Who really supports MLS/Soccer in USA?

[dcrpoop]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!

[eltico]

Having to decide whether to agree with a Metro fan or Segroves is like trying to decide between Lanky's toothless crack whores or Aimer.

That said, I hate the Metros.

[Knave]

This belongs - I think - on the Soccer in The USA board. Moved with redirect.

[jamison]

This does belong here, but let's try to leave the Aimersmack where it lay. ahem.

[SueB]

1. No (did make the 100-mile roundtrip to see my local PDL team 4 times this summer and took a long weekend trip with my young kids to one MLS game).

2. Yes.

3. Yes (though I think you meant to have this question reversed). I purchased a shirt for my local PDL team. That's non-MLS, I guess.

4. Yes (have a fansite for my local PDL team).

5. No.

6. Yes.

Am I really the problem?

[Darth_Norteno]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
Yes, for the first time this season. It's the first time I can afford to go to games on a frequent basis.
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
Hell no, why would I want to watch the rest of you shite?
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
When it comes to MLS gear, it's strictly United gear. I wouldn't be caught dead with another MLS crest on my person. So, yes, yes I do, since I have a lot of Arsenal kits.
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
Lower leagues and the rest of MLS can go to hell. I encourage support for United only.
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
Once to Richmond for preseason, and earlier this year to the Pedo-lands.
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)
I am part of every keeper's nightmare...LA NORTE.

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!
Actually, answering "yes" to 3 would seem like a problem to American soccer. And what problem is there with the game anyway (besides the obvious WUSA fiasco)?

By the way, go to hell, MetroScum. [/obligatoryhate]

[elainemichelle]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?

There isn't a team in my market.

2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?

I'm jobless and broke.

3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?

See 2.
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?

A lot of my friends already do.

5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?

I'm still a pedestrian and see 2.

6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

I voice my support while at home. I'm loud at least.

I do my best. I plan on being more supportive after I'm not so pedestrian.

[Knave]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?

No way! My team is DC United but I live in LA these days. I'd love to have season tickets at the HDC (where I could shout ridicule at Cobi Jones during every home game) but quite frankly they priced me out of the market. I'll go to games when DC is in town and maybe I'll take in a playoff game but that's it. Too expensive. And I'll go up to San Jose whenever DC plays there too.

2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?

Yes ... In fact I have it twice.

3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?

No. But I'd buy more MLS stuff if they offered better merchandise. I've been pining for a DC United coffee mug for years. And all their t-shirts are ugly. And how about a flag? Or anything that doesn't look like it belongs in an child's bedroom.

4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?

Yup. Particularly the PDL team I follow in Carson City, Nevada. And I might try to organize the west coast DC United supporters into something of an ex-pat supporters club. There's maybe a dozen of us and every year we seem to grow.

5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?

If they're on the West Coast I'll be there for DC United. I also intend to take in some away games for the Nevada Wonders next year but I wasn't able to manage that last year. I'd really like to see them play the Orange County PDL team as Juergen Klinsmann reportedly plays for them (by some accounts under a pseudonym).

6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

I was at the HDC last weekend supporting DC United and my voice is still hoarse from loudly casting aspersions about the reported size of Cobi's - shall we say - anatomy.

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!
I'm a terrible person. I answered no to one of the questions because I'm not willing to auction off the rights to my first born child in order to buy season tickets at HDC. I guess I might as well commit suicide as I'm clearly not helping soccer in the USA.

[voodoodiver]

All yes's except for #2. Cable company didn't offer the shootout to non-digital cable subscribers at the beginning of the season. Finally got switched over this month, but they won't prorate the package. Maybe I'm wrong because it costs MLS, but F*** the cable company and their sh!tty customer service. Man, when did I get principled?

I'm in next year.

[Tamalak]

Originally posted by dcrpoop
1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!

1. No. Though I do attend my local PDL team's games when I can.

2. YES

3. I buy mostly MLS gear and U.S. Nat. Team gear. It all depends what looks cool. I also have PDL merchandise.

4. I coach high school guys & girls - we attend a PDL match or two in our area, along with a college game or two in the fall.

5. I used to, when I was single!

6. Usually.

The key is for anyone in a position to influence kids, like me being a high school coach, to not just play the game, but turn them into fans of the game. When I took over the program 2 years ago, 2 or 3 guys on the team were aware of the MLS, but couldn't tell me the teams. Now, they follow it, catch a game on TV, and go on-line to check things out, cause our local papers only post the standings - no stories.

[Tamalak]

Originally posted by voodoodiver
All yes's except for #2. Cable company didn't offer the shootout to non-digital cable subscribers at the beginning of the season. Finally got switched over this month, but they won't prorate the package. Maybe I'm wrong because it costs MLS, but F*** the cable company and their sh!tty customer service. Man, when did I get principled?

I'm in next year.

DirectTV, baby!

Disable the Cable!

In my town
my DirecTV is $54.95 / month

Digital Cable is $69.99 / month
for the same "package" I get with DirecTV & the cable guy does not offer Fox Sports World.

[Dr. Wankler]

1) No, since the nearest MLS teams are 8-hour roundtrip drives from my house. However, I only missed four Fire home matches from the start-up of the team until I moved away from Chicago in August of 2000, and I've managed to see them at least once (if not 4 or 5 times) each year since then.

2) Yes.

3) Well, I buy food every week, which is non-MLS merchandise, so I guess the answer is no. Whenever I buy bottled water, though, I choose Aquafina.

4) I've taken at least a dozen people to Riverhound A-League matches. EDIT: it's 17, actually

5) No. The money isn't there. I will gladly accept your donations, however.

6) I find that sitting on my hands makes them fall asleep. The diminished circulation of the blood consequently makes them even colder than they would be otherwise. For this reason, I go the old school route and sit on my ass.

Originally posted by a self-righteous Metro fan
If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!

If I'm a problem to MLS, the league is in trouble.

Ahhh, if only I used my power for good instead of evil.

[GAranger654]

when atlanta gets a team...then i will become the biggest fan in MLS history!

[nicodemus]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
Yes, a top 10 college soccer program is the highest level of soccer in my city, I go to all the games. In the past year I have been to one A-League game and one MLS game.
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
No, I don't even have cable.
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
No. I have a bunch of Fire gear and then some general MLS league gear.
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
Yes. I've even talked a New Yorker friend into going to see the Metros (gasp!)
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
I've seen four US games in four states this year.
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?) I usually can't talk for 2 or 3 days after a US game.

[greenbill]

1) No, I go to a DCU game about once a year...I'm 2hrs away, but I watch or tape every match. I will be getting season tickets for the new USL team in Harrisburg, PA
2) No...live in an apartment. Will probably when I get a house someday.
3) Yes, I've started to do this...only DCU and MLS stuff.
4) Not really.
5) Saw DCU at Foxboro 1 time.
6) Yes.

I think that the important ones here are 1, 3, and 4. Improving attendance, tv ratings, cashflow, and attracting new fans.

I've been a lazy fan for the past few years...I'm gonna change.

[greenbill]

Oh...and...U R poop

[GloryGloryManUnited]

Originally posted by dcrpoop
1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!

1) No,I live in Louisiana and soccer is not big here at all. I do support the Dallas Burn though
2) No,it's not availible on digital cable
3) Yep
4) Yep
5) No (I'm broke :( )
6) Never been to an MLS game

[TheMutts]

Originally posted by GAranger654
when atlanta gets a team...then i will become the biggest fan in MLS history!

why dont you just be the #1 in the A-League?

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
Yes. Even if I dont get season tickets I go to every game.

2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
Yep, and I love it

3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
i dont know. I like some DCU shirts on their site and in Eurosport and maybe I will buy some once i get enough money.

4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
defintly, have taken tons of people to Riverhound games, and have talked people into going to USA games and then driving them there.

5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
defintly, bring on the WCQ!!! I have been to Rochester, and Toronto for Riverhound games. and went to DC for 2 DCU games.

6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)
There is no other way. Cant even watch a match on tv and not hurt my voice.

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!
Sweet, I am not a problem!

[Drum'r Boy]

Originally posted by dcrpoop
1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)

If you answer no to any of these, you are the problem!

Yes to all but 2 and 3 - I think you have 3 worded backwards.... The shootout isn't available where I live (I've tried for three years to get it - been signed up for the NHL package twice by accident in the process.)

Of all of these, I think one and six are the most important. They are the ones that directly effect the strength of the local team.

I am also not 100% comfortable with calling someone out as "the problem." I don't have a problem saying, "then you're not helping."

Fact is, though, that until we are looking at 20K a game, with 1K of those (at least) in various supporters groups making noise (either all in one group if possible or in multiple groups like in LA, Dallas, etc.) there is work to be done.

At the same time, I would recommend patience for those truly hard-core about all this. Why? Because it isn't going to happen overnight, and I would hate for those with whom the fire burns the brightest to flame out before we reach our goals.

[captdf]

1)Are you a season ticket for the team (MLS or lower leagues) in your market?
Just got a new job here in the OC, so don't have the cash to pony up for season tix at HDC. Maybe in a few years.

2)Do you have the MLS shootout package?
Not available on the cable at my apartment and b/c of the way my apartment faces I can't get direct TV.

3)Are you buying non MLS merchandise over MLS merchandise?
I've got both. I buy equal amounts of MLS stuff and Chelsea or UCLA stuff.

4)Are you influencing others to buy/ support MLS or lower division in the US?
I try to take friends/family/coworkers to MLS/USMNT matches whenever I can. Convinced 3 guys from work to go to MLS Cup with me on Sunday.

5) Are you traveling to support your club and country when they compete?
I go to USMNT whenever they are local, and have also occasionally travelled to see them.

6) Are you voicing your support for your club/country at games? (or are sitting on your hands?)
If cheer for club/country, and when I'm watching other teams, I'll at least be cheering against the team on the pitch I hate the most.

I don't think the people here on these boards are the problem. The fact that we're reading and posting this stuff shows our interest in the sport. The key is trying to convince everyone else to play and support soccer. I'm preaching to the choir here, so I'll shut it.