[MLS ATTENDANCE] Toronto FC drew the smallest announced crowd in its four-year history, but the crowd of 18,394 for its 2-0 win over Seattle on Sunday was still the largest MLS crowd during a week marked by crowds of less than 10,000 in Dallas and New England.
Attendance for the TFC-Seattle game was below the capacity of 20,844. but still recorded as a "sellout" because all tickets were sold. The game was played on a rainy and cold afternoon at BMO Field.
Traffic problems kept some fans from getting to the stadium. A main road leading to BMO Field was blocked off for a parade.
The Dallas game, which drew only 8,512 fans, was a Thursday night game, a 2-2 tie with Seattle, televised on ESPN2. New England's low crowd (8,142) watched the Revs fall, 2-1, to Colorado.
The New York Red Bulls' third game in its new stadium, against northeast rival Philadelphia, drew 15,619, up from 13,667 who came the previous week for a clash against Dallas and down from the 24,572 who came for the season opener.
The Chicago Fire's second home game of the season drew nearly half (11,312) of its home opener. In 2009, the Fire's home attendance dipped to 14,689 from 17,034 in 2008.
The Fire beat Houston, 2-0, leveling its home record at 1-1-0. In 2009, the Fire had a dismal home record, winning just five games.
MLS ATTENDANCE:
|
Club |
Week 5 |
2010 Home Average |
2009 Home Average (Final) |
| Chicago |
11,312 | 15,794 | 14,688 |
| Chivas USA |
14,389 | 15,213 | 15,091 |
| Colorado |
-- |
10,784 | 12,330 |
| Columbus |
14,322 | 13,929 | 14,446 |
| D.C. United |
-- |
19,535 | 16,088 |
| FC Dallas |
8,512 | 9,028 | 12,440 |
| Houston |
-- |
16,499 | 17,047 |
| Kansas City |
10,045 | 10,219 | 10,053 |
| Los Angeles |
-- |
20,508 | 20,416 |
| New England |
8,142 | 10,470 | 13,731 |
| New York |
15,619 | 17,953 | 12,490 |
| Philadelphia |
-- |
34,870 | -- |
| Real Salt Lake |
-- |
19,970 | 16,375 |
| San Jose |
-- |
9,835 | 14,114 |
| Seattle |
-- |
36,077 | 30,942 |
| Toronto FC |
18,394 | 20,186 |
20,344 |
| Leaguewide |
12,592 |
17,092 | 16,037 |
David Borts
