Avaya’s success bodes well
It’s been a big year for soccer in the Bay Area. The Earthquakes opened their new stadium. They hosted Manchester United. The women’s national team played a send-off game there on their way to a victorious World Cup.
Now, nearing the end of the season, where do things stand for the Earthquakes, who have struggled in September? Will their new home help them make the playoffs for the first time in three years? Will any of the glamorous big name players we’ve seen in MLS ever land in the Bay
Area?
And any chance we’ll see more women’s soccer at Avaya?
“We’ve been focused on the Earthquakes and launching the stadium effort,” said team president Dave Kaval. “But that does not rule out the NWSL.”
The National Women’s Soccer League has received a bump in both profile and attendance since the Women’s World Cup. The nine-team league is home to many of the national team players who, once again, proved their enormous popularity this summer. The league — whose final between Seattle and Kansas City will be held on Oct. 1 — is the latest attempt to make a professional women’s league work in the United States.
“I think this is a good marketplace for it,” said Kaval, who likened the pandemonium around the May 10 U.S. Ireland game at Avaya to a Beatles concert. “We’re evaluating it, but it’s still early. You have to evaluate the league, things like how much support the federation is putting behind players’ salaries and what’s the three- to five-year plan.”
Two of the NWSL teams — the Houston Dash and the Portland Thorns — are affiliated directly with the MLS teams in their markets and it has been a beneficial relationship. The Thorns have had the highest attendance in the league. Orlando is reported to be in line for a NWSL team. Kansas City has a deal with the local MLS team to play in its stadium.
The Bay Area has had a team in the previous leagues, the WUSA and the WPS. Both leagues failed. The MLS, now established after 20 seasons and with so many dedicated soccer stadiums, could provide stability and synergy to this iteration of a women’s league.
Kaval said it’s not that easy. Avaya wasn’t built to house more than one team. But he also said that those things could be figured out if the organization decides to move forward on the NWSL front.
For now he’s focused on the Earthquakes. The team is one point out of a playoff berth with four games remaining, three at home at Avaya. It will be a mad dash to the playoffs, as San Jose tries to slide into the sixth spot in the Western Conference (it is currently one point behind Portland).
It’s a better situation than the Earthquakes have been in in recent years, and Kaval credits that to Dominic Kinnear’s coaching. The Earthquakes have been hurt by the loss of standout striker Innocent Emeghara to left knee surgery. In addition, star Chris Wondolowski has missed games due to U.S. national team duty.
Many fans want to see the Earthquakes add some additional star power. They’re weary of seeing other MLS teams beef up with the likes of Frank Lampard, Kaka, Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba. But they may have to accept that that’s not in the plans for San Jose. “We’re a blue-collar team built around an American player in Wondo,” Kaval said. “We’re built not bought. I don’t mind a David vs. Goliath scenario.”
Kaval said that the Earthquakes payroll has doubled and that the team is now in the top half of spending in the league. He points out that the Earthquakes are ahead of some of the superstar-laden teams in the standings.
“Just spending doesn’t mean you’re going to win,” he said.
Avaya has helped the Earthquakes. The team is 6-3-5 at home, and 5-9-2 on the road. It’s a huge improvement over last season, when the team won only six matches, posting its worst record ever.
“I think Avaya has helped a ton,” Kaval said. “To have a homefield, a place to train. It creates a lot of pride. It affects the players. Those are important factors.”
The Quakes won four in a row in August but haven’t won in September, with two draws and two losses, the last coming at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC (one of those star-laden teams, with David Villa scoring a goal).
The next three games are at home, against Real Salt Lake, Vancouver and Kansas City, and then an away game in Dallas to finish the season.
A playoff berth to go along with a new stadium would be nice. So would a new women’s team someday.