How will Cleveland MLS affect MISL's Force?

[BulaJacket]

Part of a larger Force article:
Unsure:

Schmetzer said he hasn't decided what the presence of a Major League Soccer team in Cleveland will mean to the Force. The MLS recently announced that an expansion team has been awarded to Cleveland.

"I don't really know if that will help or hurt us," Schmetzer said. "I don't think it will have a detrimental effect on our fan base so long as we have a good product and are fun to watch."

[Joe Stoker]

I tend to agree with the last part of Schmetzer's quote. I attended games of both the outdoor ASL Cobras and original MISL Force during their coexistence, and the general buying public leaned toward quality product. The purists stuck to the outdoor game, while the Force seemed to draw newbies and families/kiddies. Neither drew more than a few thousand at best in the late 70s.

It was a different atmosphere in each case. The Cobras was professional soccer with no bells or whistles... dignified if not entirely old-school. The Coliseum during a Force game was, to be kind, different. I was told it was Iris Wolstein's idea to crank earsplitting music during the very course of play. Whether or not you could appreciate the tunes, it gave indoor soccer IMO a roller-derby/pro-rassling/thunderball atmosphere. Kiddie appeal, although they don't buy the tickets or drive down.

Steering off on a tangent there, but to answer the question, from modest personal experience, I believe the majority of true soccer fans will always prefer outdoor when it's made available... but the general sports public will potentially support either or both as long as their run first-class, and with minimal season overlap.

And as long as The indoor Force does just that, they should be able to carry on quite well in the shadow of a major outdoor team. Just as long as they can survive on crowds of 5-9K at CSU.

[Crewmudgeon]

I can proudly say that I've never attended a Force/Crunch/Force game, and have no intention of ever doing so. Though I do know people who do and what I hear from them is that they see no conflict with MLS.

The question is, beyond the 5,000 or so loyal indoor supporters, how many soccer snobs (like me) are there in greater Cleveland who are waiting for an outdoor team?

As for the casual sports fan, if the folks I know and work with work in Cleveland are any inidication, they don't know the difference between MLS and MISL, and they don't care.

[Joe Stoker]

[i]As for the casual sports fan, if the folks I know and work with work in Cleveland are any inidication, they don't know the difference between MLS and MISL, and they don't care. [/B]

Yes Crew, kinda reminds me of the old roller derby... rabid loyalty of a few thousand at the old Arena on Euclid, total indifference beyond the main entrance. No knock against the old T-Birds or the current Force.

I plan on attending my first indoor game in about 11 years (since Canton folded) this Sunday... only because I'm getting together with old friends (I'll be the one in the Stoke City shirt). Otherwise, I'm waiting on the real (outdoor) thing. Could be a longer wait.