2008 MLS Attendance Analysis

When the Columbus Crew hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy last Saturday evening, their biggest home crowd of the year showed up to watch (22,685). For those who need more proof that the "Beckham Effect" is still strong, consider that seven out of the league's 13 other teams have seen their biggest home attendances of the year when Golden Balls is on the field.
Largest home attendances in 2008, by team:
Chicago – 20,492 vs. Chivas USA (08/02)
Chivas USA – 27,000 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (08/14)
Colorado – 18,776 vs. New York Red Bulls (07/04)
Columbus – 22,685 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (10/04)
DC United – 35,979 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (06/29)
FC Dallas – 22,331 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (05/18)
Houston – 22,554 vs. Chicago Fire (08/31)
Kansas City – 26,113 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (09/13)
Los Angeles – 27,000 (04/03, 04/26, 05/10, 06/21, 07/04, 07/10, 08/21, 09/06, 09/20)
New England – 54,045 vs. FC Dallas (06/06)
New York – 46,754 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (07/19)
Real Salt Lake – 26,391 vs. Chivas USA (09/20)
San Jose – 39,872 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (06/14)
Toronto – 20,461 vs. New England Revolution (08/23)

Top ten (non-Galaxy-related) attendances in 2008:
1. FC Dallas @ New England Revolution - 54,045 (06/06)*
2. Chivas USA @ DC United - 28,145 (10/04)
3. Chivas USA @ Real Salt Lake - 26,391 (09/20)
4. Chicago Fire @ Chivas USA - 24,143 (06/19)
5. Real Salt Lake @ DC United - 23,269 (04/26)
6. Chicago Fire @ Houston Dynamo - 22,554 (08/31)
7. Chivas USA @ Chicago Fire - 20,492 (08/02)
8. New England Revolution @ Toronto FC - 20,461 (08/23)
9. Columbus Crew @ Toronto FC - 20,358 (05/17)
10. Kansas City Wizards @ Toronto FC - 20,293 (06/21)

*part of a Brazil-Venezuela double-header