
I am a very big sports fan. Tradition and loyalty to your teams is something I learned as soon as I was old enough to hold a baseball in my hand, because from then on, I was one of the suffering, yet blessed members of Cub nation. LOL Sports fans in South Florida who are not transplants that grew up loving teams from where they are from, they just haven’t really built this type of sports relationship with their teams yet. To some degree with the Dolphins, but none of the others. However, there is one exception to this – the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. We didn’t win titles like the Cosmos did, but EVERY year they had a good team, made the playoffs, and it was exciting to be a part of. It is still Ft. Lauderdale’s only home team. The brand still has meaning here. That’s why Traffic needs to name the team Ft. Lauderdale, or just forget the whole Strikers thing altogether.
I like the new FC Clip Art stadium. It is perfect for this team and for a Div. III league in this country. Good on them for thinking smaller instead of ridiculous like Orlando City Soccer Club inside of a 60,000+ stadium.
Now, I am having a hard time figuring out how the posting of this article backs up the argument that IMS is a NASL propaganda arm.
Can someone explain that one too me?
“Can someone explain that one too me?”
It’s a “beard” post.
@StrikersReturn
Thanks for the explanation. I can totally understand where you’re coming from.
In more ways than one actually. I’m glad I’m not the only Cubs fan on IMS. Lol.
Also, you (and teucer) make a great point about the importance of the Ft. Lauderdale name. A club should make every effort to represent the people they play in front of, switching the name is a big part of that. As a Chicagoan, I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think a lot more teams would be better off if they emulated the Green Bay Packers instead of the LA… oh wait.
@CoconutMonkey – Yes my father and grandfather blessed/cursed me with the joy/heartache of Cub fandom from a very early age. LOL In regards of the Strikers and the rebrand, I think it bears consideration this way as well, which shows a less “hometown view” of the situation. If you look at what Miami FC has decided to do, it can easily be seen as an admission that the branding and operations of the team as Miami FC Blues was a failure. I think everyone around here would have trouble arguing this statement. What they are doing, with both the advent of the NASL, as well as the rebrand, is saying we think it CAN still work here, we just need to find the right formula. Wiping the slate in South Florida and starting over was a smart move in my opinion. Now comes the next step – where do you go from here to make things better then before?
Grabbing ahold of the ONLY pro sports franchise Ft. Lauderdale has ever had, and promising to treat it with care and respect, as it DOES mean a lot to the history and tradition of this area is what Traffic decided on. Now, you don’t want to be a complete regurgitation of the old. Portland, Vancouver, Seattle, and San Jose aren’t exact replicas of their NASL origins. So put your own stamp on things, update it of course. BUT – and this is huge, and again the parallel can be easily seen in the aforementioned teams, some basic thinkgs HAVE to stay in place, otherwise you’re missing the whole boat on the point of reviving a once meaningful brand. To call this team anything other then the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers would be like shooting yourself in the foot when you just jumped out of the starting gate with the quickest start you possibly could. It would also be saying that you were completely unconvinced by the success of Seattle, and what looks like moer of the same to come this year for Portland and Vancouver.
I guess what I’m saying is, from an emotional (quick Kenn, hide your eyes!) standpoint, there are certainly plenty of people like me who will be reached by the rebrand simply by putting that Ft. Lauderdale name on it. But I think it also makes good business sense to look at what has worked for other teams, particularly ones that you might have aspirations to follow down the path they’ve taken to success. Saying you’re going to revive a popular, respected brand in a community, treat it with dignity and respect because you recognize how people feel about it here, and them not even getting as far as following through on the most basic concept of it – the name – frankly it renders most anything else you do afterwards moot. If the point is to resurrect the Strikers mystique to revitalize your fanbase, then I don’t see any other logical choice then to use the proper name. If you’re not interested in that, then you should have never gone anywhere near the Strikers name and come up with a COMPLETELY new and original marketing and branding idea for the team.