JoeSoccerFan
16 Dec 2005, 05:21 PM
However, all of the guys I know are going for the soccer not really a European vacation (although I'm betting they sold it to their wives that way). Just my anecdotal evidence added to the discussion.
That's exactly how I sold it to my wife. Soccer first, vacation second. She decided to stay home for the good of all. That's why I love her.
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.
I think you miss the point. Belonging to a "prissy little army" isn't the question. Instead, it's supporters (regardless if they stand in "prissy little army" section) who attend the games that USSF is selling is the question.
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.
Every individual/family decides their priorities in spending their time and money. You have decided that you would prefer NOT to spend your money on domestic USSF games. OK, that's your decision. However, I'm offended for you to state that because other's budget/save and make the WCQ (and other games) a priority that their elitist snobs! That's crap and offensive. If you had the initiative, there were 3 recent matches (SLC/ALB/Hou or Dal) within a day's drive time. Would it cost you time and money? Yes. Would it be harder than sitting on your arse in front of the TV? Yes.
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.
See above about priorities. From DC, CBus (6 hours) for Mexico, Hartford (8 hours) for TnT, let alone GC (4 hours). If you wanted to you could get a bunch of friends (or other BS) to cut costs.
For example, I slept in the Cbus parking lot with my travel companions to cut cost for the Mex game. I've slept in a rest area to go to the England game in Chicago. Comfortable - not so much.
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.
As you can see, I disagree. Why would USSF not want to reward the people that support it the most? Heck, Mike I know that you were at Cbus (for Mex). Would DCU sell me your seats because I sent it in before you? No, they'd offer me a seat in another section that hasn't been taken. It's about treating your most loyal customers well. It's not to say, for those unable to attend fewer games, you can't come. However, we going to take care of our most loyal customers first.
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.
I can't drop $500/$1000 without a lot of planning either. But it's not necessary to spend a lot of money - if you're frugual and you make it a priority. If it's not a priority, ok - but don't tell me that you have supported the team as much as others (and I'm not talking about myself).
The guys from Minnesota are absolutely amazing! They show up at all of the games and the last time I looked they haven't got a WCQ recently. U19 women's tourny couple of years ago????
As far as location, East Georgia isn't too far from Bham (Guat). If you really wanted to go, it'd mean taking a day off for travel and the initiative to hook up with others in Atlanta to cut costs. The Guatemalan fans from Georgia showed up - did you?
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?
Now, I really like your idea - even though I know you meant it sarcastically. However, I would base it upon games attended. Nor the compulsary purchasing of tickets.
There's no way that the USSF should do anything for Germany (it wouldn't be fair). However, directly after the WC, the USSF should announce a plan for South Africa (and other high demand games, i.e., Mexico). As an aside, I brought up South Africa with my wife today and RIGHT NOW she thinks she may want to go for that one. Need to start saving in July 2006.
Back to my rant -
Sam's Army should set up a ticketing system (ok, stop laughing - they can't even sell T-shirts, scarves, etc). Then, they could order a block of tickets from USSF and distribute before general population.
Just my opinion. I hope to see all of you in Germany.
That's exactly how I sold it to my wife. Soccer first, vacation second. She decided to stay home for the good of all. That's why I love her.
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.
I think you miss the point. Belonging to a "prissy little army" isn't the question. Instead, it's supporters (regardless if they stand in "prissy little army" section) who attend the games that USSF is selling is the question.
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.
Every individual/family decides their priorities in spending their time and money. You have decided that you would prefer NOT to spend your money on domestic USSF games. OK, that's your decision. However, I'm offended for you to state that because other's budget/save and make the WCQ (and other games) a priority that their elitist snobs! That's crap and offensive. If you had the initiative, there were 3 recent matches (SLC/ALB/Hou or Dal) within a day's drive time. Would it cost you time and money? Yes. Would it be harder than sitting on your arse in front of the TV? Yes.
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.
See above about priorities. From DC, CBus (6 hours) for Mexico, Hartford (8 hours) for TnT, let alone GC (4 hours). If you wanted to you could get a bunch of friends (or other BS) to cut costs.
For example, I slept in the Cbus parking lot with my travel companions to cut cost for the Mex game. I've slept in a rest area to go to the England game in Chicago. Comfortable - not so much.
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.
As you can see, I disagree. Why would USSF not want to reward the people that support it the most? Heck, Mike I know that you were at Cbus (for Mex). Would DCU sell me your seats because I sent it in before you? No, they'd offer me a seat in another section that hasn't been taken. It's about treating your most loyal customers well. It's not to say, for those unable to attend fewer games, you can't come. However, we going to take care of our most loyal customers first.
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.
I can't drop $500/$1000 without a lot of planning either. But it's not necessary to spend a lot of money - if you're frugual and you make it a priority. If it's not a priority, ok - but don't tell me that you have supported the team as much as others (and I'm not talking about myself).
The guys from Minnesota are absolutely amazing! They show up at all of the games and the last time I looked they haven't got a WCQ recently. U19 women's tourny couple of years ago????
As far as location, East Georgia isn't too far from Bham (Guat). If you really wanted to go, it'd mean taking a day off for travel and the initiative to hook up with others in Atlanta to cut costs. The Guatemalan fans from Georgia showed up - did you?
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?
Now, I really like your idea - even though I know you meant it sarcastically. However, I would base it upon games attended. Nor the compulsary purchasing of tickets.
There's no way that the USSF should do anything for Germany (it wouldn't be fair). However, directly after the WC, the USSF should announce a plan for South Africa (and other high demand games, i.e., Mexico). As an aside, I brought up South Africa with my wife today and RIGHT NOW she thinks she may want to go for that one. Need to start saving in July 2006.
Back to my rant -
Sam's Army should set up a ticketing system (ok, stop laughing - they can't even sell T-shirts, scarves, etc). Then, they could order a block of tickets from USSF and distribute before general population.
Just my opinion. I hope to see all of you in Germany.