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Professional Football Comes to Treasure Valley

Submitted by theUg on 24 May, 2008 - 14:48
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Yesterday Meridian Speedway hosted an international exhibition football match between first reserve team of “Las Chivas” (Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V, Mexico) and all-star team from Tacoma, Washington. That marks the promising beginning of the new era for local football aficionados.

According to the article in the “Idaho Statesman”, organizers of this match plan to develop market for the professional game in the area for the next few years.

Portland-based promoter Abby Gonzales and owners of Meridian Speedway signed three-year deal that would bring several professional teams to play exhibition games, including four this year. Besides Friday’s game, in the works are matches featuring USL side “Portland Timbers” in July, reserves of MLS club “Real Salt Lake” in August and the September showdown between reserve teams for “Las Chivas” and “Club America” (as announced at the stadium).

Public Concerns

While the news are generally positive for the lovers of the game, discussion stirred, citing public safety concerns on one hand, and economical viability on the other.

As for safety, yesterday’s game was helpful in quelling some of the local residents’ fears. The ample (~1500 fans) crowd, mostly Latino, provided warm family-friendly atmosphere, although beer was at hand and many spectators came to root against “Chivas”. So meager two Meridian Police cruisers never had to deal with any trouble.

And economical side of the question was represented by two major arguments. One was that the popularity of the game amongst valley’s youth doesn’t mean anything, for teenagers abandon the game as soon as they graduate high school (which might not be necessarily true, gauging by how many young players started to infiltrate the ranks of local adult amateurs recently), and their parents, citing one commenter on Statesman’s website, “don’t follow the sport after the juice and gummy bears are handed out after the game”.

Others insisted that the game would be marketed mostly to Latino contingent, which was partly confirmed by almost exclusively Hispanic crowd and the fact that aside from article in the local paper three days before match and scant announcements on the local radio, most of promouters’ effort (including cheaper tickets distributed through valley’s “Chapala” restaurants) seemed to concentrate on Latino populace.

The Game

The match itself presented likely one of the better displays of football the valley had ever seen. Althoug lopsided affair, with reserves of top Latin American club handsomly dispatching Tacoma’s semi-amateurs with the final score of 5 to 0, the teams showed fast-paced, clean game with occasional sparks of flair, well-coached movement, and crisp passing. Tacoma’s goalkeeper deserves honourable mention for quite a few spectacular saves he had made.

“Las Chivas” about to score the first goal.

Prospects

We hope that this initiative would take root and prove viable enterprise in the region that is long over due to have quality adult football club. It could start small, joining the PDL, but it would definitely have potential in the valley.

One concern remains — the grounds. Meridian Speedway, although an attractive venue, given its central location in the Treasure Valley, proximity to Interstate, and ample seating (just under 7000), would still require serious investment in renovation. Tangle of sundry poles, wires, and wire fences, blocking the view of the field, poor lighting, and general dilapidated and run-down shape beg for some serious face-lift.

Recap

Club Deportivo Guadalajara (“Las Chivas”), Mexico (Res.) v. Tacoma, Washington, USA
Meridian Speedway, Meridian, Idaho, USA, 24 of May, 2008, 19:00
Final score: 5:0 (2:0)
Attendance: 1500

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