MLS 2011 Average Attendance

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson

It's amazing what a new stadium, with a capacity over 10,385 can do for a team's average attendance. Combine that with a team that is doing well on the field and an atmosphere that has vaulted the Cauldron up into the upper echelon of supporters' groups and you'll see a massive increase in attendance. That's what happened for Sporting KC this year. As I documented throughout the season, KC easily set a new all time high in attendance this past year, finishing the season with 17,810 for their average attendance. In the 5 previous seasons, KC had finished last 4 of those seasons, the only exception was last year when KC finished ahead of San Jose who also played in a small temporary venue.

This season though, KC finished in the top half of the league in average attendance, finishing 8th behind Portland and Philadelphia, but ahead of Houston and Salt Lake. Here's the average attendance rankings

1. Seattle - 38,495
2. LA - 23,335
3. Vancouver - 20,408
4. Toronto - 20,267
5. New York - 19,691
6. Portland - 18,827
7. Philadelphia - 18,280
8. KANSAS CITY - 17,810
9. Houston - 17,694
10. Salt Lake - 17,594
11. DC - 15,196
12. Colorado - 14,838
13. Chivas - 14,830
14. Chicago - 14,273
15. New England - 13,222
16. Dallas - 12,861
17. Columbus - 12,185
18. San Jose - 11,858

Hopefully next year KC can increase their attendance since they won't have a 2 and a half month home stand.