Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

New era starts for MLS team

Robertson Stadium will host the first of 16 Houston Dynamo matches Sunday

by Katy Umaña
The Daily Cougar

The newest addition to the UH community is the Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo. Their first game will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Robertson Stadium against the Colorado Rapids. 

MLS and Anschutz Entertainment Group decided to move the team, formerly known as the San Jose Earthquakes, to Houston in December. 

AEG, who owns the Dynamo franchise, could not reach a facility agreement with the city of San Jose and thus chose to move the team to Texas. 

Since the announcement of the move, the UH Police Department has met with the MLS and later with the Houston Police Department about security and traffic control in preparation for the game and season.

Having had previous experience with other large events similar to what MLS will bring to the University, the UHPD were able to meet many of the guidelines set by MLS to prepare for security for the season and made adjustments to comply with certain regulations. 

"I don't think (the Dynamo) expect this to be a sell-out; I think they're expecting anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 people, but we set up for a full stadium," UHPD Captain Brad Wigtil said about this weekend's match. 

The preparations from various departments at the University, including the athletics and police departments, have been set to make the transition for the team as easy as possible. 

But the Dynamo's presence at the University caused some scheduling conflicts for this year's Frontier Fiesta. 

"We have had to significantly change our plans to accommodate the Houston Dynamo ? to make sure they'd have adequate parking for their inaugural game," Brian Sellen, chairman of the Frontier Fiesta Association, said. 

The midway area, where the campus organizations hold events for Frontier Fiesta will not be accessible on Sunday, Chief of Police Malcolm Davis said. 

"We couldn't possibly get that down overnight; it would be safety issue," Davis said. "That area will be fenced off."

It will take longer to dismantle everything in the midway, but parking availability for Dynamo fans should not be affected by the 300 spaces lost in parking lots 12A and 12B being occupied by Frontier Fiesta. 

The rest of the lots surrounding the stadium will be open and ready in time for the match, Davis said. 

Parking will be available at 4 p.m. Sunday. MLS promoted the new team on the radio, television commercials and periodicals around the city.

AEG even focused marketing efforts toward University students, faculty and staff. Dynamo president, Oliver Luck said the season opener should bring in about 20,000 fans. Season level ticket sales have reached the 2,000 mark. 

Winter Olympic gold medalist Chad Hedrick from Spring is expected to be at the event to do the ceremonial first kick to start off the game. 

Students interested in attending the match can buy discounted tickets the day of the game at any Robertson Stadium Will Call booth. 

General Admission tickets for the April 2 game against the Colorado Rapids and the April 8 game against the Kansas City Wizards will be $10 each with a UH student ID card. 

For more ticket information, call 713-276-7500 or visit www.houston.mlsnet.com. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster.The Dynamo regular season starts April 2 and ends at home October 14 against the Colorado Rapids. 

Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu