MLS All-Star game headed to Kansas City?

TORONTO – I’m hearing some talk that the swell new grounds in Kansas City may start landing big MLS events sooner rather than later.  If I were a betting man, I’d put a few C-notes on the 2011 All-Star game going to either Kansas City or to Red Bull Arena.  From what I understand, both places are in the running with others way behind.

The venue may just depend on the opponent. MLS officials are courting Barcelona, which would be a very attractive opponent. But it may not make financial sense to get the Catalan giants for a “one-off.” So there are a lot of moving parts in the whole thing, with venues and the number of games that might be arranged elsewhere all up for consideration.

Barcelona’s asking price will probably land between $1.5 million and $2 million. So, if MLS and SUM can arrange another game or two, the cost becomes more palatable. Otherwise, they’ll have to charge a princely sum for tickets – and that might make New York a better market for the contest.

But there are other teams in the running, too. I believe Sporting Lisbon may be one of the second-choice targets. A team like that (like Everton, Fulham, West Ham and other, past MLS All-Star opposition) can be had for something in the area of $200,000.

By the way, it would be a bit of a leap of faith to assign the game to Kansas City. The new stadium will be ready for the 2011 season, but perhaps not to begin it. I’m hearing that the opener may be pushed into June, just as it was with PPL Park outside Philly this year. So, having such a big event so shortly after a stadium open carries some risks; they could only keep fingers crossed that all the bugs were worked out.

Oh, one more thing about the 2011 MLS All-Star game. I’m also hearing that league officials here in Toronto are talking about moving the game back to weekends, where it was before they tried the weeknight format a few years ago.