Soccer & entertainment
Austria’s seventh divison is bracing itself for a violet invasion this coming season, as Austria Salzburg’s custodians decide to go it alone. In avoidance of a repeat of “The Schnitzel Affair”, an entirely independent, fan-owned club will kick off in the 2. Klasse Nord, three tiers beneath the 1. Landesliga.
Former Austria Salzburg player and crack lower-league gaffer Gustl Kofler will take the opportunity to lead the side’s neustart, vowing to return the club back where they belong. The ground on which they heroically escaped relegation in vain just a week ago, SAK Platz, will provide a roof over their heads for the forseeable future. Sort of.
Another architectural curiosity awaits fans of the former MetroStars. Their Austrian owners are experiencing difficulty ‘positioning’ themselves as the ’soccer metropolis of the East Coast’ off the pitch, and coach Mo Johnston (yes, that one) is ’struggling’ to ‘win’ any ’soccer games’ on it.
Seven draws in eleven matches has seen attendance figures settle firmly into four figures; the enthusiasm draining from an American audience sick of draws and tired of Red Bull’s apathy following the wash-out that was the inaugural game.
Plans for the proposed Red Bull Park depict the 25,000 seat arena with only three sides, the fourth being occupied by a permanent en-suite stage area. The ’soccer & entertainment centre’ is an expanding concept in MLS. As many teams’ welcome in cavernous gridiron stadiums wears thin, a long-overdue generation of new builds are emerging developed specifically for soccer.
Oh, and entertainment.
