US Soccer Supporters Club Frustrations

Discussion in 'USA Men: Fans & Travel' started by RoleModel83, Mar 1, 2013.

  1. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Ok, quick update from the Fan Council...(your loyal representative).

    1) That members email last night was pretty interesting...definitely didn't expect that it was a jersey announcement..but now i'm surprised that i was surprised. They don't shy away from commercializing their products. I did like that they put in a big plug for the membership group.

    2) AGM in Scottsdale was pretty cool, as always. We sat down with Carlos, Jay, and Mike Flynn to discuss issues and concerns about the fans, tickets, stadiums, etc. As easy as it is to lob bombs at USSF from a distance, they have been nothing but open, forthright, and very very transparent with us. Personally, they've won me over for that alone. Earnie and Gregg and the Athletes Council were milling around the hotel, very approachable.

    3) Upcoming membership changes will be announced in the upcoming weeks/months. Personally, I really like them (but as with anything there will be some pros/cons). Can't divulge too much in random public forum like this but here's a few basics (please don't out me):
    a) Three membership levels (now we just have the one). Free, about the same, and premium. The levels will allow you access to certain things (events, field access, pre-game lounge, discounts, etc).
    b) current tiers gold/silver/etc will be replaced by this new structure.
    c) tix: like now, multiple presale windows. The 3 groups will each have their own presale slots. For WC draw (and big game draws) each of the 3 levels will have their own pots.
    d) caps: if you have X caps then you'll get put in better pot. This is to reward loyalty/caps rather than cost levels of membership. It's fair, imo.
    e) points: they'll add a points program (like airline miles and badges). They don't really mean much from a ranking perspective, but the points can be cashed in for events/access/discounts. You can earn points by buying things, attending games, etc.

    4) website/portal: look for this to launch pretty soon. (finally). It will have lots of flashy content and stuff, but looking forward to the member portal. You'll see status, point level, upcoming games, etc..

    Ticket Prices: always a hot topic. They will have continue to have high prices for premium games. To their credit the recent games and upcoming friendlies have ~$30-40 seats avail. Honestly that's more than fair in my opinion. If you want a better seat then it will be expensive.

    Gold Cup, they have no say in stadium selection, dates, or ticket prices.

    Ok, that's it for now. Most all their focus is on the WWC this summer (and rightfully so).
     
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  2. Real Corona

    Real Corona Member+

    Jan 19, 2008
    Colorado
    Club:
    FC Metalist Kharkiv
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank you for the update secret person who I most definitely do not know.
     
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  3. Semblance17

    Semblance17 Member+

    United States
    Apr 27, 2013
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I foolishly got my hopes up when I saw that email. Starting thinking they might host an online Q&A session with a player or something, and my anticipation built all morning. Then then the email finally came in and what was it? Here, we're giving you a chance to spend more money!!!!

    The worst part:
    • Jerseys will be available in women, men, and youth sizes
    • At this time, ONLY the women’s cut jerseys will have three stars over the crest
     
  4. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    US Insiders is the new name of the members group. FYI, will be launched soon.
     
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  5. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    You'll see big changes to the program in the next few weeks (and teaser email went out yesterday).

    - Renaming to "Insiders"
    - 3 tiers (free, a little less than current, and much higher than current)
    - each has it's own benefits and rewards.
    - new website with member portal to view status, upgrades, rewards, etc.

    that's about it for now. Lots of Gold Cup, WWC, and Nations League stuff discussed. Good times. (i think..)
     
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  6. Eddie Stiel

    Eddie Stiel Member

    Sep 27, 2011
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Maybe I should have waited to renew until closer to next month's expiration date in order to get the "little less than current" price. Ha. Ha.
     
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  7. Semblance17

    Semblance17 Member+

    United States
    Apr 27, 2013
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why do I sense that the "little less than current" priced membership might entail "lot less than current" benefits? I'm positive the "free" tier benefits will be a complete joke, but I'm not sure the next tier will be too much better.

    Anyway, I've been told the 2019 member scarfs should be going out on May 3rd, I suppose to coincide with the re-launch.
     
  8. Eddie Stiel

    Eddie Stiel Member

    Sep 27, 2011
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Thanks for the scarf distribution info. One of the reasons I renewed almost a month early after being reminded by the teaser email is to get the 2019 scarf in time for the May 12th WNT vs. South Africa match at Levi's Stadium. I should have it in time if the May 3rd date is correct. It would have been nice for US Soccer to include that date in the renewal order confirmation email
     
  9. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Free will be super minimal benefits.

    Little less price will be around the same as current, so not bad. (Ticket/pregame access, WC ticket preferred pod, etc).

    A lot more price...well..you guessed it. Even more preferred benefits.

    Sorry to be vague...details will be made public soon.

    3 tiers let's them segment out benefits a bit more then with just 2. There's a new points system (think airline/hotel) that let's you cash in for non-ticketing benefits.

    Middle tier will be just fine for most people, and will be lower cost...
     
  10. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder

    Eddie, cant wait to see you in your new "insiders" scarf in Havana. :)
     
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  11. Eddie Stiel

    Eddie Stiel Member

    Sep 27, 2011
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Unfortunately, I have no family in Cuba, making a visit unlikely or permanent. Does the Football Association of Cuba have an "Insiders" progam? If not, I could become the charter member of the Personas Enteradas de la Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba.
     
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  12. hoys

    hoys Member

    Jan 2, 2017
    Virginia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  13. Semblance17

    Semblance17 Member+

    United States
    Apr 27, 2013
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Looks like one or two more tiers than previously anticipated here...

    Tempted to invest the savings from my aborted trip to NJ for the last pre-World Cup USWNT match into upgrading my membership.

    Also, still waiting for that scarf that was supposed to go our May 3rd [anybody else here get it?], but I believe the Supporters ClubInsiders rep who usually resolves my problems was planning on accompanying the USWNT to France [at least for part of the tournament], so I don't expect to hear back from her for a while.
     
  14. CMeszt

    CMeszt Member+

    Farewell Sweet Prince
    Jan 9, 2004
    Gentrification's Apex.
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    So basically the "premium" level is 5 bucks cheaper than the old Supporters Club thingy? Works for me.

    Is the app up and running? Apparently there's an app?

    Oh, and I was checking my email for my login info, and apparently I missed an invite from USSF to tour SoccerHouse... something I still haven't had a chance to do. :(
     
  15. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder

    Yep, added a family tier and then the Circle Membership (foundation) is being cross promoted here. Circle hasn’t changed much but they are making it look like it’s an ultra tier...which it always has been but never publicized as much.

    I went for the 185 level, figured will help get in good spot for Azteca and 2022 and 2026. Whatevs. Who knows how that will all play out.

    I will find out about the scarf for you...if you can, send me a PM with your email and I will try to light a fire.
     
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  16. Semblance17

    Semblance17 Member+

    United States
    Apr 27, 2013
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Interesting email that went out today introducing the new program.

    I'm sure I'm in the 0.000001% here, but not owning a smartphone, I'm going to need a workaround here.

    Screen Shot 2019-05-24 at 9.22.55 PM.png
    I'm missing two of fourteen caps [likely from this year, for this reason].

    Also who decided the sight pun of putting the word 'caps' in all caps was a good idea?
     
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  17. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Too funny. The CAPS thing totally drives me crazy as well.
     
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  18. CMeszt

    CMeszt Member+

    Farewell Sweet Prince
    Jan 9, 2004
    Gentrification's Apex.
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union

    The app isn't bad, but it REALLY doesn't want to accept my USSF password for some reason.
     
  19. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    so, what is the circle membership?
     
  20. CMeszt

    CMeszt Member+

    Farewell Sweet Prince
    Jan 9, 2004
    Gentrification's Apex.
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    So does anyone know if the location based caps thing actually works on the app?

    Need to know that anyone who was there gets their mark of shame.
     
  21. thethinwhiteduke

    Feb 13, 2008
    did not work for me. i was trying to get it to work but it didnt register
     
  22. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    agreed, I don't anyone to know that I was at the Jamaica game, yet alone the Cincy one :)

    I totally forgot to try the location/cap feature. If anyone had success let us know.
     
  23. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    Circle is part of US Soccer's Development Fund program. Only recently did they brand/bundle it with the Insider member program. This fund helps with some development programs through high $ fundraising. And by joining at >$500/year you get auto-access to the top Insider tier.

    http://developmentfund.ussoccer.com/circles-and-benefits
     
  24. Eddie Stiel

    Eddie Stiel Member

    Sep 27, 2011
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    About six to eight weeks ago, I inquired with Insider Support because I hadn't received a 2019 scarf. "They went out two weeks ago. Check back in a few weeks." Still no scarf. Asked again. No response. Waited a week and asked again with a copy to @wixson7.

    A few days later, I received a scarf. Then another one with a personalized thank you note a day or two later. Thanks again, @wixson7.

    Today, out of the blue, I received a third one.
     
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  25. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    I helped get you 3 scarfs. What a shit show. ;)

    Just doing my part to milk the fed out of getting your $45 dollars worth.
     
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