Another Great Professional Soccer Event in Jax

[CityLife]

Appears we need a Taylor Swift concert after the game.

Leverkusen-Corinthians is potentially the most talent that has played in Jacksonville in recent years. By my estimation, there were only 3 or 4 players that could potentially start for Leverkusen (Fabian Johnson, Howard, Obi Mikel, and Onazi) that played in the US-Nigeria game. Conversely, Leverkusen has about 12-20 guys that would start for the US.

If Jacksonville wants to get known as a soccer town, it has to get at least 10-15k for this game.

[I-10east]

Some info concerning the Florida Cup.

http://jacksonville.com/mattaboutjax

[fsquid]

Appears we need a Taylor Swift concert after the game.

Leverkusen-Corinthians is potentially the most talent that has played in Jacksonville in recent years. By my estimation, there were only 3 or 4 players that could potentially start for Leverkusen (Fabian Johnson, Howard, Obi Mikel, and Onazi) that played in the US-Nigeria game. Conversely, Leverkusen has about 12-20 guys that would start for the US.

If Jacksonville wants to get known as a soccer town, it has to get at least 10-15k for this game.

National team games always do better than club ones in this country.  People know the players.  I know two on Leverkusen and I watch the Bundesliga casually

[CityLife]

Appears we need a Taylor Swift concert after the game.

Leverkusen-Corinthians is potentially the most talent that has played in Jacksonville in recent years. By my estimation, there were only 3 or 4 players that could potentially start for Leverkusen (Fabian Johnson, Howard, Obi Mikel, and Onazi) that played in the US-Nigeria game. Conversely, Leverkusen has about 12-20 guys that would start for the US.

If Jacksonville wants to get known as a soccer town, it has to get at least 10-15k for this game.

National team games always do better than club ones in this country.  People know the players.  I know two on Leverkusen and I watch the Bundesliga casually

I'm not suggesting it should draw anything like a national team game. Just highlighting that there is a lot of talent that people should be interested in. Said it in the first post, but Leverkusen made the Champions League final 16 and have for the past 3 seasons.

I pretty much only watch college football and soccer, so I know a lot about the Champions League caliber teams, especially in England, Spain, and Germany. I'll give a quick rundown of the talent on Leverkusen for those going or interested in going.*With it being an exhibition, they may not play their A team

GK-Bernd Leno-possible heir apparent to Manuel Neuer. Potentially a top 10 GK in the world. Still only 22
CB-Emir Spahic-Starter for Bosnia at World Cup, solid player
CB-Omar Toprak-Very good CB. Plays for Turkey
CB-Papadapoulous-Was one of the most promising defenders in Europe. Recovering from an injury. Started for Greece in Euro 2012 at age 20
RB-Tin Jedvaj-Young talent from Croatia. Already has 2 senior caps for Croatia at 19
LB-Wendell-Won best fullback in Brazil last season
CM-Simon Rolfes-Once a very good player, but aging. Has 26 caps for Germany.
CM-Lars Bender-Starter for Germany in Euro 2012. Missed WC due to injury. Perennial transfer target of Arsenal
CM-Hakan Calhanoglu-Amazing free kick taker. Very talented, with potential to be world class. Chelsea has attempted to sign him
Wing-Gonzalo Castro-Good player. Would play for half the national teams in Europe. Stuck behind a loaded group in Germany
Wing-Karim Bellerabi-Breakout player, just broke into a very talented German National team. Will be an exciting player to watch
AM-Julian Brandt-Touted as the next Marco Reus, Mario Gotze type player. Potential world class player. Only 18
Striker-Stefan Kiessling-Very good goal scorer that doesn't fit into the German National team. Scored 130 Bundesliga goals
Strike/Wing-Heung Min Son-Quite possibly the best Asian player. South Korea's star player. Likely the best player in this tournament
Striker-Josip Drmic-Starter for a good Switzerland team in the World Cup

There are about 5 or 6 young players for Leverkusen with huge futures in European soccer. Very exciting for them to come to Jax.

[copperfiend]

The Orlando matches were at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex. Looked like the stands were mostly full but that is a very small venue.

[CityLife]

The Orlando matches were at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex. Looked like the stands were mostly full but that is a very small venue.

Yea there were only 2k there. Thursday night in the burbs can't compete with Everbank on a Saturday.

BTW Leverkusen beat Fluminese 3-0 and Cologne (Koln) beat Corinthians 1-0. Looks like Leverkusen played a lot of their best players. Hopefully they play them this weekend too.

[TPC]

Is it just me or has there been a lack of marketing/advertising for this? I first heard about it here, and a lot of my friends who actually watch and play soccer seemed to have only vaguely heard about this.

[Bridges]

Is it just me or has there been a lack of marketing/advertising for this? I first heard about it here, and a lot of my friends who actually watch and play soccer seemed to have only vaguely heard about this.

I agree completely.  We were waiting to see what the weather was going to be like.  Plan on heading to the stadium tomorrow and buying tickets then.

[Tacachale]

Yeah, it wasn't very well advertised. It sounds like a good event though.

[Gamblor]

I pretty much only watch college football and soccer, so I know a lot about the Champions League caliber teams, especially in England, Spain, and Germany. I'll give a quick rundown of the talent on Leverkusen for those going or interested in going.*With it being an exhibition, they may not play their A team

GK-Bernd Leno-possible heir apparent to Manuel Neuer. Potentially a top 10 GK in the world. Still only 22
CB-Emir Spahic-Starter for Bosnia at World Cup, solid player
CB-Omar Toprak-Very good CB. Plays for Turkey
CB-Papadapoulous-Was one of the most promising defenders in Europe. Recovering from an injury. Started for Greece in Euro 2012 at age 20
RB-Tin Jedvaj-Young talent from Croatia. Already has 2 senior caps for Croatia at 19
LB-Wendell-Won best fullback in Brazil last season
CM-Simon Rolfes-Once a very good player, but aging. Has 26 caps for Germany.
CM-Lars Bender-Starter for Germany in Euro 2012. Missed WC due to injury. Perennial transfer target of Arsenal
CM-Hakan Calhanoglu-Amazing free kick taker. Very talented, with potential to be world class. Chelsea has attempted to sign him
Wing-Gonzalo Castro-Good player. Would play for half the national teams in Europe. Stuck behind a loaded group in Germany
Wing-Karim Bellerabi-Breakout player, just broke into a very talented German National team. Will be an exciting player to watch
AM-Julian Brandt-Touted as the next Marco Reus, Mario Gotze type player. Potential world class player. Only 18
Striker-Stefan Kiessling-Very good goal scorer that doesn't fit into the German National team. Scored 130 Bundesliga goals
Strike/Wing-Heung Min Son-Quite possibly the best Asian player. South Korea's star player. Likely the best player in this tournament
Striker-Josip Drmic-Starter for a good Switzerland team in the World Cup

There are about 5 or 6 young players for Leverkusen with huge futures in European soccer. Very exciting for them to come to Jax.

Great write up! That little note about Bender, so true! I'm sure guys like me screaming and pulling our hair out for a DM in Holloway/Islington has a little something to do with it 

Oh and to agree with everyone, ya the advertising was poor... the talent will not be

[copperfiend]

Is it just me or has there been a lack of marketing/advertising for this? I first heard about it here, and a lot of my friends who actually watch and play soccer seemed to have only vaguely heard about this.

The only advertising I know of is radio commercials on 1010xl

[CityLife]

Part of the poor marketing is due to us being in the English sphere of media influence. They've duped most casual soccer fans in the US into thinking the EPL is the only league that matters. I think its quite possible that the sports community in Jax doesn't even realize one of the 15 or so best club teams in the world is playing here. Corinthians is also solid. Finished 4th in Brazil (1 point from 2nd).

To further this point, I'd be willing to bet that 90% of casual sports fans in the US would say the EPL is the best league in the world, bar none. That is what the media tells them after all.

La Liga is actually the highest rated league in the world by a substantial margin and that isn't just from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Their middle tier teams have performed very well in the Europa League. EPL is 2nd and the Bundesliga is right behind them in 3rd.

[fsquid]

The local soccer clubs have been trying to sell tickets.

[CityLife]

I pretty much only watch college football and soccer, so I know a lot about the Champions League caliber teams, especially in England, Spain, and Germany. I'll give a quick rundown of the talent on Leverkusen for those going or interested in going.*With it being an exhibition, they may not play their A team

GK-Bernd Leno-possible heir apparent to Manuel Neuer. Potentially a top 10 GK in the world. Still only 22
CB-Emir Spahic-Starter for Bosnia at World Cup, solid player
CB-Omar Toprak-Very good CB. Plays for Turkey
CB-Papadapoulous-Was one of the most promising defenders in Europe. Recovering from an injury. Started for Greece in Euro 2012 at age 20
RB-Tin Jedvaj-Young talent from Croatia. Already has 2 senior caps for Croatia at 19
LB-Wendell-Won best fullback in Brazil last season
CM-Simon Rolfes-Once a very good player, but aging. Has 26 caps for Germany.
CM-Lars Bender-Starter for Germany in Euro 2012. Missed WC due to injury. Perennial transfer target of Arsenal
CM-Hakan Calhanoglu-Amazing free kick taker. Very talented, with potential to be world class. Chelsea has attempted to sign him
Wing-Gonzalo Castro-Good player. Would play for half the national teams in Europe. Stuck behind a loaded group in Germany
Wing-Karim Bellerabi-Breakout player, just broke into a very talented German National team. Will be an exciting player to watch
AM-Julian Brandt-Touted as the next Marco Reus, Mario Gotze type player. Potential world class player. Only 18
Striker-Stefan Kiessling-Very good goal scorer that doesn't fit into the German National team. Scored 130 Bundesliga goals
Strike/Wing-Heung Min Son-Quite possibly the best Asian player. South Korea's star player. Likely the best player in this tournament
Striker-Josip Drmic-Starter for a good Switzerland team in the World Cup

There are about 5 or 6 young players for Leverkusen with huge futures in European soccer. Very exciting for them to come to Jax.

Great write up! That little note about Bender, so true! I'm sure guys like me screaming and pulling our hair out for a DM in Holloway/Islington has a little something to do with it 

Thanks. Wenger just signed a 17 year old DM from Poland. That should solve it. 

[Gamblor]

Thanks. Wenger just signed a 17 year old DM from Poland. That should solve it. 

Actually Coq has played really well since returning from loan. I don't think we'll need another (first team capable now) though, cause we never have injuries...