MLS Seeks Mexican Solution to FC Dallas Problem
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MLS News
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 11:53
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and league officials believe they may finally have a solution to their FC Dallas problem.

The club, which plays in its own stadium—Pizza Hut Park in the suburbs of Dallas—drew a shade over 6,500 people to its match vs. Chivas USA on Sunday afternoon, a 2-0 loss.

So far, FCD is 0-2, having scored one goal and conceded five. But even with a respectable gate in the opening 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire, FCD is averaging just more than 11,000 fans per game, far below 2006 and 2007, when the club drew a decent average around 15,000 fans.

In light of that, and the fact the club is one of the more pedestrian vessels in the MLS armada, Garber has hatched a copycat plan to that of something currently being done in the NFL.

You will remember, of course, that Garber came to Major League Soccer from the NFL, having served as head of NFL International. In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills played a regular-season game last year in Toronto.

As for FC Dallas, the plan is for them is to play two regular-season home games per year in Mexico, at sites yet to be determined. This plan was set to be complete this year, but with the schedule and team travel plans already set, it has to wait until at least 2010.

In a groundbreaking agreement, FC Dallas would get 50 percent of the gate from each game, with the hosting Mexican club getting 35 percent to cover game operations cost, and 15 percent going to the visiting team to cover their extra travel and such.

FC Dallas would also get a small percentage of concessions and other revenue. MLS expects it can draw at least 40,000 fans for each match, depending on the opponent, far greater than the capacity at Pizza Hut Park.

There is no word yet on the opponents. Garber and the league will use the time between now and when the 2010 schedule comes out next winter to talk to all the teams in the league, except Houston and Chivas USA, regarding their interest in playing FC Dallas in Mexico.

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