Anyone else planning to watch? I'm likely to miss most of the first half, but it would be really great if any folks here who know something about MLS were to comment, because I really don't know very much.
My sense (from the inadequate media coverage) is that we're in for a tough atmosphere and probably a tough match-up on the field as well, but I'm excited!
I'm not a soccer guy but I'm going to catch as much as I can just to check it out. Is the excitement of MLS different from international soccer?
Depends on who you ask. Obviously it is not as intense in the sense that in very few places (if any at all) have every fan standing and cheering the entire game going nuts. There is usually one section of the stadium for supporters and the rest of the stadium is generally just casual fans with some crazies mixed in there. The talent level isn't as high either in the MLS, but it has gotten better. With Philly in the league now with Seattle last year, and Vancouver and Portland next season, the league should start picking up some momentum. Philly, Seattle, and Vancouver have pretty dedicated fan bases and I'm not too sure about Portland. I am envisioning a lot of sellouts in Philly and some loud crowds. My suggestion to you, if you want to get the whole "European" soccer feel, join the supporters group (the Sons of Ben) and sit in the supporters section. That's about as close as you will get. Haven't been to a Philly Union game yet (as there have not been any), but I was a supporter of Red Bull New York (Empire Supporters Club) up until the Philly team came in to play, and their supporter section was pretty crazy.
I will be in the Sons of Ben section, ohyaaaaaaaaaaa
Nice! I joined SoB but I didn't get season tix because I am out in Harrisburg. I'm gonna try and get some tickets for the SoB section once they go on sale for individual games. Pumped for both games tonight!
I'm not a soccer guy but I'm going to catch as much as I can just to check it out. Is the excitement of MLS different from international soccer?
Yes, the excitement level is different, but like another poster said, there will be rabid fans there. But you probably won't have a lot of brick throwing or chasing refs off the field like you would in some other countries, so if your into that sort of thing, you'll be dissapointed.
On a skill level, MLS is pretty far down the ladder. This is somewhat due to the salary cap. In Europe, you can have teams like Real Madrid and Chelsea who spend like the Yankees. In MLS, no one has that advantage, but it does possibly keep out some players that would be fun to watch.
Yes, the excitement level is different, but like another poster said, there will be rabid fans there. But you probably won't have a lot of brick throwing or chasing refs off the field like you would in some other countries, so if your into that sort of thing, you'll be dissapointed.
On a skill level, MLS is pretty far down the ladder. This is somewhat due to the salary cap. In Europe, you can have teams like Real Madrid and Chelsea who spend like the Yankees. In MLS, no one has that advantage, but it does possibly keep out some players that would be fun to watch.
Even if there weren't a salary cap, none of these teams could remotely afford those players. Besides it's not a salary so much as all of the players contracts are with the league instead of the team.
EDIT:
Also, extremely excited, got season tix and everything!
Last edited by UseYourAllusion: 03-25-2010 at 07:09 PM.
Even if there weren't a salary cap, none of these teams could remotely afford those players. Besides it's not a salary so much as all of the players contracts are with the league instead of the team.
EDIT:
Also, extremely excited, got season tix and everything!
Teams could afford them. Guarantee you if they could swing it Red Bull would be able to buy a lot of players. The only problem is no one would want to come to MLS really while they are in their prime at this point. I'm a big MLS fan, but the truth is compared to other leagues it is a joke. Messi wouldn't take $100 million a year to play for Columbus for the same reason top guys aren't fleeing to the KHL where some could potentially get more money. That's not a great example but it's like how you wouldn't have seen guys going to the USFL, XFL, AFL, etc. If you want to play in the best leagues in the world, you stay in Europe.
Teams could afford them. Guarantee you if they could swing it Red Bull would be able to buy a lot of players. The only problem is no one would want to come to MLS really while they are in their prime at this point. I'm a big MLS fan, but the truth is compared to other leagues it is a joke. Messi wouldn't take $100 million a year to play for Columbus for the same reason top guys aren't fleeing to the KHL where some could potentially get more money. That's not a great example but it's like how you wouldn't have seen guys going to the USFL, XFL, AFL, etc. If you want to play in the best leagues in the world, you stay in Europe.
JUNGITE aut PERITE!!!
Red Bull probably could, just for spite, if not profit. But none of the other teams remotely could. I guess LA did throw down pretty big for Becks, and Paul Allen wouldn't be afraid. But these teams aren't making money as it is now.
