LAFC announced the location of their new privately financed $250 million dollar soccer complex this week.
The location is currently that of the LA Sports Arena, in Exposition Park, next to the LA Coliseum near down town Los Angeles.
Managing Partner and Spokesman for LAFC Henry Nguyen Spokesperson talked about their vision of the new arena as “an intimate, really tight, urban, sound-box stadium.”
I don’t know what that means,,, but I want some.
Hank went on to say, “We want it to be one of the cathedrals of soccer in this country and around the world,” he said at a press conference at the proposed stadium site on Monday. “The great opportunity here is that Los Angeles is the world city, and this is the monument to the world’s game here.”
“We want to be an Old Trafford [Manchester United’s stadium] or a Camp Nou [Barcelona’s stadium],” he told reporters later. “We want to build that kind of not only environment, but landmark.”
LAFC is owned by a group of former athletes and superstars including, most famously, Magic Johnson, Tony Robbins, Nomar Garciaparra and his soccer-wife Mia Hamm.
Remember? Mia’s the chick that ripped off her shirt in the World Cup.
The investment group also has interests in sports franchises including LA Dodgers and Golden State Warriors.
The site of the new LA complex is literally 10 minutes with no traffic, from StubHub Arena home of the LA Galaxy.
Considering we are talking about LA, it’s really 30 minutes away because there is ALWAYS traffic.
LAFC is waiting until the area is completed before starting their inaugural season, which is expected to be the 2018 season. Just in time for Ronaldo’s contract to expire…
Related Article: Hollywood will be a Good Fit for Ronaldo
It really is the perfect location, near down town LA, minutes from Staples Center ( Home of the Lakers, Clippers and Kings ) and the site of a new NFL stadium.
It will also be nice being so close to the LA Coliseum. There is talk about using the 90 thousand-seat stadium as a venue for LAFC’s larger match ups and rivalries like the future Los Angeles Derby!
Ohh the traffic…YIKES!!
LA Galaxy/ Orlando SC
Speaking of LA teams, the current MLS Champions LA Galaxy had yet to win on the road this year. As a matter of fact, the Galaxy haven’t won an away game since August 2014.
In week 11 the Galaxy faced the expansion team Orlando City SC Lions who are having troubles of their own. Coming into this match up, Orlando had yet to win a home game this year, or ever!
Orlando mopped the floor with the Galaxy in front of 40,122 in the Citrus Bowl. The Lions exploited an injury riddled Galaxy team that was still missing their captain Robbie Keane along with star defender and USA international Omar Gonzalez.
12th min Orl 1-0 LA
The first of the Orlando goals originated from a beautiful pass to a streaking Rafael Ramos care of the Brazilian star Kaká. Ramos then crossed the ball to the back post that found the head of US international Brek Shea. Shea headed it back across the middle followed another header from Eriv Avila that found the goal and a flat-footed goalie.
34th min Orl 2-0 LA
It was Kaká who contributed to Orlando’s second goal, this time with a direct assist to number-one draft pick Cycle Larin. Kaká showed unbelievable ball control with tight movement around the sliding LA defender Tommy Meyer. After that all that was left to finish off the play was an unselfish pass to Larin that his grandmother could have finished.
56th min Orl 3-0 LA
Who else, Kaká with a penalty kick that he confidently placed after a stutter step that prematurely sent LA goalkeeper Jaime Penedo diving. The penalty was the result of Jaime Penedo slide tackling Kaká in the box after a two-man breakaway that left Penedo alone on an island.
73rd min Orl 4-0 LA
Icing on the cake, or insult to injury? That depends on what side you were on, but it was an official “dog pile” after a long range shot from Darwin Ceren that was deflected off an LA defender before sliding past a beaten Penedo.
I’m guessing everyone in Orlando was relieved to see Kaká have the brilliant game he did, considering its been slow going so far this season and also considering his $7 million a year contract.
Soccer gossip! Orlando SC is said to be pursuing Javier “ Chicharito” Hernandez, the 26 year old, Mexican national and Real Madrid footballer. We’ll have to follow this story….
Will Orlando sign Javier Hernandez in the near future?
