BMO Field
Skydome
BMO with out a doubt. It's our home in rain, wind, snow, temperature. We will be there.
The only way Dome would be worth it is if MLSE pulled out all, and I mean all, the stops to fill the place up. I do think having 50K for a CCL qf would create some excitement. But I have zero confidence they would or even could do that.
It's not that much earlier than the start of the MLS season. In fact it 2nd leg QF might conflict with start of the MLS season based on the calendar rumors I've heard.
Last edited by Detroit_TFC; 10-19-2011 at 10:37 AM.
My personal preference would be BMO, although I see advantages & disadvantages for both.
A major technical issue (as explained at the Town Halls) are the uninsulated pipes & washrooms at BMO. At one of the early games so far, they had plumbers running around & running water non-stop to keep the pipes from freezing & dealing with related issues. Some pipes still burst. This game could be colder. As a fan, you can always go into the Food Building washrooms if you want it more comfortable. But they need to provide a certain number of functioning washrooms based on the capacity of the stadium & # of tickets sold, so the Food Building alone won't do for the whole stadium.
I've posted this in a number of threads, but from what I recall it was touch and go whether the stadium would be ready for our home opener this year (which was March 26). BMO may not be a viable option for an earlier game...
Edit: See Auzzy's post (three up) for cold-reated problems at BMO
Last edited by JonO; 10-19-2011 at 10:46 AM.
The other problem Paul Beirne insinuated at on Twitter is that there might not be any turf available to put down temporarily at SkyDome.
I'm thinking it will be at BMO.
He mentioned flying it in. LOL
Did they put down grass at Olympic Stadium for that match? And if so where did they get it?
It's march, it's going to be cold, but it's not going to be too difficult to play a game at BMO. If it was a month earlier then I'd vote Skydome.
Also, the cold weather can only help us against a Mexican team who's primary goal will be their domestic league (assuming Tuaro doesn't get a result tonight).
Well, if TFC wants success in this competition year in and year out - time to fix these issues...
Insulate the pipes - its not rocket science...
I have been to many full outdoor stadiums (including outdoor washrooms - those being ones with no sealed in rooms & insulation) in -40 degree weather...
If they think this year is a one-off, they do nothing and we'll play at the dome - if they expect this team to be in this situation many times in the future, they eat the relatively small cost of winterizing the pipes...
If they need help, call the guy who runs Ralph Wilson Stadium or Lambeau Field - they do it year in and year out...
Carts...
"...Money wasn't tight, but it like, it wasn't right..."
i really, really, really, really dont get this advantage talk about how it might be better for our players to play in the cold.....
WHO LIKES PLAYING IN THE COLD?
Not plata - ecuador
Not Johnson - jamaica....
the only people who should/would be "accustomed to the climate" would be Ashtone, and Doneill, and you should ask them what they prefer
I wish i can find the thread where this has already been talked about, and where i said it would determine the hardcore fans, and got bashed for saying that... but oh well
Last edited by Shway; 10-19-2011 at 11:31 AM.
Unique type of game like one at Rogers would peak some interest. I'm sure more people would be there then at BMO. Shut down a half of the 500's (each end) and it will be packed....if priced and market correctly.
As far a home field advantage by playing in the cold... that's nominal. Our players would suffer as well. Ryan Johnson?
What about a compromise... Rogers Centre with the roof open?
Voted Skydome, but I know it'll be at BMO.
The precedent for a game at BMO was earlier this year when Columbus played RSL at Crew Stadium on February 25th in the CCL Quarter Finals. Here's a quote from the match report (25 degrees F is -4 C)
The match-time temperature was 25 degrees with a wind chill of 19, but the only snow in sight was plowed off the field earlier in the day. Still, sections of the stands and areas of the concourse were closed because of ice, and a yellow ball was used before a hearty crowd of 4,665.
is this a serious thread?
I don't get why growing up somewhere south automatically puts you at a disadvantage in cold weather. I grew up in Canada, and can tell you I HATE, HATE, HATE playing in cold weather. It would be no advantage for me, that's for sure.
The big draw of Roger's Centre is, well, the big draw. The first game of hopefully our first playoff season, it would be awesome to get Toronto's buzz back around the team by packing 50,000 into a game.
home is where the heart is!
don't care what montreal did. and i really don't care how many tourists can fill skydome with its plastic carpet and comfy seats in that ridiculous HVAC controlled library-like insanity. and i certainly don't care about how much money MLSE can make on concessions.
i'd wanna stand in the cold, shoulder to shoulder with fellow RPB, supporting my team, in our tin house, in the great outdoors, where the only thing heated is the only thing that needs to be heated, the turf
Talked to Tom Anselmi at the game yesterday. (Best road game experience ever, by the way.) He said that they incurred a huge bill for burst pipes before the late March game this year. Doesn't think they can get BMO ready and said Rogers Centre is very likely.
Also said they almost certainly wouldn't put grass down for the game if played there. He asked Winter, who said that if we had the opportunity to train on turf for a couple weeks before the game, it might actually be a competitive advantage.
^ Thanks for all the details. Looks like SkyDome it is.
Just hoping its GA for supporters. This is TFC's chance to make amends with fans.
Hell, starting in March, make all future CCL games GA in specific sections. The will see the value of the goodwill in more renewals.
He said the same last month at the final town hall. Said the repair bill was over $100,000. Given how much colder it can be for the pipes for a March 7th game, than a March 26th game, it seems like the decision is already made - unless either Tauro beats Pumas ... or Rogers are complete dicks.
A little weather network check shows that last march 6-8 the temp was below freezing pretty much all day everyday. Highest was about 1 and lowest about -10. For the return dates it was ranging up to +10 and never below frezzing. SO BMO isn't that bad an option. As long as the grass has recovered.