[wu-tang beez]

We can complain up a storm about ways to increase soccer awareness in this country, but unless we are willing to do our part, I think we should stop whining. Last weak while pondering our predicament, I realized that while grass roots movements are nice, there must be other solutions on how can I impact several thousand people a day. The US is 12% hispanic, yet they don't really watch MLS. MLS did a survey and nearly 50% of the respondents said they were soccer fans. We witnessed the ratings go thru the roof when ESPN and other major networks started paying attention to the USMNT in WC2k2. On avg though, most soccer fans don't tune in to our website or MLS matches.

I have an idea. Now bear w/ me pls. What if every Bigsoccer poster were to shoe polish in big bold white letters, "BIGSOCCER.COM" on the backs of their cars on Friday's and Saturday's? Think about it, some of you live in hispanic areas, some commute to college & highschool campuses, and most of us pass hundreds if not thousands of potential fans on the way to and fro work.

I think this is a way to improve viewers of both this site and soccer matches across the board on weekends. I'm willing to polish the Wu-Mobile next friday to coincide w/ the MLB strike day. Couldn't hurt.

We need to stop being elitist and encourage the masses to Join The Passion!

[Deimos]

Originally posted by wu-tang beez
....
I have an idea. Now bear w/ me pls. What if every Bigsoccer poster were to shoe polish in big bold white letters, "BIGSOCCER.COM" on the backs of their cars on Friday's and Saturday's?...
We need to stop being elitist and encourage the masses to Join The Passion!

And the next week, all these new fans will be saying:
"Do all soccer fans argue endlessly about nothing?"

[sidspaceman]

Why do hispanics have to support MLS? Does our passion not count because we don't support MLS?

[West Coast Thug]

You really can't blame the fans for not watching MLS. All the new fans that soccer gained after the WC probably sat down and watched one MLS game, compared to the WC, said this is crap, and turned it off. I bet quite a few of the MLS fans just watch it because there is such little soccer on tv in this country that its all that they have. To increase awareness, the major networks should start showing games from Europe and around the world where the games are of high quality. Instead of "MLS Soccer Saturday", ESPN should show an EPL soccer match for example. If you want to win fans, its gonna be hard to attract any with the MLS the only thing on basic cable.

[Ictar]

Actually, I'd wager if you stuck MLS games in a modern Europe style stadium it'd look much more attractive on TV. People who don't want to watch soccer aren't going to watch because of the EPL or some such.

People most likely were so excited about the US's run because it was the U.S. Patriotism. That sort of thing. I'm sure if we were doing that well in any semi-popular sport, especially one in which we usually* do pathetically but the whole world takes so seriously people would love it.

What people need is teams to root for. Hell, I love the MLS to death but I never know who to root for. I don't have a 'team'. But when I turn on something like the MLB I always go for the Rangers. That's my problem anyways. I'm not sure if it's other's problem.

*Supposedly and in the minds of a lot of people.

[SportBoy321]

Well baseball is going on strike people are fed up with it MLS should be right there to capitalize on this but their too far down the food chain to do so.

[SNUSA]

<QUOTE>What if every Bigsoccer poster were to shoe polish in big bold white letters, "BIGSOCCER.COM" on the backs of their cars on Friday's and Saturday's? </QUOTE>

That's a great way to support bigsoccer... but does nothing for the game, or for MLS.

[ignatz]

Originally posted by West Coast Thug
You really can't blame the fans for not watching MLS. All the new fans that soccer gained after the WC probably sat down and watched one MLS game, compared to the WC, said this is crap, and turned it off. I bet quite a few of the MLS fans just watch it because there is such little soccer on tv in this country that its all that they have. To increase awareness, the major networks should start showing games from Europe and around the world where the games are of high quality. Instead of "MLS Soccer Saturday", ESPN should show an EPL soccer match for example. If you want to win fans, its gonna be hard to attract any with the MLS the only thing on basic cable.

Professional soccer won't succeed in this country unless a domestic pro league succeeds. To say that MLS is "crap" is, IMHO, itself "crap." Certainly MLS is not at the level of the EPL or Serie A or the Bundesliga. But so what? It is good soccer, and getting better every year.

Minor league baseball is successful in this country, despite the presence of Major League baseball on TV. The same with grid ball and basketball below the NFL and NBA levels. I see no reason for soccer to be any different.

For that matter, there is plenty of European and S American soccer on TV. I can watch several games a day, primariliy on FSW, but also on a couple of other channels, and I often do. I also support my local team -- DC United. No conflict. I enjoy the EPL and MLS. Neither is "crap" in my view.

[Kaiser]

That's a good idea I think. Make a statement that tells people that I'm fed up with basebal and t6hat you'll be watching soccer. Or that you don't need the world seri]es when we got NLS Cup. I'm thinking of making up some t-shirts. Good thing I own a screen printing shop ;^}

[nicodemus]

The best thing to do is take someone to a game when possible, or at least sit with them watching it on TV and explain it to them.

Regarding all of the MLS talk there are a few things people just don't seem to understand:

1) Eventhough the average MLS player isn't as good as the average EPL, Serie A, La Liga, or Bundesliga player it doesn't matter because there is some fine talent in MLS.

2) The pace of the game is slower not because they are bad, but because it is 10,000 degress during the summertime. No way David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Shevchenko, Davids, Zidane or anyone else could go as fast in MLS as they do in the Euro leagues.

3) The more SSS that are built the better it will get. I work in entertainment and its is better to have 250 people in a room that holds 300 people than 500 in a room that holds 2,000. People's minds think that when something is full (or close to full) that it is better for some reason. That's probably why it has taken off more in Columbus than other places...the psychology of it all.