Soccer-Specific Stadiums the Future for U.S. Soccer

Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States and Canada, coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium whose primary (but not only) purpose is to host association football matches. An SSS may host other events such as other sporting events (mostly lacrosse and gridiron football), and concerts, but the design and purpose of an SSS is centered on soccer. These types of stadiums are being proposed as ideas all over the United States and Canada. The field dimensions are within the range found optimal by FIFA — 110-120 yards (100-110m) long by 70-80 yards (64-75m) wide, wider than the regulation American football field width of 53⅓ yards. Lastly, the seating capacity is generally small enough to provide an intimate setting, between 18,000 - 30,000 for a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, or between 5,000 - ~15,000 for a franchise in the United Soccer Leagues (whose attendance is subject to more variation). As of right now, there are nine soccer-specific stadiums in Major League Soccer by the San Jose Earthquakes, L.A. Galaxy, Chivas U.S.A., FC Dallas, Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Toronto FC, and Real Salt Lake. The other teams that do not already have soccer-specific stadiums are proposing to get them built such as D.C. United, New England Revolution, Houston Dynamo, and the San Jose Earthquakes. These stadiums are much smaller than a National Football League stadium and it helps because there are not 50,000+ fans attending these soccer games like there is in England.