[josh242]

Originally Posted by NSL2004

IMHO the first thing they need to do is complete a season in the same venue. It's hard enough for people to find our games without being a moving target.

Also, continuity is something that is sorely lacking in the indoor world.

True - I am happy that the Bladium committed to the Dynamite for the year and vice-versa. The second half of last season for Denver was a nightmare with last minute and multiple schedule changes/venue changes. It would be nice to have the DSC as an option for future years however!

[josh242]

Originally Posted by GameraRPZ

BINGO! That is why you have such paltry crowds in St. Louis, Detroit, Cincy, Etc. I love indoor as much as anyone on here, but I am not driving the hour to the Metroplex or whatever they call it in Cleveland to watch the Vortex. Part of that is the quality of play (not knocking the players, but they are not MISL caliber), and the other is I am not going to watch a game sitting on bleachers (especially if the place smells like sweaty hockey pads as you say the Bladium does). I probably will catch a game in Canton just to have a few beers and relive some memories of the Invaders. Oh, and to buy Syd a donut.

I am exaggerating a bit about the hockey pads - the smell was worst around the locker rooms which unfortunately you have to walk past to get to the majority of the bleachers and the bar. At least there is a good and cheap selection of alcoholic drinks! I don't know what the setup is like in St Louis but they had a few decent crowds of around 1,000 last year. Detroit and Cincy could definitely do better. Louisville is now the gold standard in how to make the most out of your rec facility.

I agree that the players are not MISL caliber but I don't think anyone is expecting or claiming that. However I think they are still high quality. Denver basically took in the core of last years Lightning squad, morphing two teams into one, and they still look like they are in a lower position (at the moment) relative to last year. The league has improved greatly talent wise. With the addition of the Sockers, the Cougars being at a similar level, the Waza picking up Ex-Ignition players, a Texas team who had some bad luck last year and looks strong now, Cincy is still strong, St Louis would be if their top players traveled, Louisville looks like they will be contenders, etc.

[NSL2004]

I think all the teams are better than last year.

I'm not sure what to read into St. Louis's 7-5 win over Kansas City, though. I think they only beat them 5-3 last year.

San Diego had far less trouble with Las Vegas!