I don't know how many of you watched the Superdraft, but after Chivas made its first pick, Alexi Lalas said maybe the smartest thing I've ever heard. He said that Chivas management has told Robin Fraser to just win. Don't worry about where you're players are from just win. But the team has no identity. No style of play. He actually said Chivas should have taken to time to rebrand in the off season. He even told them they should have bought the Hollywood United name and rebranded to that. I couldn't hardly believe hearing what he said, but he's right. So what do you think. Was this off season the perfect time for Chivas to rebrand? Should they go with something like Hollywood United? Would a rebrand help them have an identity on and off the pitch?
If Chivas start winning and developing their own style of play, then the support will show under the current Chivas USA "identity". It always seemed to me that their is a small but loyal fan base there. It would grow tremendously with success. I guess winning would do that to any team really, but I can definitely see it with CUSA, especially gaining support with the mexican\latin fans. I'm sure they are there, they just need a reason to show up.
Everything I've been seeing Front Office changes, Fraser as the Coach. The attitude is" win baby win "and indentity will find it's way
I totally agree with Alexi, they should buy the rights to "Hollywood United" which I beleive is available would be awesome. <script src='http://img822.imageshack.us/shareable/?i=hollywoodunitedfc.jpg&p=tl' type='text/javascript'></script><noscript></noscript>
What, you mean like the success they had from 2007-2009? Hell, in 2007, they finished only two points short of the Supporters Shield. Chivas USA has had success. They have been a winning team. It has changed exactly squat. Winning alone doesn't build a fanbase. Fans have to identify with the team, and there is very little in the "Chivas USA" identity to identify with, very little to say "this team belongs to you". ------RM
I have a feeling the people at Hollywood United, who have been around for nearly 20 years, have a successful PDL team, a celebrity team, a recognized global brand, and are planning to go to USL Pro next season, might have something to say about it.
I am shocked, SHOCKED! that a guy with no day job who needs all the clicks even this humble thread might generate in this crappy job market could have possibly, even faintly conceivably, said something provocative. As a man in even less advantageous position than he, I say more power to him. As to the actual merits, sure, I suppose. Different discussion entirely than the draft, but who am I to begrudge a grasp at straws?
Yeah because buying an existing name gets them away from their current lack of originality by leaps and bounds. That's sarcasm in case anyone is wondering.
I think Lalas might be on to something, but "Hollywood United" is a silly idea. Let the AmeriGoats stay where they are until some city that wants a MLS club but doesn't want to deal with the expansion process wants to build them a home. They will be fine becoming the San Diego Sockers, the Phoenix Firebirds, or even the new DC United. If the C-USA owners decide to truly embrace Los Angeles, they could easily rebrand into Anaheim, Orange County, or LA2. Until the owners decide where they want to go, or if they want to commit or sell, there is no real need to rush into anything at this point.
At a time when the NASL was drawing good attendance in a number of places, but not Los Angeles. Nope, their two years above 10,000 were after Best left.
So wait, let me get this straight, some of you people think that an off-handed comment from a man that, as a GM, has helped run not one, not two, but three (THREE!!!!) MLS franchises into the ground, is a solid idea and that he knows what the heck he's talking about when it comes to successful sports business management? Yeah, "Alexi Lalas said it's a good idea" sounds like a wonderful marketing plan... Oh and by the way, let's not forget that Lalas frequently plays for the Hollywood United celebrity team, so I'm sure he doesn't really care one way or the other about Chivas, he was most likely just looking for a way to name drop H.U.