I think this conversation can be had during the entire season, we will know at the end who was right. I for one hope we get as close to sell out as possible, is it likely ? No. Could we hope to average upwards of 8K, I think so. Anyway by 10/20 we should know the final numbers.
Cosmos offering soccer clinics for Queens kids — but it's just a ploy to get support for stadium, critics say Skills classes will start next weekend. Lawmaker calls it 'crumbs' compared to what team needs to do to gain support for field. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...s-queens-kids-article-1.1438521#ixzz2dcGQ86BD
So basically he just wants a community center and to make Belmont a year round stop? I'm not sure what the Cosmos can do about the year round stop part (certainly the added attraction of the stadium can't hurt), but wouldn't a community center be a rounding error in this project? If so, I say do it and name the damn thing after him for good measure if it helps get things done. If they were to finance his community center and see what they can do about the other will he throw his support their way?
I wouldn't write the Cosmos off completely from getting an average attendance of 25,000 when the new stadium needs gets built. They would need to build the best squad in North America to do it, but it can be done. If the team is really ambitious and builds a squad to the level of FC Porto (just an example) quality, the Cosmos would most definitely pack a 25,000 arena despite playing in the NASL. I don't know if they'll go that route but it definitely is something to consider.
It is a risk they could take. Soccer-savvy individuals (euro-snobs some may call) will recognize what kind of team the Cosmos have and support it. I don't know if that type of crowd exists in New York (I imagine it does) but it's an interesting thought.
How are you going to attract a squad of players at the level of Porto to play in the second division in the United States? We shall see what happens with the stadium. I think 25,000 is a little too big for teams in the US 2nd division. The team is getting good crowds, but nowhere near that size.
Yeah, but the stadium will be a destination in itself. If they can attract one or two high profile players when the stadium is about to open, the Cosmos can potentially pack the place.
Your not going to pay for 1 or 2 top players to play in the 2nd division of the US. We need to get past this. Senna is nice and he is a classy player, but he is not the type that is going to get you greater attendance.
I mean more upcoming top talent. If the Cosmos can bring in some up and coming South American talent that raises the quality of the team, the team can position themselves in a unique position.
But there's a difference between playing for a Champions league side and a team in the American second division.
There are plenty of players in the world who are good enough for the Cosmos to bring in and help them make an Open Cup run. The real question is how would the Cosmos afford it in any sustainable way as a D2 team.
Yes, you are right, CCL is not the same prestige level that UEFA CL (UCL) is. But then again, what is? Nothing. UCL is the top event in the world. You could even argue that it tops the World Cup. The issue is, just because it does not match the same level as UCL, which nothing else does, that it should not be ignored. We have a real issue here in america about ignoring other tournaments outside the domestic cup they belong to. It is a crying shame how the US Open Cup is practically ignored, even many of the MLS teams treating it as an afterthought. For NASL, the Open Cup is a very important competition. First off, it is the only chance to truly gauge themselves with MLS (aka D1). Second, it is the only window of opportunity to enter the CCL and the only chance for international competition outside of friendlies. And while winning the CCL is a far distant dream, even for MLS at this point, winning the CCL gets you into the FIFA Club World Cup. While the Club World Cup is relatively new, this a big deal competition. If the Cosmos really did walk the walk that they talked, then they will be having their eyes on the US Open Cup. The Open Cup begat CCL which begat FIFA Club World Cup. Is it sustainable for a D2 club? No, not in the long term, but you could do a big cash splash for a 3-4 year period to get you to the big game. If they truly do have rich oil sheiks owners, this is pocket change to have the Cosmos as a club in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Whoa, I never said you should ignore the CCL. I just said you're not going to attract top young players away from clubs like Porto. But, the CCL isn't prestigious. It's not a selling point for players.
I know you were not saying to ignore it, I was just speaking about the average american fan being ignorant of the importance of games outside their domestic cup race. I will argue with you that winning something like the CCL, while not the UCL, will draw more players to the club. Winners draw interest, not only from the fans but the people that play the game. Players want a chance to play on the big stage. The advantage for players to hook up with a team like the Cosmos is that they can then, potentially, show off their skills to a world audience that could draw interest to big world clubs like PSG, Madrid, Man U, etc etc. On the flip side, if the Cosmos really does pursuit the FIFA Club World Cup goal, which would explain why they want to build a 25k seat stadium right off the bat, then there are a lot of advantages for a player to sign up with the Cosmos outside of payroll. First, they get to live in NYC; they are playing on a championship level club; potential endorsement deals that come with playing on a winning club can compensate for a smaller pay check. Personally, I think their best bet is going gonzo in a Cosmos Academy. While a lot of us in Big Soccer think they are overblowing the power of their brand, the Cosmos name does have staying power internationally. If the Cosmos can get the US Open Cup and a solid showing in the CCL, then they could get heavy draw in young players. The further they go internationally the more they can draw into their Academy. That, potentially, gives them a stream of players that they can control (aka good players for cheap) which potentially another source of revenue (loans and transfer fees). Of course, none of this is any kind of guarantee, but it certainly is a blueprint that many of the big world clubs follow.
Every club wants to be the best. Every single one of them want to be on top one day. There is only one true mountain top in terms of solidified recognition and it is the FIFA Club World Cup. No MLS team has won the title before. Whichever team from MLS or the NASL or even the USL Pro that makes it there and win will certainly feel complete or above the rest. It is a feat that not many can achieve. And it is a game changer. Regardless of what perception anyone can have about the CONCACAF Champions League, it is the avenue which every club that wants to get to the top must be able to take. With each year passing, the event is growing in value that the clubs and fans give it. The US Open Cup is also gaining strength and soon it will be truly recognized as the grand prize it deserves to be in the states. Let's not diminish possibilities or sweep things under the rug or devalue a potential or believe that things are "impossible". Many nay sayers believed almost two decades ago that the MLS was going to only last at most two years. And here we are today. Time is ever passing, and soccer is ever growing in the states and in Canada. It is a great moment to be a part of during this era. By 2020, soccer will be one of the biggest sports of this country. And the NY Cosmos are betting on all of this.
All they really need to do is pack the stadium and get a decent TV deal. I think people are too caught up in the fact they play in a "D2" league. It doesn't really matter as long as they find their audience. Not Porto. Like Porto, The Cosmos would lure them away from south American sides.
I think the CCL and beyond is tied into the stadium plan they released. Let's face it, if their focus was just on NASL and the Soccer Bowl, then they'd be looking at a 8k-ish stadium. To build a 25k seater for D2 and the occasional USMNT qualifier is senseless. I think we will start to see the Cosmos' plans after the Soccer Bowl this year. They could not get organized fast enough to qualify for the 2013 Open Cup, but now with a 1/2 season under their belt (and a possible Soccer Bowl win to boot) we'll see if they start to open the checkbook to make that Open Cup run. They'll need to win the Open Cup to get to the CCL and the CCL requires certain specifications in regards to stadiums in order to play in the CCL. So the 25k seater fits with an ambitious goal of getting into the CCL very quickly.
Agreed... In the spirit of that the below link shows not just the proposed NYC stadium but also all other future stadiums. I will definately be glad when the New York City elections are over. When the smoke clears we'll see some movement on this project as well as the NYCFC project as well. http://www.stadiumguide.com/new-york-cosmos-stadium/