Another "Will they support" article

[sounderfan]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051112/SOCCER12/TPNational/Toronto


"One thing is for sure: [MLS] is not a top international league," Gabe Real says. "It is second division and you can't really compare it to top-flight soccer in Spain, Brazil or England."

But given the success of the U.S. World Cup team (which draws many of its stars from the MLS) and the many notable players who have come from MLS teams, fellow soccer fan Albino Silva says he'll have a look.

"If there is a quality team and a well-presented product, I will go and buy tickets," Mr. Silva says. Then he quickly glances back at the TV to make sure the second half hasn't begun.

[socamonarch]

It is Ironic that Harold Ballard owned the Toronto maple leafs for almost 2 decades and Steve stavros was the majority shareholder of MLSE for over a decade- and both had early links to Soccer.. Perhaps that is why MLSE is so interested in Soccer? I think they have more than enough money to tough it out and build the team up properly.. One thing is for sure- they definitely have the marketing muscle to promote it.

[sounderfan]

Does Toronto MLS *really need* these kind of fans to survive? Aren't there enough longtime 'locals' who would come? You know, the 'native settler' Canadians who follow the Jays, Argos, Leafs and Raptors?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I would have thought that first generation immigrant soccer fans should be one of the prime target demograpics personally. If the quality is good they will be there.

[NASLNUT]

Does Toronto MLS *really need* these kind of fans to survive? Aren't there enough longtime 'locals' who would come? You know, the 'native settler' Canadians who follow the Jays, Argos, Leafs and Raptors?

They are one in the same. Pro sports in Toronto draws from all demographics.

There are plenty of soccer fans in Toronto waiting for pro Soccer. MLSE has the tools to make it work.

[Captain Canuck]

Does Toronto MLS *really need* these kind of fans to survive? Aren't there enough longtime 'locals' who would come? You know, the 'native settler' Canadians who follow the Jays, Argos, Leafs and Raptors?

There certainly are. These type of sports fans tend to have much more respect/knowledge/interest in soccer generally thanks to the prevalance of the World Cup & Euro Cup in Toronto.

Whether they do come out or not of course, we'll have to see. Much will depend on MLSE how much (& how well) they market it. Interesting to see that MLS might be moving to a system where each team has a marquee player that can be spent above the salary cap. I think that MLSE probably has the cast to take advantage of this & could get some of the "Eurosnob" type fans.

[Brownswan]

Just out of curiosity, how many leagues can compare with 'top-flight' soccer in England, Spain or Brasil -- and we can add Italy, Germany, and France as well?

Do the majority of fans, who live in the majority of other countries, simply tune out their own leagues? Once you get into a proper stadium with about 10,000 or more fans out to back their side, it's all relative.

MLS will show you some good football, and it will only get better. I've been following it for 10 years now, with no regrets, beyond Metro having won nothing of note in all that time.

[Blizzard]

I have to agree. It was good to see that the quoted individual recognized that Portugal is not in the "top-flight" leagues but as we would all be happy as hell if we could attend Portuguese league matches every week. Portugal is a lot like Scotland in that there are only two or three "top-flight" teams in their #1 divisions.

I am very, very excited at the prospect of going to see some quality league soccer once again.

[Sempuukyaku]

Just out of curiosity, how many leagues can compare with 'top-flight' soccer in England, Spain or Brasil -- and we can add Italy, Germany, and France as well?

Do the majority of fans, who live in the majority of other countries, simply tune out their own leagues? Once you get into a proper stadium with about 10,000 or more fans out to back their side, it's all relative.

MLS will show you some good football, and it will only get better. I've been following it for 10 years now, with no regrets, beyond Metro having won nothing of note in all that time.


This man knows what he's talkin about
:cool:

[KaptPowers]

It's the same problem the entire league has. America is chock full of people who are either immigrants or belong to an ethnic group that loves soccer BUT they pay attention to their "home" league and none to MLS because "it's not the same." I remember when the Midnight Riders got together at to watch us play Columbus at the Midwest Grille in Cambridge. We sat in the back room. One on TV was Revs/Columbus and the other was going to be showing Flamengo/Fluminense, which started 30 minutes after "our" game ended. Both had crowds around them. We tried to get the F/F crowd to watch some our game and had no takers. It was the league's problem in miniature.

You can't sway these people. You need to go after their kids. Put the product out there, let them know it's there....but don't rely on them for your fanbase.

[irishapple21]

MLS will show you some good football, and it will only get better. I've been following it for 10 years now, with no regrets, beyond Metro having won nothing of note in all that time.

I wouldn't say Metro has won nothing of note. They did win La Manga Cup over teams like Viking and Dynamo Kiev. Dynamo Kiev, of course, was the real-life team that beat the German soccer squad during WWII and inspired the 1980 film "Victory."

[irishapple21]

Growing up close to the Canadian border has given me some insights into the Canadian mindset (and made me grow up with a lot of Canadian influences, among which are fanatical devotion to the NHL and a strange craving for Kraft dinner). Canadians are very nationalistic (in a proud, not militant way) and if Toronto's new MLS team is marketed as "Canada's team", the people will support it. Lots of maple leafs and beer. It's as simple as that, really.

[GIO17]

Very true Irishapple. That's very true. But sooner or later these folks have to realize that this isn't just Canada's team, they belong to the City of Toronto. The only way Canada's team stays afloat is if they go to every single match.

Just like they heavily support the Leafs: NHL, Argonauts: CFL, & Blue Jays: MLB. If someone like Dwayne DeRosario was able to go and play on this new side I think there could be a big boost to the ticket sales. But other than that, these people have to get up off their arses and start attending the matches if they care not only for their club, but for their national team as well.

[RealGooner]

Just out of curiosity, how many leagues can compare with 'top-flight' soccer in England, Spain or Brasil -- and we can add Italy, Germany, and France as well?

Do the majority of fans, who live in the majority of other countries, simply tune out their own leagues? Once you get into a proper stadium with about 10,000 or more fans out to back their side, it's all relative.

MLS will show you some good football, and it will only get better. I've been following it for 10 years now, with no regrets, beyond Metro having won nothing of note in all that time.

So true. Its all relative.