HALF EMPTY New York Post Brian Lewis http://www.nypost.com/sports/40475.htm "In hindsight the ideal situation would've been to join forces; not have the same investors, but learn from each other, build the sport together," Foudy said. "From the beginning from both sides there was an attitude of competition. I don't point the blame at them; I think we're probably the ones [at fault]."
My my my my my... as the Good Book says: Pride goeth before a fall. Oh, how so true that is. Seriously, MLS' involvement would be the best thing for women's soccer, hell soccer in general. Two teams per city can be a far greater influence on getting soccer specific stadiums than one. I can only hope MLS gets over the way they were burned and saves WUSA.
Is an admission of error enough? No burning at the stake needed? Ah, Julie, what a stand-up gal you are to admit mistakes. I have more respect for the founders now than i did when they started their league. Uncle Phil, ride to the rescue of these classy ladies, please!
"It takes time...The MLS is drawing great and we've got more SSS, which is what we need." (emphasis mine)
Julie's smart. She sees that the mainstream media (and sponsors, I would imagine) have bigger issues with soccer than with womens' sports. She's talking up the health of soccer, because she know's that's the weakest link.
Calling all those guys who filled page after page after page of BigSoccer threads with defenses of Julie Foudy, swearing they had JUST NO IDEA AT ALL that she treated this as competition between the leagues: "In hindsight the ideal situation would've been to join forces; not have the same investors, but learn from each other, build the sport together," Foudy said. "From the beginning from both sides there was an attitude of competition. I don't point the blame at them; I think we're probably the ones [at fault]." Crow is being served ion the dining car, although I doubt many of you will show up.
I'll say what I always said on those threads: "So what?" In other words, who cares what she said? It's not like it hurt MLS, did it? All it did was caused a bunch of guys to get their shorts in a bunch and whine in a way that would embarrass the hell out of the average PTH. I was always mocking those shrill, hysterical voices that criticized her for being shrill and hysterical. And here you all are again. Personally, I never watched a WUSA game. But that doesn't mean the demise of their league is something to gloat over. But I hope your penises grow back now that Foudy "repented."
I think this admission pretty much confirms the infamous "piggyback" quote. Or if piggyback wasnt the exact quote it was the same sort of attitude. They have nobody to blame but themselves for their arrogance. This is like the equivalent of Bush having to go back to the UN for help.
I've never really had a big bug up my keister about this stuff one way or the other. I'm not a fan of WUSA, but I'm certainly not anti... Put it this way, I went out of my way to use my partial season tickets to try and hit the doubleheaders and catch the Freedom. I have a daughter and hope that WNBA and WUSA are around when she's old enough to start paying attention. All that said, while I think Dr. W has a valid point about BigSoccer male inferiority complexes, I will say that I had a pretty tough time ignoring the fairly obvious competitive attitude towards MLS. Some of the comments made during WWC99 and in the start-up phase of WUSA were pretty much to the effect: "We don't need the men. We're more popular than the men. We're the best in the world, while they struggle just to get into the WC..." A lot of that was media's doing, but it sure was hard to ignore. (and equally hard to stomach). Again, I want a WUSA. I just hope that it comes back a little more humble and more willing to advance the sport, not just the "I am Woman, hear me roar" angle.
The difference being that Julie is hoping MLS will throw in with her. Bush is praying, with good reason, that the UN doesn't.
For the record: It was Chastain speaking on a FIFA proposal to move the women's world cup up a year to coincide w/ the men's WC
There was another "piggyback" quote in an article written by ESPN The Magazine's Jeff Bradley: "We don't want MLS piggybacking on our (WUSA's) attendances." Though Bradley didn't attribute the quote to anyone in particular other than "a prominent member of the US Women's National Team", I have it on good authority that BOTH Foudy and Brandi said the same thing to multiple reporters. If Phil Anschutz is to start "WMLS" sometime in the future, you can bet that neither Foudy nor Brandi will be involved in any way, shape, or form. Power brokers including Alan R. and Sunil will make sure that neither Foudy nor Brandi will have anything to do with the new business.
Why? Because it is more "seemly" for the women to be humble? Because Foudy should have considered the egos she might be bruising before speaking or taking a step? That might have been prudent, given our culture and (especially) our current bizarre and regressive regime. But I applaud her for the leadership she has taken on this and on other fronts. I imagine that her Title IX stance has upset a few posters here, too. Pretty unhumble behavior, Jules! You go girl!
No, because their business model predicted a 10% increase in attendance every year for the first seven years. Because they didn't spend within their means. Because they assumed corporations would dole out sponsorship dollars to further their "cause." The next iteration of WUSA needs to be more realistic in its approach.
Who cares who is humble before whom! We're not talking about the NFL, MLB or the NBA. Soccer is still a niche sport in this country. The two have to cooperate and work together in order to survive. For cryin' out loud!
Understatement of the year. If thinking the league folded simply because it was a women's league gets you through the night, then I won't stop you. Don't go on a PC wacko streak when you hear "humble". The MLS is doing relatively well because it is much more "humble" than the NASL. The next women's league should take notes.