Comments on: Soccer Splinters | July 16, 2009

By: Maria Hrafn

Maria Hrafn — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:18:27 +0000

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By: Muels

Muels — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:13:55 +0000

Not sure if everyone realizes this, but the US Soccer ticket prices are not set by the local stadia, but by US Soccer itself. Do they really think a friendly two years before a World Cup is worth $50-60? Let’s get realistic.Too bad too, as Rochester COULD have filled that stadium, but alas…

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:42:17 +0000

The tickets prices were a PR blunder. They responded by lowering the prices…significantly, BUT they did a poor job letting the public in on this. I didn’t find out until Friday that there were plenty of $18 seats. Unfortunately, we are in the throes of graduation party circuit and free time is at a premium.

By: Smitty

Smitty — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:02:18 +0000

Reynell – I think we all knew she was playing. Problem is tickets are $50 or $60 and they are wondering why the game hasn’t sold out. People in Rochester are just not the type of people to potentially drop a couple hundred on an exhibition game. Sure Abby Wambach is playing and sure she might score her 100th goal. But $$ talks and most people are unfortunately going to be sitting home watching the game.

And it shouldn’t be that way….

By: Rey

Rey — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:35:17 +0000

Casey, Pete, Smitty, and any other Rochesterians I’m missing. Wasn’t sure if you knew this but Abby Wambach will have a chance at scoring her 100th goal for the US team IN Rochester today where the Rhinos play. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3.

By: Rey

Rey — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Bill Simmons mentions in his recent mailbag that we as Americans only want the best. There’s a reason we can’t get into Arena Football and other “niche” leagues to use his word. The MLS, even to the casual soccer fan, is years behind the talent of Europe and South America. I watched the game last night and two of the Galaxy’s goals were basically off of mistakes. The ball lands in front of a guy, his eyes get real big because he realizes nobody has time to push up, and he blasts a shot in. It’s sloppy.

Beckham can’t do it alone. Simmons does think that international soccer is becoming very popular in the US. I never, EVER remember international soccer being on TV. The past two years ESPN has played a load of games, including the quart, semi, and finals of Champions League. People are watching.

If there was a big influx of international stars, I think there would be a natural interest there, even for the soccer detractors. The chances of that happening? I would say none. And Pete, you bring up a great point about US: we’re too busy. The reason MLS plays its season is because it can’t compete with the NBA, MLB playoffs, NFL, college sports, NBA, and even the NHL. It’s in a prime position to get exposure and it still isn’t getting it on a grand scale.

By: Crossword Pete

Crossword Pete — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:41:21 +0000

I think Donovan had no choice but to call out Beckham as he did. Anything less public would have gone unnoticed. But I ask “to what avail”? Beckham was never committed to making the MLS viable. He felt cognitive dissonance (a psychologist’s term) almost immediately. Besides, if he seriously thought he could succeed in that venture, he (and all the others who encouraged/enabled him) was sadly mistaken. I remember NASL games with Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia, and Franz Beckenbauer. While they may not have been in their primes, they were big names still in soccer and they had played on world champions. Beckham is a matinee idol who can hit dead balls better than anyone in the current game, but he does not have either the flair or the ability of the aforementioned trio. And where, I ask you, is the NASL today? Soccer is a beautiful game to watch if you take the time to analyze it, understand it, and really watch a match, but the American public is far too busy and scattered to do so. Sorry Sir Beckham. Pick another cause.

By: Rey

Rey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:55:55 +0000

I’m a guilty fan by the way. I was not too excited about watching the LA-NY game tonight and now I’ll definitely make time to tune in.

By: Rey

Rey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:25:53 +0000

Sports has become more entertainment. I think execs love it when stories like this are made public because it will bring attention. I think it was Donovan playing on Beckham’s ego. If he called him out in private, big deal. But if he says it in a book and in an interview for the world (ahem) to hear, then maybe Beckham will take the challenge of making something out of the MLS on a worldwide stage.

We like our soap operas. When stuff like this comes out, fans will tune in more often. We want to see the drama and how it plays out on the competitive stage I guess (I use the term “we” loosely here).

By: Casey

Casey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:17:14 +0000

The Beckham / Donovan situation is an example of how society can influence sports. Once was a time when discussions like this stayed in the locker room / clubhouse (‘Loose lips sink ships’). I am not sure that 40 years ago this sort of stuff would have made it into print. Old-time sports fans don’t care about these sort of soap operas. But now sports is so wildly popular that borderline fans are more interested in the dirty laundry than the actual play on the field. Interesting that Random House published the book – anything to sell some copies.