NWSL Week 2 attendance numbers.
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Still New Stadiums and Notes
Week 2 had a full slate of games. Total attendance was 23,321, helped in large part by the doubleheader the Chicago Red Stars had with the Chicago Fire. It was a single admission ticket so ticket scans for entry into the Fire game count for the Red Stars as well. Let’s hope some new fans were made.
It was also Easter weekend so take that into consideration, especially for the Washington Spirit, still off its 2013 average home attendance (3,625) but it’s not time to panic yet. The fans came out consistently in 2013 during a trying season so there’s no reason to expect that to change this season with an improved roster and outlook.
The Red Stars opened the season at Toyota Park and didn’t disappoint with a 1-0 win over the Western New York Flash. The team will return to its normal home at the 3,000-seat Benedictine University Sports Complex for the remainder of the season.
[/column] [column size=two_third position=last ] [edge_animation id=”41″] [/column]Sky Blue FC opened at home against the Portland Thorns. The 2,983 in attendance saw a 1-1 draw and was higher than Sky Blue’s 2013 average home attendance (1,666) but slightly lower than the last visit by Allie Long and Co. (3,002).
The Boston Breakers returned home to Harvard Stadium but fell to the Houston Dash, 3-2. The crowd of 2,018 was lower than last year’s average home attendance at Dilboy Stadium (2,427).
The Week Ahead
We see the first mid-week game and games on Saturday and Sunday. Schools will be back in session, which might help attendance a bit.
The Portland Thorns versus FC Kansas City game will have a strong crowd as the 2013 Champions open up at home after being on the road for the first two games.
Seattle Reign continue its home stand with games against the Washington Spirit and then the Houston Dash. The Chicago Red Stars return to Benedictine against the aforementioned Spirit, but the big attendance number the team saw at Toyota Park most likely won’t follow.