There is no mention of soccer in the latest story on the Hamilton Stadium, but that's the norm. Other than us geeks no one reporting on the Hamilton stadium gives any thought to pro soccer, which would only become the tenant that would most use the facility.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
In every report it's all about the CFL's Ti-Cats, which is understandable, but missing half the story. A stadium in a city the size of Hamilton makes no sense if it's only getting used nine times a year. Add another 20 or so soccer dates (along with various high school events) and it starts to become something worth talking about.
Ti-Cats owner Bob Young is actually a soccer guy. If you skip to 4:56 of this interview on The Fan 590 you'll hear him both talk about how MLS stadiums are influencing the design in Hamilton and, more importantly, he bluntly states that the stadium would allow him to bring a professional soccer team to Hamilton. Although it was a throwaway line in the interview it was the most direct statement of intent by anyone in Hamilton on the subject.
If Young gets a stadium the people that matter in D2 soccer will give him a team. I've been told by several people that should know that's the case.
The stadium still isn't a sure thing. It looks good now, but God knows with this story. However, a second southern Ontario pro soccer team seems more and more likely.
If there is a D2 league to play in that is. But, that's a whole other subject...
- Duane