World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

[blockski]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Wow, didn't even realize I did that, I'm usually pretty good at avoiding it.

As to your second point, I'm not sure a 4 week long or so work stoppage would be all that bad.

Houston is teetering on the brink of getting a new, downtown stadium approved. If a strike (or the threat of a strike) undermines that political deal, I'll be very upset.

 

[BoomGoestheDynamite]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Arrrrrggh.

But, if they strike, it'll be one of the stupidest possible outcomes. The league has great momentum off last season - Seattle has huge buzz and big crowds, Salt Lake just opened a new stadium and now has a championship for their trophy case - we're about to bring a new team into the league in Philly, also with strong ticket sales and we'll see two brand new, soccer-only stadiums opening in Philly and New York - not to mention the obvious tie-ins with the World Cup.

Any sort of a work stoppage is unacceptable.

You hope somebody is taking a longer view at the Union of the entire situation. In addition to this year, you have the 2 Pacific Northwest teams coming in 2011 and probably Montreal a year later, all of which should be doing quite well. If everything pans out as expected, by 2012-14 with a recover(ing/ed) economy and possibly the announcement the US is getting the 2022 World Cup, there maybe enough momentum to get make serious gains for MLS players.

The problem is the veterans running the union who won't be around in 5 years.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Houston is teetering on the brink of getting a new, downtown stadium approved. If a strike (or the threat of a strike) undermines that political deal, I'll be very upset.

Oh definitely, a strike would certainly bring some negatives. On the other hand though, there are a few small positives that would come of it. For instance, it would push First Kick back so it's not going head to head with the NCAA basketball tournament, it would allow Philadelphia to open up in the Chester Stadium, rather than at Lincoln Financial Field, it would allow season openers to be played in nicer weather, and so on.

 

[blockski]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

You hope somebody is taking a longer view at the Union of the entire situation. In addition to this year, you have the 2 Pacific Northwest teams coming in 2011 and probably Montreal a year later, all of which should be doing quite well. If everything pans out as expected, by 2012-14 with a recover(ing/ed) economy and possibly the announcement the US is getting the 2022 World Cup, there maybe enough momentum to get make serious gains for MLS players.

The problem is the veterans running the union who won't be around in 5 years.

It's not just that - they recently did a survey of the DC sports audience, looking at demographics:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc...ographics_of_dc_sports.html?wprss=dcsportsbog

* The Redskins and Nats fanbases seemed to trend oldest. Here were the percentages of followers who were less than 35 years old: United (40 percent), Caps (34 percent), Wizards (32 percent), Nats (29 percent), Redskins (28 percent). And here were the percentages of followers who were older than 55: Redskins (32 percent), Nats (30 percent), Wizards (27 percent), Caps (22 percent) and United (19 percent).

It's a young, enthusiastic fan base. Well positioned for long-term growth, with costs contained, etc.

There are so many positives, the thought of screwing this up is maddening.

 

[blockski]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Oh definitely, a strike would certainly bring some negatives. On the other hand though, there are a few small positives that would come of it. For instance, it would push First Kick back so it's not going head to head with the NCAA basketball tournament, it would allow Philadelphia to open up in the Chester Stadium, rather than at Lincoln Financial Field, it would allow season openers to be played in nicer weather, and so on.

It would also probably mean that the league would have to play matches during the World Cup instead of taking a break.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

It would also probably mean that the league would have to play matches during the World Cup instead of taking a break.

That's true, and a definite negative, especially when this is the first time MLS is making such concessions for the tournament.
Devil's advocate though: Who's to say someone won't watch US-England in the afternoon and still want to come out to watch an MLS game at night?

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Another negative, all the Philly fans who have already bought plane tickets to Seattle for opening night.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

That's true, and a definite negative, especially when this is the first time MLS is making such concessions for the tournament.
Devil's advocate though: Who's to say someone won't watch US-England in the afternoon and still want to come out to watch an MLS game at night?

Or better still, show up early to tailgate a bit and watch USA-England with everybody there at the stadium?? Pretty much all the stadiums have their own video scoreboard right?? and if not, they could always set up a portable screen up out in a parking lot. I would think you would get a nice bump in attendence by getting soccer fans that might not nessasary want to go watch an MLS game, but certaintly be interested in seeing USA-England with a bunch of people.

 

[pirate]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Arrrrrggh.




Yeah, earlier indications were that the first player vote was 2/3rds for a strike and 1/3 against it, breaking almost exactly in terms of player nationality.

I also agree that the players are barking up the wrong tree here. I am sympathetic to the cause, but free agency is simply not going to happen. I don't think fully guaranteed contracts should, either - perhaps they need more of a signing bonus type deal, or guarantee contracts for one season at a time. I'm also sympathetic to some of the player movement issues that do not involve free agency - like how a team can control a player even if they aren't under contract.

But, if they strike, it'll be one of the stupidest possible outcomes. The league has great momentum off last season - Seattle has huge buzz and big crowds, Salt Lake just opened a new stadium and now has a championship for their trophy case - we're about to bring a new team into the league in Philly, also with strong ticket sales and we'll see two brand new, soccer-only stadiums opening in Philly and New York - not to mention the obvious tie-ins with the World Cup.

Any sort of a work stoppage is unacceptable.

Not only is the Philly stadium already behind but a recent issue over which union (no irony there!) builds the bathrooms may result in a walkout next week. Add to that whether the unions would work during a player strike and this stadium may not be finished for a while.

I knew they should have picked another name

So, I may have some tickets on ebay

 

[jmh]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Another negative, all the Philly fans who have already bought plane tickets to Seattle for opening night.

Well, worst case scenario they're still getting out of Philly for a weekend. Doesn't sound so bad.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Well, worst case scenario they're still getting out of Philly for a weekend. Doesn't sound so bad.

There are worst places to go to without a reason than Seattle. At least they don't have to go to Cleveland!

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Their arrogance is the reason you despise them? Is this some sort of joke coming from a ManU fan?

Terrier, Italian clubs are filled with primadonnas. All Italian clubs have that snotty we're better than the English attitude. Milan is the biggest offender, though. That's why enjoy seeing Man United (Us United fans hate it when you refer to the club as Man U. We aren't a University club.) dominate Italian clubs.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Terrier, Italian clubs are filled with primadonnas. All Italian clubs have that snotty we're better than the English attitude. Milan is the biggest offender, though. That's why enjoy seeing Man United (Us United fans hate it when you refer to the club as Man U. We aren't a University club.) dominate Italian clubs.

Would you prefer ManUre? Lots of people call the club ManU. Including United fans.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

Would you prefer ManUre? Lots of people call the club ManU. Including United fans.

Most of the fans that call them Man U though are idiot Americans. It was started as a taunt about the Munich plane crash.

And this is coming from someone who despises Trafford United.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

I found Chelski's fight song.

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[blockski]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

As an aside - the Soviet anthem (now the Russian anthem with new words) is really long.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

As an aside - the Soviet anthem (now the Russian anthem with new words) is really long.

Just enough time for Roman to get an illegal transfer.

 

[3W]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

There are a few England fans and ESPN execs crying themselves to sleep tonight...Becks tore an Achilles tendon in his Serie A game. No way he plays in South Africa.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

There are a few England fans and ESPN execs crying themselves to sleep tonight...Becks tore an Achilles tendon in his Serie A game. No way he plays in South Africa.

ESPN execs yes, England fans no. Now we don't have to listen to well he make the team or won't he and then the why did we pick this guy crap afterward.

MLS and the LA Galaxy must be very thrilled.

 

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XII: South Africa Awaits

ESPN execs yes, England fans no. Now we don't have to listen to well he make the team or won't he and then the why did we pick this guy crap afterward.

MLS and the LA Galaxy must be very thrilled.

I have to agree with Terrier. (Did I say that? Terrier and me agreeing on something soccer...) Becks should have only been a token player. Now, someone deserving can a spot on Fabio's squad.