A Fixture for New Yorkers

[Jeff L]

Although not Arsenal related, (although it's about time they considered heading off into the last "unclaimed" soccer territory), the Italian "Super Cup", (the equivilent of the F.A. Community Shield) between Juventus (Serie A winners) and A.C. Milan (Cup Winners) (plus European Cup) is going to be played at Giants Stadium, NYC on August 3rd.
With a lot of other top European teams choosing to play in the USA this season in various tournaments (including Man. Ure), when are Arsenal going to head over and try to get more PR exposure.
When you think that this "big soccer" board contains more input from Gunners fans then the rest put together, it's about time the Club realised the support that they have in the USA and begin to capitalise on it, rather than potentially ending up "also rans".

[Martin Daoust]

Couldn't agree more, Jeff! It would be great just for Gooners here but it would advance the club and its stature here immeasurably. And our club with its mixture of stars from throughout the world would seem an ideal draw for American soccer fans not just Gooners. It would also give American players like a Tim Howard say reason to consdier coming to Highbury. Have to wonder why they don't come over myself...

[dwinkler]

I second that emotion - great idea, and I'd book my flight to New York instantly if it ever happened. (Uh, Rick, could I crash at your place?)

I wonder, though, if the English powers-that-be would ever allow it? In the first place, they're idiots. In the second, they seem to do pretty well holding it in Cardiff.

[Jeff L]

"DWINKLER". The same thought crossed my mind when I heard about "The Italian Job". It's a good and brave step to take. However in NYC they will fill Giants Stadium with that fixture with Italian-Americans by themselves, without the diverse multi-cultural population of NYC.
However, I doubt if the Football League would ever undertake such a step, but with Arsenal v. Man. Ure you couldn't choose a bigger game to "make that change".
I'd fly over for that myself, and by the way, I've already claimed RIck's sofa! (LOL). Jeff.

[michaec]

I don't mind teams playing friendlies anywhere in the world in the spirit of promoting the sport, but the Charity Shield is a real game. I'm not against Americans or any other nationality supporting Arsenal in any way whatsoever, but playing a competitive game overseas for the sole purpose of financial gain is an unsavoury idea to say the least. If you live in America and support Arsenal, then there are certain things you have to live with, chief among them being that we are an English team and we play in England (and before anyone starts, I know Cardiff is in Wales). If people want to be able to go and watch their team and they live in New York, I suggest they support the Metrostars. This idea isn't a million miles away from the NFL saying that American Football isn't that big in England, let's have the Superbowl there.

[442]

I'm never a big fan of taking actual competition out of their natural places. I think it's ridiculous when the Tour de France has stages in Belgium, Spain, etc.

The Italian SuperCup in NYC? Dumb. Now, if they wanted to bring a bunch of Euro teams over here to the U.S. for a new tour, or Series if you will, that would be cool. Maybe they could bring teams like Celtic, Barcelona, an English team, and maybe the two teams who played in the Champs League final. Oh, wait, they are doing that.

I think the ChampionsWorld Series is a cool idea. Nothing really on the line, but a chance for people in different parts of the U.S. to see top quality Euro soccer. I'd love to see Arsenal in this next year.

[Martin Daoust]

I agree-I like the match here and will be getting tickets BUT think it is ridiculous to hold an ACTUAL COMPETITIVE match here. That is silly. Have them play for the Rudolph Giuliani Cup(no offense intended-just seems they ought to play for something honoring Italian-American heritage and ties)or something like that. The Italian Super Cup should be played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome-PERIOD. They surely could still play here without cheating their own supporters out of another chance to enjoy them...

[DoctorK]

I thought it was the Tony Soprano Cup AC and Juve were playing for! Seriously, I'd love to see the Gunners come over, but it wouldn't be anything like seeing them at Highbury.

And Michaec, you are absolutely right, the MetroStars need the support of NYC-area soccer fans. Desperately. They are worthy.

If and when the Gunners come over, unlike ManUre, I hope they have the decency to play MLS sides. It might not be as lucrative, but it would be the right thing to do.

[dwinkler]

Ahhh, I've got to disagree with those of you who are against it. Look, it's not like it's the FA Cup Final that's at stake, it's some minor money-spinning game. I know I haven't been following English soccer all my life, but I've followed it pretty closely for about 5 years. And the Charity/Community Shield doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. For example, I know there's no way in hell I'm paying $20 to buy it on PPV.

I don't know much about the Italian Super Cup, but I do remember reading about shockingly low attendances at some Italian Cup games. Don't know if it's their domestic or league cup, but I think fans there are getting burned out on too much soccer that has too little meaning, and the money men are realizing it's time to tap different markets.

So those of you who don't want "real" games played outside of their countries, then what do you make of the NBA and MLB games that have been played outside the U.S.? You don't think it's opened those markets a bit?

I don't see the harm in this, especially since it's a one-off. It's good marketing for the league, and it re-energizes a stagnant game. Again, not saying that's the case with the Community Shield, but the Italians are obviously doing this for a reason.

[michaec]

I know a lot of people feel that the Charity Shield isn't a proper game, but there will be seventy thousand people in Cardiff in a couple of months time who will desperately want their team to win. I know I'll be wanting the team to beat United the same as if it were a league or FA Cup game. The Italian Super Cup being held in America is a symptom of the fact that football has become about money for the clubs, nothing else just money. This is an act of outrageous disregard for their loyal fans who follow their teams through thick and thin and then are denied the opportunity to be at one of the showpiece games of the season.

[phishy]

once again micaec.. we are thinking the exact same on this manner.. is uncanny~~ now lets just get rid of gallic bob and sign lucio... sorry wrong thread.. hahaa

laters~
P

[DoctorK]

Originally posted by dwinkler
I don't see the harm in this, especially since it's a one-off. It's good marketing for the league, and it re-energizes a stagnant game. Again, not saying that's the case with the Community Shield, but the Italians are obviously doing this for a reason.

Good marketing for what league, Serie A? The potential harm is to MLS, who take a shot everytime foreign sides come over and sell 40-50,000+ more tickets than the team that calls the stadium home. I'm sick and tired of people saying, "see, if MLS was any good, people would show up."

Granted, I'm very tempted to go to see AC vs. Juve in the Swamp, but I'd wish at the least it was a doubleheader with the Metros, so they can give those skeptics a chance to see how much the quality has improved (yesterday's match notwithstanding), and indeed providing some marketing potential for MLS.

I find it bizarre that a match that counts for Italian fans will be taken to our shores. It just doesn't seem right. And I personally find the Charity Shield to be very important, and believe the opportunity to watch the Gunners crush ManUre in Cardiff to be very much worth the PPV cost.

[asfoolasiam]

I don't know about the economics of the question, but you couldn't keep me away with large hungry dogs from Giants Stadium for an Arsenal-ManUre Community Shield face-off.

(Of course, I've always been fond of large hungry dogs... ;))

[SueB]

Italian SuperCup supposedly was actually held in the US once before in the early 90s I think. Last year, it was held in Libya. As somebody said earlier in this thread, Italians don't seem to care much about the Italian Cup much less the Super Cup. Part of the problem is that the game is always in August, and in August just about every Italian is on holiday and not thinking about calcio just yet. This year, there is the additional distraction that the traditional "Berlusconi Trophy" pre-season friendly (always between Juve and Milan) is set for Aug 17 in Milan. So it would be of even LESS interest to play this match one between the same two clubs and probably even in the same location! - one week later, which was the original date.

[nyrmetros]

Arsenal needs to come to NYC !!!

[Andy]

Originally posted by NYR Metros
Arsenal needs to come to NYC !!!
Where would they play? Giants Stadium? It's a crap pitch. If they came over here, I'd rather they play on a good pitch like Foxboro or the new one out west(Home Depot Center?).

[nyrmetros]

Play at Yankees Stadium ! :)

[Mike Toole]

Originally posted by Andy
I'd rather they play on a good pitch like Foxboro

SECONDED!!!!!!!! :D

I'd love to see them play at Foxboro, but:
a.) not a major match-- no need to play the charity shield match anywhere but eng-- er, wales. seriously.
b.) doubleheader with the Revs versus the Mutts or whatever. The Revs are DEFINITELY worthy... last weekend's match notwithstanding. :D

[HighburyGoon]

Well, now they can come to Philly, what with the new stadium in place. The only question then is, "Who to play?"

[Andy]

Originally posted by arsenalfan
Well, now they can come to Philly, what with the new stadium in place. This brings me to a question: Does anyone know what the pitch size will be in Philly? Is it going to be good sized or will it be like Giants Stadium.