I heard an interview where USL president Jake Edwards said that the goal for USL-C was to be recogonized as one of the strongest 2nd division leagues in the world. If that's a true goal and not just PR, then having an average of 400 people show up for SPR matches in a stadium that holds 19,000 is not a good look. I suspect that USL-C, now that it is up to 36 clubs and is in no imminent danger of collapse, might pressure SKC to "relegate" SPR to USL-1. I don't know if that is Peter Vermes' call or Robb Heineman's, the CEO of Sporting Club. It's hard to see a downside. Their first year SPR averaged 2400 per match. Now, they are averaging 400. SKC built the fields at Swope in partnership with the city. Would they even have to pay rent to use their own fields? If there is some cost, it wouldn't seem to be very much.
It has an effect on the table, though. When the Defiance started six Sounders against the Republic or whatever, and all the other teams in West have an easy 3 points because "development", that affects playoff position. I've said this before, but people wanting the reserves sides to drop to L1 telegraphs people's perception of that league (and my guess is that they don't live near one of the independent teams).
The other problem is that; if the team sucks on the pitch, it doesn't matter about the attendance. Selling people on reserve squads has always been a hard sell as it is, but selling people on a reserve squad that has only won one match this season might as well be begging for 10 cent beer promotions (and we know how that turned out...).
"10 cent beer night" cracked me up. And then when I notice Homer Simpson in your avatar, I pictured SPR's kit with "Duff Beer" as the sponsor, and I laughed some more.
Wouldn’t shock me. What is shocking to me as a Quakes fan is I now have to begrudgingly like Baby Judas for bringing soccer to my now home town.
#36 SPR draws with #16 Charleston 1-1. OK. That's a point. Still in last place. But now they're in last place by 1 point less, so there's that. (...wait... SPR's goalie got a red card in the 94th minute?)
SPR! SPR! This afternoon I deliberately focused my Marianne Williamson "fan energy" in the direction of Kansas City (honest, I really did!), and voila SPR beats mid-table St.Lou 2-1 in the I-70 Derby and leaves the USLC cellar. The 531 fans witnessed the game winner in the 82nd minute, and SPR played a man down for the last 7 minutes. Have the Rangers turned the corner? I'm anticipating a great 2nd half run in the last 18 matches to get into the playoffs. Eastern Conference leaders Tampa Bay come to KC next Sunday.
Ouch... There are literally dozens of us! Dozens! SPR v STLFC pic.twitter.com/bekqWvWevy— Stuart Hultgren (@StuartHultgren) June 30, 2019
SPR, which had 1 victory in their first 15 matches has picked up 2 wins in their last 3 matches ! They are 2-2-2 in their last 6 matches. They earned 9 points in their first 14 matches, and they have earned 8 points in their last 4 matches. Something's cooking in Swope Park.
The coach turned back into a scruffy old soccer ball for the Swope Park Cinderellas as they lose 0-4 to Ottawa. SPR managed only 1 shot on goal. Ottawa got the game winner at 39' off the foot of former Ranger Kevin Oliveira. SPR started their youngest lineup of the season; the starting XI averaged 20.2 years and later a 17 year old entered at 83'. SPR returns to the "Cavernous Confines" of CMP for mid-table Charleston next Saturday.
In terms of attendance, they are far behind the English championship and B2, somewhat behind La Segunda and slightly behind Serie B and Ligue 2, which was better than I thought. However, catching those other leagues is really about improving the top and middle teams. Teams 24 to 36 don't even show up in the European second divisions.
SPR's Saturday match against Charleston had to be postponed. The Battery got into some kind of vehicle accident before the match. Six players were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and then released. Not much information on the web beyond the 4 sentence USLC press release.
No one can complain about your play or your attendance if you don't play a game... https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/022/138/ollesafeee.jpg
I admit that I've been a little harsh on SPR. But I am officially on board now. I think things are coming together and they will have a better 2nd half of the season. Can they make the playoffs? I think they started too far in the hole to pull that off. But I am calling it now: SPR ~ USL-1 Champions 2020 !! PS. For the record: I'm not the guy who went into their "2019 Season" Wikipedia page and changed all the dates from "2019" to "2018". Somebody else apparently wants a re-do on the 2019 season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Swope_Park_Rangers_season
True, but as far as name recognition goes he’s not bad. The indoor San Diego Sockers signed him for the spring and pulled in their largest gates in a very long time. People still remember the good times when he played for the USMNT and they weren’t a joke.
Neil Morris has put up an article about Austin da Luz's career coming to end. U.S. soccer fans of a certain age will appreciate this gem contained in the article. If you don't get it, you don't get. https://www.wralsportsfan.com/soccer/image/18566411/
SPR update: My momentary euphoria when the Rangers won 2 of 3 has crashed on the rocks of 6 straight losses, during which they were outscored 18-4. Not only am I off the bandwagon, I have thrown myself under the wheels of the bandwagon. I study the standings and notice they are 0-10-2 away from the Cavernous Confines of CMP- that's the key! Next year it is crucial that they schedule no away games so that they might have chance! (Oh well.) But I stand by my prediction: SPR - USL1 Champions 2020 !!
Maybe. Wouldn’t hurt their marketing provided he’s still got it. Keep in mind they’re likely not taking the field for another year and a half, and Landry ain’t getting any younger.
NTSC is rocking League 1. I wonder if all the other teams agree they could be forcibly promoted to USLC for next season?