Soccer Thread

[Tacachale]

Now that the Armada are pretty well established, I wonder what the thoughts are of the poster who was skeptical of their success? It sounds to me like they've done a pretty great job so far in terms of finding support from the community and using the baseball grounds for all it's worth.

1. I watched every game and attended several. I've wanted a professional soccer team here for decades

2. My skepticism stems from having watched many, many start up clubs around this country for many, many years. I've seen what it takes to grow a club in this country, and I wasn't seeing what I'd hope for. I will say I think ownership is getting the message, and taking a much more grassroots approach now.

3. Success isn't firing the entire organization within a year. Not that I have a problem with it. A cleansing fire may be just what is needed.

4. If I'm wrong and the team packs out the stadium every night win lose or draw i'll gladly eat crow. I want to see Armada make it to the MLS. I want a shot at CONCACAF Champions league and dream of dreams, Club World Cup (where we thrash Bayern and Real! ;-D ) ... The chance for that is getting smaller and smaller as more and more cities get teams. Every year a new Orlando, Minnesota, Chattanooga, Sacramento, etc. pops up. We need to contend with them. If not, and we are in NASL for the long haul, we better hope for an MLS players union strike come next bargaining session because Tier 2 and no real TV deal, not gonna be easy...

5. Go Armada!!! (and Orlando till we make it to the big show)

As I said at the other thread, the Armada were definitely a success in terms of attendance, and in their general presence around town. Clearly they weren't successful on the field. But they had one of the highest attendances of all lower level teams and they've been all over the place since they were announced, so they're doing something right.

One thing I appreciate about them is they aren't playing the "MLS in a few years" game. Every semi-successful soccer team in large or mid-sized cities has been doing that, and it's just not going to happen for them all. It'll probably happen for Minneapolis, Sacramento and San Antonio. But MLS will eventually cap out, and on top of taking teams with proven track records, they've also been committing slots to big sexy cities regardless of the track record. Miami, Atlanta, second teams in New York and LA, and probably more in the next couple of years. All that is going to make it all the harder for owners in the smaller cities to get in.

There's clearly a market for second-tier soccer in the US now and the Armada are case in point, whether the NASL makes it or not. Their real long-term problem is stability, in that they keep losing their top teams to MLS or to the promise/threat of MLS. But I can imagine the Armada and other of the more successful teams surviving whatever happens with the leagues.

[Gamblor]

Now that the Armada are pretty well established, I wonder what the thoughts are of the poster who was skeptical of their success? It sounds to me like they've done a pretty great job so far in terms of finding support from the community and using the baseball grounds for all it's worth.

1. I watched every game and attended several. I've wanted a professional soccer team here for decades

2. My skepticism stems from having watched many, many start up clubs around this country for many, many years. I've seen what it takes to grow a club in this country, and I wasn't seeing what I'd hope for. I will say I think ownership is getting the message, and taking a much more grassroots approach now.

3. Success isn't firing the entire organization within a year. Not that I have a problem with it. A cleansing fire may be just what is needed.

4. If I'm wrong and the team packs out the stadium every night win lose or draw i'll gladly eat crow. I want to see Armada make it to the MLS. I want a shot at CONCACAF Champions league and dream of dreams, Club World Cup (where we thrash Bayern and Real! ;-D ) ... The chance for that is getting smaller and smaller as more and more cities get teams. Every year a new Orlando, Minnesota, Chattanooga, Sacramento, etc. pops up. We need to contend with them. If not, and we are in NASL for the long haul, we better hope for an MLS players union strike come next bargaining session because Tier 2 and no real TV deal, not gonna be easy...

5. Go Armada!!! (and Orlando till we make it to the big show)

As I said at the other thread, the Armada were definitely a success in terms of attendance, and in their general presence around town. Clearly they weren't successful on the field. But they had one of the highest attendances of all lower level teams and they've been all over the place since they were announced, so they're doing something right.

One thing I appreciate about them is they aren't playing the "MLS in a few years" game. Every semi-successful soccer team in large or mid-sized cities has been doing that, and it's just not going to happen for them all. It'll probably happen for Minneapolis, Sacramento and San Antonio. But MLS will eventually cap out, and on top of taking teams with proven track records, they've also been committing slots to big sexy cities regardless of the track record. Miami, Atlanta, second teams in New York and LA, and probably more in the next couple of years. All that is going to make it all the harder for owners in the smaller cities to get in.

There's clearly a market for second-tier soccer in the US now and the Armada are case in point, whether the NASL makes it or not. Their real long-term problem is stability, in that they keep losing their top teams to MLS or to the promise/threat of MLS. But I can imagine the Armada and other of the more successful teams surviving whatever happens with the leagues.

Minneapolis/Minnesota got their MLS card punched already. With the corporations there, MLS wanted in. Sacramento and San Antonio would be the cases I would tell you defy the sexy city argument, and which we could follow. Not that I disagree, MLS does want sexy markets, they go a long way in TV deal negotiations, but smaller markets that hit the marks can make it too.Yes MLS will cap out to some degree at some point. But if Armada had the right plan that fits MLS 3.0 (Unique stadium downtown, neighborhood redevelopment maybe required too by the work groups like Sacramento, Austin are trying to do to get in), the right investor group (Khan? Lamar Hunt rule bans owners from owning teams in every other sports league but MLS...it would go nicely with what seems to be his plans for making the area more active year round as well), and get the fan base out of the 6-7k a game to the 10-12 range, we would get heavy consideration. I would also argue that investments like the new amphitheater and transforming urban neighborhoods like Brooklyn and the District across the river could give this city a "sexier" vibe, and getting an MLS team in that mix would go nicely.

[I-10east]

Here's a pretty funny SB Nation vid about soccer snobs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA90TnJVxww

[Adam White]

Here's a pretty funny SB Nation vid about soccer snobs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA90TnJVxww

That's funny.

There is something kind of irritating about American soccer fans. It seems they try too hard to mimic foreign soccer fans. If I have to read another blog or forum post about how well the "lads" played, I'm going to puke. One gets the impression that a lot of American soccer fans are the kinds of guys who would be really into anime or record collecting if they weren't into soccer. Actually, my friend Ricky is into all three. But they're so obsessive and take it way too seriously.

And don't get me started on the people who go to "pubs" and actually sing songs at the television and make banners or signs and stuff. And have 'banter' with fans of other teams. "The multi-billionaire owner of the team you randomly chose to support has marginally more money than the multi-billionaire owner of the team I randomly chose to support".

I know a guy who loves Barcelona. He once told me he "bleeds blue and red". He's never been to Spain.

Reminds me of when I first moved to the UK. I was working at St Pancras station and it was a Saturday. I think Sheffield United or Derby (or Nottingham Forest - I can't quite recall) were going to be playing one of the London clubs, so we were dealing with lots of traveling fans (helping them with their onward journey once they arrived, etc). I saw a skinny, white, indie-looking kid over by the taxi rank looking a bit lost. I asked him if he was down for the football and if he needed assistance. He looked at me incredulously and said, " Do I look like I like football?" He was offended! I told him that football fans in my home town look just like him. I'm not sure he bought it.

And don't get me started on people referring to it as, "The beautiful game".

[Tacachale]

^Or "football"

[Adam White]

^Or "football"

[JaxJersey-licious]

Welcome back to JAX, USMNT! This game will actually mean something so I hope the turnout is there.

http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2016-03-28/story/key-us-team-world-cup-soccer-qualifying-match-heading

[johnnyliar]

Welcome back to JAX, USMNT! This game will actually mean something so I hope the turnout is there.

http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2016-03-28/story/key-us-team-world-cup-soccer-qualifying-match-heading

Seeing as that we showed out last time they played here, I expect this game, especially if it's a must win to advance, to be a new record breaker!

[Adam White]

Welcome back to JAX, USMNT! This game will actually mean something so I hope the turnout is there.

http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2016-03-28/story/key-us-team-world-cup-soccer-qualifying-match-heading

Seeing as that we showed out last time they played here, I expect this game, especially if it's a must win to advance, to be a new record breaker!

Normally, I wouldn't have thought this was that big a match (Trinidad?), but after that performance in Guatemala, it could be quite exciting.

[Tacachale]

Nice! Also, I hope we shape up in this qualifying round. Losing to Guatemala is not a good sign.

[fsquid]

Columbus folks staying away from today's match because of ticket prices.  Hopefully, the Federation has learned a lesson.

[pierre]

Assumed this was the best thread to post this.

Saw it this morning and it paints a grim picture of Khan's Fulham squad.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/28/fulham-shahid-khan-league-one-championship

[Adam White]

Assumed this was the best thread to post this.

Saw it this morning and it paints a grim picture of Khan's Fulham squad.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/28/fulham-shahid-khan-league-one-championship

"Fulham have looked particularly jittery at Craven Cottage, where they have lost half their league games this season and the atmosphere verges on hostile."

So, on the upside, they're finally developing an atmosphere at Craven Cottage.

[TimmyB]

It's astonishing how fast and how far FFC have fallen.  One day, in the PL; then, possibly in League One, next season?  Yikes.

[Adam White]

It's astonishing how fast and how far FFC have fallen.  One day, in the PL; then, possibly in League One, next season?  Yikes.

It's the curse of Michael Jackson. They removed his statue and he's having his revenge.