A Budding Problem

Tom over at Pitch Invasion has a great story about the increasing problems visiting fans have getting tickets in MLS. Toronto is apparently restricting Chicago fans to only 200 tickets which is a joke.

Section 8 Chicago, the Chicago Fire Independent Supporters’ Association, requested 500 tickets at BMO Field for the sole game in Toronto this season. Given Toronto are taking 2,000 to Columbus for the opener, they’d surely have matched that 500 themselves in Chicago.

But it won’t happen. In fact, Chicago will take only around 100 to Toronto, and Toronto should be restricted to the same number in Chicago. An opportunity to build atmospheric games and rivalries that MLS badly needs will be lost.

Why? Because of the short-sighted nature of one front office and a notable lack of interest in the issue of away support emanating from MLS headquarters. Section 8 Chicago have more-or-less been told they’re lucky to be getting even 100 tickets this season for Toronto, even though the request has been standing for some time.

He also mentions how that with the addition of Philly, there could be even more demand for away tickets. MLS needs to get a policy in place for this soon. While I don’t think the safety issues are quite as worrisome at Tom does, there does need to be consistency across the league in this department.

(Thanks goldstone97)