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MLS Attendance: Week 11 figures and 2017 update

By Nathan Reynolds

May 13, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire fans react before the game against the Seattle Sounders at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire fans react before the game against the Seattle Sounders at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Week 11 saw one team post a new record low for 2017, while two clubs drew their largest crowds of the season. A look at the latest MLS attendance numbers.

The MLS attendance average so far this season is hovering around the 2016 figure. On the one hand you can say stability is great, considering two new teams were added. However, with both Atlanta United and Minnesota United both sitting at or above the average attendance line, plus a new Orlando City stadium, that means other clubs are failing to keep pace.

Towards the bottom of the attendance standings, teams such as DC United and New England can hope that future homes will help boost them towards the league’s better half. (Although a new stadium for the Revolution looks unlikely at present). But for teams such as Columbus and Colorado, who already have soccer specific stadiums and have been successful recently, a larger question remains for how to increase lagging support.

Week 11 Numbers

The season average dipped a bit again this week, but that was mostly due to which clubs were hosting and which were on the road. Toronto FC led the way, as their strong performance in 2017 continues to bring out the crowds in the expanded stadium.

Chicago and New England both posted their best numbers of the season, and gave the crowds big wins. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew’s midweek number feels like it doesn’t belong in this decade of MLS progression.

  • Toronto FC: 27,249
  • Orlando City: 25,527
  • Portland Timbers: 21,144
  • New England Revolution: 21,096
  • Chicago Fire: 20,153
  • New York Red Bulls: 18,376
  • Montreal Impact: 17,508
  • Houston Dynamo: 16,075
  • FC Dallas: 14,665
  • DC United: 14,576
  • Colorado Rapids: 14,567

Week 11 Midweek Average: 10,318

Week 11 Average: 19,176

2016 MLS Average: 21,605

2017 MLS Average (through week 11): 21,586

May 13, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution and the Real Salt Lake take the field before the start of the game at Gillette Stadium. New England defeated Salt Lake 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution and the Real Salt Lake take the field before the start of the game at Gillette Stadium. New England defeated Salt Lake 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

2017 Averages By Club

Here is a look at how each club’s attendance is looking up through week 11 action:

  1. Atlanta United: 49,047
  2. Seattle Sounders: 42,620
  3. Toronto FC: 26,604
  4. Orlando City: 25,527
  5. LA Galaxy: 22,965
  6. New York City FC: 22,183
  7. Montreal Impact: 22,156
  8. Vancouver Whitecaps: 21,681
  9. Minnesota United: 21,205
  10. Portland Timbers: 21,144
  11. New York Red Bulls: 19,482
  12. Sporting Kansas City: 19,232
  13. Real Salt Lake: 18,808
  14. San Jose Earthquakes: 18,000
  15. Houston Dynamo: 17,653
  16. Chicago Fire: 16,326
  17. Philadelphia Union: 16,038
  18. DC United: 15,881
  19. FC Dallas: 15,658
  20. New England Revolution: 14,894
  21. Colorado Rapids: 14,708
  22. Columbus Crew: 13,090

Next: US Open Cup: OSA FC Team Profile and Match Preview

Week 12 has five midweek matches, including a chance to see if Chicago can come close to their weekend number or if it was due to the MLS Champion Seattle Sounders being in town. The weekend should see above average numbers with both Atlanta and Seattle returning home.

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