I am not sure that the city of Palo Alto will allow more soccer games at Stanford Stadium--tis creates too much traffic, especially down a well-traveled thoroughfare that happens to go by the home of one of Palo Alto's political elite.

I'm not sure league soccer matches can be played at Stanford; I seem to remember that the field is too small to meet international standards. True?

The field size is fine. Those of us who hang out on the Earthquakes forum agree that Stanford would be an ideal interim venue for the team. However, the price tag is high--Stanford apparently charged Chelsea over $100,000 for last Saturday's event.

The traffic would be much less of a problem for regular games, which typically draw around 20,000 fans. And regular attendees are familiar with the traffic patterns and public transit options so they know how to get to games without creating (or getting caught in) traffic jams.

For info on getting your season tickets, see Web Link

This is an exciting day for soccer fans throughout the Bay Area!

I think (although I might be wrong) that FIFA wants a bigger touch line boundary around the field than there is at Stanford. This would mean that Stanford is out for World Cup official matches, but I have no reason to believe that MLS league has a problem. As far as I am aware, other MLS teams use football fields without problems.

The soccer match held there just a few days ago between Chelsea and Club America was very successful. In fact, for many it was their first time at the new stadium. Everyone I have spoken to believe that it was a fantastic facility for soccer matches.

We aren't talking about World Cup qualifying matches or anything. We are talking about about 20 dates with the same size attendance as a Stanford Football game.

Furthermore, I bet most in Palo Alto hardly noticed a difference in traffic the day of the Chelsea v Club America match, and there was nearly 40,000 people there.

I think this is a great opportunity for the University to showcase all of the hardwork and money that went into the re-construction of Stanford Stadium. I find it hard to believe that so much money was spent for it to only be used about 10 times a year.

Stanford stadium doesn't meet FIFA's World Cup guidelines, but would qualify for MLS games. It is probably the only option for the new expansion team at this point. Stanford stadium is grossly underused and it would be great if it's utilized for the world's game:futbol in latin America, football in Europe, aka soccer in this country.

Can someone clarify something? Is it the Houston team returning to San Jose or is it a new extension team being formed? I have read/heard conflicting accounts.

It's a brand new expansion team. The Houston team, now named Houston Dynamo, formerly the San Jose Earthquakes, remains in Houston. My guess is that their coach, a former San Jose player and a Bay area native, will end up coaching the new expansion team.

We are finally getting a professional soccer team with a local owner who has a deep commitment to the sport and to the fans--something the Earthquakes lacked in their previous manifestation.

There's much speculation about coaches and players at Web Link

My thoughts are that we need to get another European soccer giant on the team, either as player or manager, and then when we get against Beckham we can really see what the game is all about.

It would be great to see more soccer at Stanford. The new stadium is fantastic -- any excuse to get out there for a sporting event is welcome.