Jacksonville making soccer waves

Reeves Army · August 11, 2011, 03:12:07 PM

FC Jax Destroyers averaged over 1,000 for its home attendance (8 home games) this year, good for the top 10 (among 64 teams) and the absolute best in the SE division of the Premier Development League. But they were 4th of 6 in performance in the SE division.

I don't know how Jacksonville United did attendance-wise (~500 the first two, don't know about the other three home games), but THEY WON THE 2011 NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP. They beat the Hollywood United Hitmen, 3-2, at a neutral site match in Huntsville, Alabama on July 30.

Considering both are Tier 4 amateur, that is pretty dang good. You could probably consolidate the two teams, get an investor and get a minor-league pro soccer franchise, either USL Pro (Tier 3, Orlando team) or NASL (Tier 2, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale teams).

danno · August 11, 2011, 03:27:32 PM

I was thinking the same thing about a consolidation. I hear the Destroyers are moving to UNF next year?

I got a season ticket but only made it to 2 games.

Ajax · August 11, 2011, 04:06:01 PM

I went to several FC Jax games at JU and I really liked the way they ran things. They were very family friendly, and the JU soccer field is a great setting.

I didn't go to any Jax United games because it's a lot farther away from my house and I can only convince my wife to let me watch so much soccer. I will try and get out there next year.

My understanding is that the FC Jax group would like to eventually move up to USL-Pro. The Jax United group seems to be more interested in their soccer academy - I'm not sure if moving up is their goal. However, I'm not basing any of this on any insider knowledge so I wouldn't be surprised with anything that might happen with regards to a merger. I would certainly welcome having a 3rd or 2nd division team in town.

I have not made it down to see any Orlando City games yet (other than the preseason tournament they had with 3 MLS teams), but I've seen them on TV a couple of times and it really looks like they've put together a great organization. Maybe with MLS moving from Fox Soccer to NBC, perhaps there will be more opportunity for Fox to televise USL-Pro and/or NASL games next year.

Ajax · August 11, 2011, 04:07:48 PM

Another thing...I noticed that after he left FC Jax (fired/quit - I don't know), Eric Dutt was on the roster for Jax United. Anybody know the story behind all of that?

Anyway, congrats to both clubs for successful first seasons and congrats to Jax United for winning the championship.

Tacachale · August 11, 2011, 04:26:20 PM

If that number for FC Jax is accurate, that's pretty damn good. For amateur soccer with limited marketing, that's not much behind some of the lower level pro teams in Florida. Jacksonville United did even less marketing and got even less exposure, so if they still had people show up beyond the standard moms and girlfriends, then good on them. And of course good on them for winning their league championship.

Yet more evidence that Jacksonville would be a great location for a pro team in the NASL or USL Pro. A solid ownership group and some genuine marketing, and it would take off.

Ajax · August 11, 2011, 04:29:18 PM

Quote from: danno on August 11, 2011, 03:27:32 PM
I was thinking the same thing about a consolidation. I hear the Destroyers are moving to UNF next year? I got a season ticket but only made it to 2 games.

I heard that before the season, but I also heard that they were staying at JU. Not sure which is true. I thought JU was a great setting for soccer, but I guess you can fit more fans in the UNF stadium.

Tacachale · August 11, 2011, 04:33:56 PM

Quote from: danno on August 11, 2011, 03:27:32 PM
I was thinking the same thing about a consolidation. I hear the Destroyers are moving to UNF next year? I got a season ticket but only made it to 2 games.

The Destroyers did put in a bid to play at Hodges Stadium at UNF in 2012. They got off the ground too late this year to make it work with the scheduling. Whether or not they make the move is another story, they seem to have done well at JU. UNF's stadium is much nicer, though, so if they want to move up to the pro tier that may be what they do.

danno · August 11, 2011, 04:55:56 PM

The Jacksonville Cyclones were the last "Big" team here. The old A Leauge. Their attendance was about the same as FC Jax. The worst part was they were playing at old Wolfson Park which was a crappy venue.

Wonder if Jacksonville could support a publicly owned "small" stadium, maybe near the sports complex that could be used for smaller teams and maybe big HS Football games. The Axemen, Jacksonville Knights, the womans football team(forget their name), and as I said big high school games.

Ajax · August 12, 2011, 09:51:37 AM

Quote from: danno on August 11, 2011, 04:55:56 PM
The Jacksonville Cyclones were the last "Big" team here. The old A Leauge. Their attendance was about the same as FC Jax. The worst part was they were playing at old Wolfson Park which was a crappy venue.

Wonder if Jacksonville could support a publicly owned "small" stadium, maybe near the sports complex that could be used for smaller teams and maybe big HS Football games. The Axemen, Jacksonville Knights, the womans football team(forget their name), and as I said big high school games.

I like the idea. I think Pizza Hut Park in Dallas (or one of its suburbs) hosts concerts, large high school games, and the smaller division college football championship games, in addition to being the home of FC Dallas in MLS. Most of the new MLS stadiums are in the 18,000 to 25,000 seat range. This actually seems to be a little more realistic for our market than an NBA team.

danno · August 12, 2011, 09:57:47 AM

I have been to "The Hut", many times. I think it is do-able here, maybe on a smaller scale with the abitlity to expand. Crew Stadium in Columbus was the first of it's kind. A couple of years back they added a stage at one end to host concerts. The stage end can also have seating put back in for larger sports events. In fact I sat there for the US vs Mexico qualifier last time around.

Ajax · August 12, 2011, 10:25:57 AM

Quote from: danno on August 12, 2011, 09:57:47 AM
In fact I sat there for the US vs Mexico qualifier last time around.

Lucky. That was the game where Feilhaber scored from outside the box, wasn't it? I remember thinking that was the first time that we've played Mexico where it truly felt like a home game. The smaller venue was perfect - it was a very pro-USA crowd, and it was cool seeing the players run around carrying American flags after the game. Definitely one of the more memorable USA games I've ever seen.

danno · August 12, 2011, 10:40:41 AM

The federation has been able to get that home game against mexico a couple of times in Columbus through pre sales of tickets to "known" groups such as Sams Army and the American Outlaws. The other time was against Mexico in COlumbus in 2002. It was about 25F at kick off and the Mexicans didn't even come out to warm up. If I remeber correctly Ernie Stewart and Josh Wolf scored in that one. It was the begining of the home domination that the US had vs MEX.

I have been lucky to attend most of the home qualifers since 98 and ever world cup bar the last one (had a baby on the way). I have also seen the US paly in Azteca twice, 2009 & 2005.

I will try to make as many home qualifers as I can this time around but will probably not be able to swaing the World Cup.

Tacachale · August 12, 2011, 11:42:48 AM

Quote from: Ajax on August 12, 2011, 09:51:37 AM
Quote from: danno on August 11, 2011, 04:55:56 PM
The Jacksonville Cyclones were the last "Big" team here. The old A Leauge. Their attendance was about the same as FC Jax. The worst part was they were playing at old Wolfson Park which was a crappy venue.

Wonder if Jacksonville could support a publicly owned "small" stadium, maybe near the sports complex that could be used for smaller teams and maybe big HS Football games. The Axemen, Jacksonville Knights, the womans football team(forget their name), and as I said big high school games.

I like the idea. I think Pizza Hut Park in Dallas (or one of its suburbs) hosts concerts, large high school games, and the smaller division college football championship games, in addition to being the home of FC Dallas in MLS. Most of the new MLS stadiums are in the 18,000 to 25,000 seat range. This actually seems to be a little more realistic for our market than an NBA team.

That would be cool, but it would be very, very tricky. I don't think we could justify constructing a big, professional stadium to be used by amateur soccer, rugby, and football teams in hopes of a pro team coming here. And if we built just a small stadium, it wouldn't attract a pro team (and probably wouldn't be any better than stadiums we already have in other places.)

The way to do it would be for it to be a part time outdoor concert venue and part time sports facility for some of the more ambitious local teams, which could later attract a pro soccer team. However, an outdoor concert venue would be a VERY tough sell if it anywhere near the sports complex. You'd run into the same dimwits who blocked the amphitheater project back in the 90s.

blizz01 · May 29, 2012, 04:03:53 PM

So it appears that the Destroyers are still playing @ Milne Field with an upcoming game Sunday @ 4:30 - has anyone been this season? Any news/updates?

(Soccer fever is still in the air after Saturday night)

Ajax · May 29, 2012, 05:53:49 PM

I haven't gone to any games yet this season, although I still have my season ticket t-shirts that I bought last year. I heard there was a big managment shake-up over there, but I guess that's not all that uncommon for minor league/semi-pro franchises. I might have to venture over to JU this Sunday and see how they look.

I did hear that the Destroyers took a trip to Orlando last week and scrimmaged with the USMNT. I think the coach told them they were going to be playing a pickup game. Imagine how those guys felt when they saw Donovan, Bradley, et al. I'm sure it's something they'll never forget!