Will LA Chivas Result In More Galaxy/Quakes Fans?

[Filho do Dragão]

OK. I've been lurking around here for some time. Every other post I read is about how they hate "Chivas USA" and all that. My question will then be: will those haters start flocking to the other MLS clubs just to rag on Chivas? If they are LA Chivas, will other people in California start going for the Galaxy and Quakes?

[Calexico77]

I don't think there is much debate over the interest Chivas USA will draw INITIALLY. The media-interest and a small percentage of Chivas fans that come and check out the team will be enough to give them a bump in LA and San Jose.

It's the long-term (after first season) that people aren't so sure about about. A bunch of angry Anti-Chivas fans may come out for the first few games, but will they attach themselves to the Galaxy or the Smurfs for longer than a year? Probably not.

LONG LONG term (3 or 4 seasons past), though, people may give in and start paying attention, especially in LA. The Galaxy are becoming more and more well known, and the stock of the MLS is rising. Having a second team, regardless of who it is, could make a big difference down the road.

[picaraza]

Yes, but not for the reason you cite.

I think Chivas LA is a good idea because it instantly creates two rivalries.

I am not sure to what extend the "Chivas haters" will contribute to the bump in attendence, but the mere fact that San Jose is playing a team from Los Angeles will mean more people in the stands.

Also, the Chivas-lovers will play their part in adding to the attendence figures.

[Jabinho]

Does anyone think there is a chance that some fans of other MFL teams who really hate Chivas might come to cheer on the Galaxy?
Is there a chance the Galaxy will gain at least a few fans this way?

[Eric B]

Does anyone think there is a chance that some fans of other MFL teams who really hate Chivas might come to cheer on the Galaxy?
Is there a chance the Galaxy will gain at least a few fans this way?Over the long haul I doubt it.

Mexies, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've kinda gathered that most Mexican fans don't really hate Chivas that much because they respect the whole "Puro Mexicano" thing, except for maybe fans of America, Tecos, and Atlas. I've even known non-Mexican Latinos who thought the concept was somewhat cool, even if they hated Mexican soccer.

I'm also not sure that CUSA will represent LA that much to Quakes fans. To NoCal's, certain teams just represent SoCal to them more than others, partially because of ahistory involved. The Lakers, Dodgers, and Kings seem to draw more ire from up North than the Clippers, Angels, and Ducks.

[picaraza]

Over the long haul I doubt it.

I'm also not sure that CUSA will represent LA that much to Quakes fans. To NoCal's, certain teams just represent SoCal to them more than others, partially because of ahistory involved. The Lakers, Dodgers, and Kings seem to draw more ire from up North than the Clippers, Angels, and Ducks.

"SoCal" has nothing to do with it. No one up here gives a **** about teams from Anaheim or San Diego. Los Angeles is a different matter.

[Okay, so the Clippers ARE from Los Angeles, but has anyone ever take them seriously? Anyway, I can still remember when they were from San Diego. Hell, I remember them in Buffalo.]

If Chivas fans do show up at Spartan Stadium to support LA Chivas, that will certainly get more than a few Quakes fans fired up. It'll be a good thing.

[crusio]

I hope so... I think Chivas will add a little juice to the league. There will be a team most other teams will immediatly despise. Lots of away fans will come out too see them around all of MLS. The LA darby with the Galaxy. An owner that actually knows how to market a team. All great things for the league.. Noone knows wether its effect will be long lasting or not, but i suspect it will.

[uclacarlos]

[Okay, so the Clippers ARE from Los Angeles, but has anyone ever take them seriously?
Why would the Bay Area care about the other LA team, the Lakers? Do they play pro hoops up here? ;)

Anyway, I think that the potential of Pumas/CA fans and their anti-Chivas stance is that the initial interest will show that the league has improved leaps and bounds since '96. So hopefully we'll be able to retain more fans that were lost since then. The only problem is that MFL has improved in the last few years as well...

[picaraza]

Why would the Bay Area care about the other LA team, the Lakers? Do they play pro hoops up here? ;)

If I remember the Buffalo Braves, you can be damn sure I remember the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

Anyway, I think that the potential of Pumas/CA fans and their anti-Chivas stance is that the initial interest will show that the league has improved leaps and bounds since '96. So hopefully we'll be able to retain more fans that were lost since then. The only problem is that MFL has improved in the last few years as well...

If CA or Pumas jump in with their own satellite clubs, so much the better. Just want to see the game improve and people in the stands. If MFL fans bring their rivalries with them, great!

[crookeddy]

If CA or Pumas jump in with their own satellite clubs, so much the better. Just want to see the game improve and people in the stands. If MFL fans bring their rivalries with them, great!

So you want MLS to become a slightly lesser version of the MFL?

[picaraza]

So you want MLS to become a slightly lesser version of the MFL?

Your characterization of what I wrote doesn't really deserve comment. I will repeat myself:

"I want to see the game improve and people in the stands. If MFL fans bring their rivalries with them, great!"

Nowhere did I say anything about a league "slightly less than" or "slightly greater than" the MFL.

Chivas USA and the others would do no such thing.

[crookeddy]

So in your opinion the way the league should grow is by getting Mexican owners to buy teams, place them where ever they want, and then having Mexican fans support those teams because they remember their rivalries from the MFL. Is that more like what you're saying?

[uclacarlos]

So in your opinion the way the league should grow is by getting Mexican owners to buy teams, place them where ever they want, and then having Mexican fans support those teams because they remember their rivalries from the MFL. Is that more like what you're saying?
Dude, vocabulary word of the day for you: strawman argument.

You're putting words in his mouth. He's not saying that. Please don't post in this thread until you can avoid using strawmen arguments.

[crookeddy]

But if you keep bringing in teams with Mexican names isn't exactly what I said going to happen?

[uclacarlos]

So in your opinion the way the league should grow is by getting Mexican owners to buy teams, place them where ever they want, and then having Mexican fans support those teams because they remember their rivalries from the MFL. Is that more like what you're saying?
What he's saying is that it's one way of expanding.

[crookeddy]

But what he said is that he's not against it. Thus my point stands.

[RED_HOT_CHILI_PEPPER]

I personally know several guys that hate Chivas and and will start to root for the Galaxy. The funny thing is they didnt care too much about the MLS and the Galaxy before Chivas USA. I am a Galaxy fan but they will be my number 2 team behind Chivas USA. I also know a bunch of Chivas fans here in L.A. that will root and support Chivas U.S.A.. Here in Los Angeles there are a lot of Chivas fans, way more than the Galaxy....way more. The Galaxy/Chivas rivary will be the biggest in the MLS, until Aguilas del America get a team.