View Full Version : The MLS would be better w/ more players like Christian Gomez
Keep parents away
01 Oct 2005, 09:33 PM
I was watching the New England vs San Jose game because I couldn't stand watching DC play on that shite field in NJ when I turned on the final minutes of the DC game and Christian Gomez was banging a drum with a group of DC fans in the stands. I spit out my beer in disbelief and then the camaras turned to him again and it was him in an Argentinian shirt. I've always enjoyed watching him play but he is now my favorite player in the league. Hands down.
Yesterday, someone asked how the MLS could market itself better. Well i have an answer. Go find more passionate, kool players like Christian Gomez. I'm still dumbfounded.
That guy is koooool and DC fans are great.
Scoobs
01 Oct 2005, 11:13 PM
Yeah that was cute but the rapport the fans have with players is prolly key here also. DeeCee have the largest traveling group in the league.
sidefootsitter
02 Oct 2005, 01:05 AM
One of the most underappreciated thigns in MLS is "retail" marketing where players (no one gives a flying fig about the officials) go to the public gatherings, school events, etc. and try to drum up support for their sport.
MLS just tries to do this via-the-phone.
The politicians however know better. It's all about shaking hands and kissing babies.
Shaydee
02 Oct 2005, 02:21 AM
even as a Metro fan that was one of the coolest things I've ever seen
I was just hoping an ESC member would go over and take his knee out so he'd miss next week :)
BBBulldog
02 Oct 2005, 06:14 AM
you should watch DC even if we play in bowling alley instead of 2 other teams (that's if you have doctor's or batender's not that you can't make actual game) :P
I was just hoping an ESC member would go over and take his knee out so he'd miss next week :)
He's more secure with us than if he was on reserve bench with fat security guards nearby :D
Fulham Fan
02 Oct 2005, 08:37 AM
I also liked seeing Paco Palencia signing autographs after the Chivas win. But Gomez definitely gave the fan moment of the night.
alliu23
02 Oct 2005, 08:44 AM
I really like that Gomez did that, it shows a hell of a lot of loyalty to his team, props to him!
monster
02 Oct 2005, 08:56 AM
One of the most underappreciated thigns in MLS is "retail" marketing where players (no one gives a flying fig about the officials) go to the public gatherings, school events, etc. and try to drum up support for their sport.
MLS just tries to do this via-the-phone.
The politicians however know better. It's all about shaking hands and kissing babies.
:confused:
Go to any team Web site. Click on the link called "In The Community." Teams do public appearances all the time.
sidefootsitter
02 Oct 2005, 09:35 AM
:confused:
Go to any team Web site. Click on the link called "In The Community." Teams do public appearances all the time. I did. Thanks. Some seem to be a little friendlier than others but all'n'all I might have underestimated the extent of the retail marketing on the MLS level.
JoeW
02 Oct 2005, 02:07 PM
One of the most underappreciated thigns in MLS is "retail" marketing where players (no one gives a flying fig about the officials) go to the public gatherings, school events, etc. and try to drum up support for their sport.
MLS just tries to do this via-the-phone.
The politicians however know better. It's all about shaking hands and kissing babies.
I was just at an event that had Nick Rimando, Troy Perkins, Tim Merritt, Jamil Walker and Matt Nickells for a mini-clinic and autograph signing. I've been to a coaching clinic that Dave Kasper held. And those were without having to go out of my way or really try to do something like that. I can't speak for other teams but DC United does a good job of this. Kevin Payne still talks about the goodwill earned under Rongen's tenure when Asst. Coach Dave Sarachan took a group of local youth players to a tournament in France.
As for Gomez, the story I'd heard was that he took his family to the game and then went into the supporter's groups to do his drumming. In short, this wasn't just a case of he thought "hey, I think I'll step off the bench here and hang out with the supporters." Instead, he took the trouble to travel up 95, bring his entire family and make a day of it. And hang out with the supporter's groups. How many away games did Lothar Mattheus or Luis Hernandez go to when they were hurt or suspended--just to be there? VERY IMPRESSIVE of Christian Gomez. I hope he sets an example for other players on other teams. There are some passionate fans out there (just look at Big Soccer for evidence) and that passion only grows when the affection is returned--not just on the playing field with results but when a Boswell jumps into the stands after scoring against Chelsea or a Gomez joins the drum corp for an away game he's suspended for.
DirtyJerzey
02 Oct 2005, 02:10 PM
even as a Metro fan that was one of the coolest things I've ever seen
I was just hoping an ESC member would go over and take his knee out so he'd miss next week :)
Damn I wish I thought of that while I was at the game. Wouldve made my night a lot better. :p
Seriously though, kudos to Mr. Gomez for doing that.
Dont get me wrong, I still hate him.
The Magpie
02 Oct 2005, 02:22 PM
The backs of United supporters should be black and blue from the endless patting that they give one another.
That being said, it's pretty cool to hear about Gomez.
The Magpie
Chicago1871
02 Oct 2005, 02:38 PM
About the 3:45 mark in the DC-Metro highlights.
Arisrules
02 Oct 2005, 02:46 PM
The backs of United supporters should be black and blue from the endless patting that they give one another.
That being said, it's pretty cool to hear about Gomez.
The Magpie
Seriously, are there more jealous fans than Revs fans? If that happened to you guys, we wouldn't hear the end of it. NEVER.
Rusty Pierce for NATS RB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kebzach
02 Oct 2005, 04:41 PM
The backs of United supporters should be black and blue from the endless patting that they give one another.
That being said, it's pretty cool to hear about Gomez.
The Magpie
For my .02, as soon as your supporters are at the DC and/or Chicago level, you are more than welcome to start the back patting yourself.
Colonial717
02 Oct 2005, 04:45 PM
Seriously, are there more jealous fans than Revs fans? If that happened to you guys, we wouldn't hear the end of it. NEVER.
Rusty Pierce for NATS RB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reading this thread, and on the DC and Metros boards you are just going off at everyone. God you are bitter. I love it. At least someone associated with the Metros cares.
BBBulldog
02 Oct 2005, 06:53 PM
should be some Gomez in here http://www.bastaic.com/ultras/jersey4/barrajersey4.WMV
The backs of United supporters should be black and blue from the endless patting that they give one another.
we draw blood when we hit to make them black and red ;)
mpruitt
02 Oct 2005, 07:21 PM
The backs of United supporters should be black and blue from the endless patting that they give one another.
That being said, it's pretty cool to hear about Gomez.
The Magpie
Check please! That Gomez thing was pretty neat, but if you want know how great DC Supporters are... just ask them.
NattyBo
02 Oct 2005, 07:28 PM
The rampant jealousy of some of the Revs wanks is starting to get old (no offense to my friends Hoover and Mike). Seriously, if you feel like its such a circle-jerk, either grow your own supporters group or just dont post about it. Its getting old.
mpruitt
02 Oct 2005, 07:59 PM
These 'Rev fans' seems to me to be myself in the other thread and now Magpie in this thread. I'm not sure that's exactly a collective consciousness. However, the inclination that we should 'grow our own supporters group' rings pretty offensive. As if the Riders and the Fort are somehow less than because they/we don't have the same magnitude or dynamic that exists in DC and Chicago. The Fort serves the Revs and the Riders quite well, thank you, that's after a lot of hard work and a long proces sof steps battling or working with the Revs front office. No two supporters groups are the same and not all supporters groups in MLS have been afforded the same ammenities or good fortune that happens to exist in certain places. That's fine. More power to those that situation.
To my mind the supporters in Chicago and DC have been blessed with three elements together are fairly unique, teams with ample on field success, stadiums with accesiably public transportation and forward thinking GMs or supportive ownership groups. That's three pretty big things that have people in Chicago and DC have going for them that have nothing to do with their own inherent greatness.
If you want to call pointing that out jealousy that's fine. The Gomez thing is extremely cool and another in a string special moments from the supporters in DC and Chicago have facilitated that help mark the overall growth of the league. All that though isn't mutally exclusive to there being a certain element of self-absorbed jackassery involved in all the stuff on these boards.