According to Amy at US Soccer

[ACGreen]

How arrogant! Just because you call yourself a member of "Sam's Army" somehow you have more of a right to a ticket than other people? I've followed USSoccer since the mid-70s but never am close enough to go to a qualifier. Now I get a chance to go to Germany and see the US and all you people can do is bitch about how people like me don't deserve it because we're not in your prissy little army. Get a life.

Aye, there's the rub.

I want soccer to be popular, not as an end in itself. But to then proclaim that I liked soccer first.

Ergo, I rock. ;)

BTW, I think that the 'newbies' referred to are perhaps more acurately described as 'ticket brokers'.

[JBigjake]

I've followed USSoccer since the mid-70s but never am close enough to go to a qualifier.
I don't think that people are saying that tickets should be restricted to Sam's Army. However, people are saying that loyalty should be a factor. These games are not played in our back yards, either. People have travelled to Korea, to France, to Central America and across the USA to support the USMNT in person. Now you decide that it fits into your travel plans to attend the World Cup? Excuse me if I suggest that you attend some qualifiers first, or buy Cat 1 or use a travel agent, leaving the Cat 3s & 4s to those who want to attend their 10th or 20th USMNT game.
P.S. Where have you been since the 1970s that you couldn't get to one previous game?

[The Wisdom Cube]

I read an article recently that was quoting Sepp Blatter on various issues. One comment he made went something like "The Germans want everything to be perfect... but if you ID everyone who is going to the game, then it will take four hours to get everyone into the stadium." I would be surprised if a large number of people get ID'd.

[El-Professor]

I don't think that people are saying that tickets should be restricted to Sam's Army. However, people are saying that loyalty should be a factor. These games are not played in our back yards, either. People have travelled to Korea, to France, to Central America and across the USA to support the USMNT in person. Now you decide that it fits into your travel plans to attend the World Cup? Excuse me if I suggest that you attend some qualifiers first, or buy Cat 1 or use a travel agent, leaving the Cat 3s & 4s to those who want to attend their 10th or 20th USMNT game.
P.S. Where have you been since the 1970s that you couldn't get to one previous game?


I've lived in Lubbock, Texas and Tucson, Arizona and didn't have the funds or the free time to travel as others did. I watched EVERY game I could get on TV, followed others on the internet, and recently joined the discussions on here. I did get to some games when the WC was here, but couldn't afford to travel to where the US was playing so I went to some games in Dallas (hitched a ride, slept on a friend's floor). Are you really suggesting that because I didn't have the means or time to attend qualifiers that now I should step aside for others? You are being an elitist snob and no, I won't excuse you.

When I heard the WC was in Germany I immediately began making plans to go and saving money for the trip. I have friends in Germany and knew I could combine some great soccer with a visit to people I rarely get to see. Does this make me less "pure" in my motives than you? If so, then piss off and I don't give a rats ass if you get a ticket or not.

I won't be selling my tickets, and if any of you share this snob's sentiments, I hope I DON"T see you there. Otherwise GO USA!!!

[roadkit]

I don't think that people are saying that tickets should be restricted to Sam's Army. However, people are saying that loyalty should be a factor. These games are not played in our back yards, either. People have travelled to Korea, to France, to Central America and across the USA to support the USMNT in person. Now you decide that it fits into your travel plans to attend the World Cup? Excuse me if I suggest that you attend some qualifiers first, or buy Cat 1 or use a travel agent, leaving the Cat 3s & 4s to those who want to attend their 10th or 20th USMNT game.
P.S. Where have you been since the 1970s that you couldn't get to one previous game?

Dude, It's America - a FREE country.

I've been to two USMNT qualifiers/friendlies - one before 2002 and one this time around, both at RFK. If I hadn't lived near RFK I probably wouldn't have gone to any.

I have as much of a right to see my team play in Germany as anyone.

And by the way, Bruce Arena has stated as much that "there are players who get you qualified and players you take to the World Cup." I'm not aying it's the same for fans, but if you think going to qualifiers should get you any special privileges, I disagree.

[DC_Gunner]

I agree, especially in a massive country like the US. I mean, it's proboably not such a big deal for someone in holland, for example, to make all the home qualifiers, Utrecht, Rotterdam and A'dam just aren't that far away from each other. But even then I find such a financially elitist system distateful. It really bothers me, for example, that there are serious impediments to me atending an arsenal game because I have not accumulated the requisite amount of points by atendingreserve games and the like- I happen to live in DC but- does that mean i'm not a fan- and have'nt earned the right to spend my money going to a match, if I lived in london I proboably would watch the reserves at Underhill.

[FC Tallavana]

Dude, It's America - a FREE country.

I've been to two USMNT qualifiers/friendlies - one before 2002 and one this time around, both at RFK. If I hadn't lived near RFK I probably wouldn't have gone to any.

I have as much of a right to see my team play in Germany as anyone.

And by the way, Bruce Arena has stated as much that "there are players who get you qualified and players you take to the World Cup." I'm not aying it's the same for fans, but if you think going to qualifiers should get you any special privileges, I disagree.

You do have just as much right as anyone - which is zero!

If we don't get the fed to put in place a system that rewards the hardcore fan our entire ticket allotment will soon be in the hands of fatcat corporate types who could give a sh!t less about the games. The world is not an egalitarian utopia where all men are created equal and treated fairly and we must accept that fact before our fed decides to be like Mexico and not make any tickets available to public.

The argument being made for a new process is not so much an argument against people like you getting tickets as it is an argument for people like me getting them before people like you. You may love the nats just as much as me but you have shown through the years to prefer to watch them on tv over watching them in person. Because of this, you shouldn't have too much of a problem watching them on tv in the WC.

[FC Tallavana]

I agree, especially in a massive country like the US. I mean, it's proboably not such a big deal for someone in holland, for example, to make all the home qualifiers, Utrecht, Rotterdam and A'dam just aren't that far away from each other. But even then I find such a financially elitist system distateful. It really bothers me, for example, that there are serious impediments to me atending an arsenal game because I have not accumulated the requisite amount of points by atendingreserve games and the like- I happen to live in DC but- does that mean i'm not a fan- and have'nt earned the right to spend my money going to a match, if I lived in london I proboably would watch the reserves at Underhill.

If you want to go to an Arsenal match call up a ticket broker. It may cost you more than face value but the people who pay face value have earned that right by spending a whole lot more on the team over the course of the year (season tickets, concessions, etc) than you will for that one match that you decide to attend.

The same would be true for the WC should the fed decide to reward the hardcore fans by giving them priority over the casual fans (or the non-spending fans). While the hardcore fans might get WC tickets at face value, the casual fan will still be able to attend the games for less overall money by purchasing them from a broker.

How is that possible? Consider I paid over $1000 for the trip to Chicago to see the England game and $500 to see the Mexico game in Columbus. I won't even begin to put a price on driving up the Jersey turnpike for the east coast games (that kind of torture cannot be assigned a dollar value). From just two of the games attended I spent more money than most brokers are charging for US TSTs to the first round. You may not think that means anything, but the fed certainly should, as a big chunk of attendance comes from people flying/driving into town like I do.

[Ronaldo's Idol]

If you want to go to an Arsenal match call up a ticket broker. It may cost you more than face value but the people who pay face value have earned that right by spending a whole lot more on the team over the course of the year (season tickets, concessions, etc) than you will for that one match that you decide to attend.

The same would be true for the WC should the fed decide to reward the hardcore fans by giving them priority over the casual fans (or the non-spending fans). While the hardcore fans might get WC tickets at face value, the casual fan will still be able to attend the games for less overall money by purchasing them from a broker.

How is that possible? Consider I paid over $1000 for the trip to Chicago to see the England game and $500 to see the Mexico game in Columbus. I won't even begin to put a price on driving up the Jersey turnpike for the east coast games (that kind of torture cannot be assigned a dollar value). From just two of the games attended I spent more money than most brokers are charging for US TSTs to the first round. You may not think that means anything, but the fed certainly should, as a big chunk of attendance comes from people flying/driving into town like I do.

I absolutely agree that you should be given preference. It would knock my down the batting order (as I've never seen a USMNT game in person...but I'm going to the Japan one in SF in Feb.). It is only fair. Someone who is willing and able to fly across the country to see a single game deserves tickets to the WC. Just plain does.

You should let USSF know your feelings. The higher ups really should cater to you. It is best for them to keep their best and most dedicated fans happy.

USSoccer is on the rise, and more and more people will be going to games in the coming years because our national team is getting damn close to world class. USSoccer doesn't need to worry that much about attendance, as 10 years from now they'll sell out every game most likely.

[FC Tallavana]

I absolutely agree that you should be given preference. It would knock my down the batting order (as I've never seen a USMNT game in person...but I'm going to the Japan one in SF in Feb.). It is only fair. Someone who is willing and able to fly across the country to see a single game deserves tickets to the WC. Just plain does.

You should let USSF know your feelings. The higher ups really should cater to you. It is best for them to keep their best and most dedicated fans happy.

USSoccer is on the rise, and more and more people will be going to games in the coming years because our national team is getting damn close to world class. USSoccer doesn't need to worry that much about attendance, as 10 years from now they'll sell out every game most likely.

I wouldn't go so far as saying I'm one of their best and most dedicated fans as even I am a bit selective as to what games I attend. Some folks go to them all, regardless of roster or foe. Those guys/gals deserve the real praise and WC tickets. I just feel that I should have some sort of preference over people who don't attend any games at all.

[roadkit]

The argument being made for a new process is not so much an argument against people like you getting tickets as it is an argument for people like me getting them before people like you. You may love the nats just as much as me but you have shown through the years to prefer to watch them on tv over watching them in person. Because of this, you shouldn't have too much of a problem watching them on tv in the WC.

It's elitists like you that have the resources (read: MONEY) to go to mutliple qualifiers. Not everyone has that luxury. Some of us, for varying reasons, choose to pick when and where we will spend our precious dollars on US Soccer. Saving for 4 years to watch the World Cup, while forgoing qualifiers, may be a choice people have to make because they don't have the money and free time you obviously do.

Maybe what USSF should do is keep a database of registered fans and issue each a ranking, based on the number of games attended and tickets purchased, amount of items bought from the USSOCCERSTORE and the number of minutes spent surfing the USSF website. The people with the highest rankings would get priority for all tickets, and in turn would be required to buy a minimum number of tickets for alll qualifiers/friendlies, etc. A good number would be 4 tickets per game - you have to buy them, regardless of whether you can go or not. Important fans need to pony up to show their support. Based on these rankings, tickets would be allocated for future games including the World Cup, and would be passed down from generation to generation, just like Master's Tickets, NFL Season tickets, and antique furniture. Wouldn't that be great?

And for the record, I donate several hundred dollars a year to the USSF via the Combined Federal Campaign. I never thought it should qualify me for special treatment.

[J-Justice]

I couldn't afford to get to any WC qualifiers, but I've been saving for Germany since 2002. But yeah, I definitely shouldn't be allowed to have an equal opportunity to get tickets to the WC because of my financial situation. Sounds good to me.

[MikeLastort2]

The idea that people in supporters groups should have first crack at tickets for USMNT games in Germany (or anywhere else for that matter) is a load of crap.

[roadkit]

The idea that people in supporters groups should have first crack at tickets for USMNT games in Germany (or anywhere else for that matter) is a load of crap.

Mike, I like how you can put in one sentence what it took me 3 paragraphs of semi-coherent babbling to say.

Well done!

:D

[Bill63]

The idea that people in supporters groups should have first crack at tickets for USMNT games in Germany (or anywhere else for that matter) is a load of crap.

I found as I read through the points that I felt for both arguments, but I gotta go with the above in the end.

As was pointed out earlier, cost is relative. And so is freedom. Hell, I'm fairly poor in the grand scheme of things. I can't drop $500 or $1000 without a lot of planning and saving. I realize that some of these games could be had on the cheep, but that brings up freedom. I could have driven to Ohio from east Georgia for USA/Mexico and gotten off without too much cash out of pocket. But that was my weekend with the kids. They win. If I was still in my 20's, I wouldn't have any responsibilities keeping me from games (though they don't come to the Southeast too often). And I know that some of us who are older might still move Heaven and Earth to make the games. But when I can make and I've hoped and prayed for that day, I don't want to find out that I can't 'cause somebody else has got dibs.

[DC_Gunner]

If you want to go to an Arsenal match call up a ticket broker. It may cost you more than face value but the people who pay face value have earned that right by spending a whole lot more on the team over the course of the year (season tickets, concessions, etc) than you will for that one match that you decide to attend.

The same would be true for the WC should the fed decide to reward the hardcore fans by giving them priority over the casual fans (or the non-spending fans). While the hardcore fans might get WC tickets at face value, the casual fan will still be able to attend the games for less overall money by purchasing them from a broker.

How is that possible? Consider I paid over $1000 for the trip to Chicago to see the England game and $500 to see the Mexico game in Columbus. I won't even begin to put a price on driving up the Jersey turnpike for the east coast games (that kind of torture cannot be assigned a dollar value). From just two of the games attended I spent more money than most brokers are charging for US TSTs to the first round. You may not think that means anything, but the fed certainly should, as a big chunk of attendance comes from people flying/driving into town like I do.

You, and the Arsenal fans in question received services for their money- it was not just blindly invested- You did see the England and Cbus games did yo not, don't act like you've done American soccer a favor. Listen, I've been to alot of games since 94, but paying for those shouldn't give me special rights. i poad to go to those games, and I got what a I paid for, the experience of those games, not an inflated sense of self worth. As far as the brokers go, it's not so bad for an arsenal game, it's probboaly double the price, which is alot, but not catastrophic, the WC brokers, on the other hand are charging catastrophic price, 400ish euros for a group game. That's the difference between one game and six for me, which is a big deal- that's not something that available to everyone, regardless of 'dedication to the cause' especially when you factor in the price of the trip in the first place.
You knew when you went to chicago and Ohio that a) you weren't buying anything more than a seat in the stadium- so stop asking for more
and b) you could still go to germany.
For many it's not both, but either or. And i'd take germany every time.

[Etienne_72772]

OK--I called Amy at US Soccer, and she was gracious to answer a couple of questions for me.

She claimed the numbers were random, but when pressed on the issue (because I told her they definitely fall into patterns), she admitted that a computer program tells them what number to apply to each order, and she has no idea how the computer program generates the numbers.

So if there are patterns in the numbers, it is from whoever developed the program to spit out the numbers. THe folks at US Soccer are not aware of how this is done.

(She also told me that everyone on Bigsoccer that is fretting over this is crazy. And she was pretty emphatic about the use of the term "crazy".)

Also, I asked if she had any idea how many orders were received, and she said that she had absolutely no idea. What they are doing right now is trying to cull out the duplicates. She said she received a large number of duplicates, and they were doing their best to eliminate them (not both orders, but just the second of the duplicates).

She said that everyone who is getting tickets will know by January 6th.

[roadkit]

So if there are patterns in the numbers, it is from whoever developed the program to spit out the numbers.

I knew it. It's SKYNET. We are all doomed. :D

[NASL Fan]

OK--I called Amy at US Soccer, and she was gracious to answer a couple of questions for me.

(She also told me that everyone on Bigsoccer that is fretting over this is crazy. And she was pretty emphatic about the use of the term "crazy".)

She said that everyone who is getting tickets will know by January 6th.

Hey, thanks for calling her.

What do you think she meant by "crazy"?

Crazy to be spending hours spinning theories about numbers?

Crazy to be obesessed about soccer and the World Cup?

Crazy because everyone is going to get tickets so don't worry about it?

Crazy because people she's never talked to before are calling her up and addressing her on a first name basis like they know her?

Crazy because some BSer posted a picture of her that bears no resemblance to reality?

:) ;) :)

[Etienne_72772]

Hey, thanks for calling her.

What do you think she meant by "crazy"?

Crazy to be spending hours spinning theories about numbers?

Crazy to be obesessed about soccer and the World Cup?

Crazy because everyone is going to get tickets so don't worry about it?

Crazy because people she's never talked to before are calling her up and addressing her on a first name basis like they know her?

Crazy because some BSer posted a picture of her that bears no resemblance to reality?

:) ;) :)

She specifically used the term "Crazy" when I told her how people had analyzed the numbers to come up with the patterns.

By the way, I posted that picture of Amy--it just gave me an excuse to find and post a picture of a girl in a bikini...