Check out www.operationjune1sellout.com and start inviting your friends to the next match. Yeah, it's a crazy goal, but who knows... it just might work.
I appreciate the effort, but what if I get someone new to come and we see a shit show like the last two weeks? I might lose them forever. We are not losing because we have too few fans in the seats. Don't get me wrong, I want the place filled up too, but filling it up now would tell the front office that this product is acceptable - it clearly is not.
DO remember the flip side. You do not know how "the Powers That Be" will interpret lower attendance. They can just as easily (especially at league HQ or at HSG/Dallas, where decisions are made) decide that it's the market that s*cks. Are you telling them the product is not acceptable or that soccer is not acceptable here? You may be trying to do the former, and I respect that, but I fear it's just as likely the latter message is heard, especially as the decision makers do not live here.
I won't clog up this discussion, merely provide a refresher https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/...3-edition-vol-1.1980380/page-32#post-27791040 If the powers that be think that this trend is not driving people away, and they are not aware of the cause of that trend, then I would be surprised.
I see your point. But they do not live here and I doubt that they read the boards (Garber's smart enough that he might get a summary report from a staffer who does read the boards--and I expect MM is too). As an MLS franchise becomes *more* valuable, lack of attendance, for whatever reason, gives TPTB the *excuse* to relocate. There is only one open spot left at this point with the league stating that 20 is the limit for the foreseeable future but more than one potential ownership group that looks good, and HSG is the only ownership team with more than one team now. We cannot afford to give them that excuse--unless you think that *no* soccer in Columbus is better than what we *do* have. Look, the Cubbies have been futile for a century--but they still out draw the White Sox (who have had more success in the past 10-20 years). We have first divison soccer here in small-market Columbus, so it behooves us to do what we can to keep it here--like the coach or not. Because if it leaves, we will not get it back in our lifetimes.
I am not saying we actively encourage people to stay away. I will be there in my seats. I just can't in good conscience actively recruit right now. It is like taking a person who has never had Mexican food to Taco Bell.
Selling points: - Come see the world famous exploding scoreboard - What last longer? The game, or the time to clear the parking lot from a sold out game? - Help welcome to Columbus our new head coach (insert name) - Come see the North End Diva - We aren't playing Toronto, so our fans should be safe - See the Crew Action Team for an authentic soccer experience - Come meet Crew Legend Duncan Oughton - Houston is good, so there should be a lot of action - Visit the local bars and restaurants before and after the game
And conversely, they could also see a huge crowd and say that the on-field product and coaching isn't affecting the crowds so we don't need to change anything. I am completely all for you guys trying to sell this out but I couldn't keep a straight face and ask my friends to come to games right now.
That's true--but in that case we would still at least *have* a team. And while I don't have the 2008 season to hand, I'd be willing to bet we had a bad streak *that* season too. I am not saying I am happy with the current play. I'm not. But we had a very long unbeaten streak, which is unusual too. I don't want us to be Buckeye fans either, for whom anything less than 13-0 is unacceptable. And if you will only invite folks when you have the expectaion of a good result--well, you just can't plan that, can you? In every league, *everyone* loses at home from time to time. Even the best teams sometimes lose badly at home (see Barca v Bayern, for example). What I'm saying we really have to support our team--and not worry about the message it may send--or we may not *have* a team to complain about. I can say to a person that they will get to see the top league in this country. I cannot promise them wins. At the end of the day, butts in seats (or standing in the Nordecke) is what it is all about for the owners.
As a die-hard, I will be at all of the games. But it's a bit delusional to think that an average fan or someone new to soccer will be jumping up and down for a chance to see this team play. Five point out of a possible 15 at home. Scoreboard catches fire Shut out twice in a row at home Almost all of our goals against the bottom teams in the league Weekly "issues" in the Nordecke I'm not hearing any rumors that this team is being moved so think that's a naive "excuse" to pack the stadium to the rafters. There is a cause and affect that goes on with attendance........we play well and have a good product.....people will come. If they see a team go through the motions and continually not get results, they won't come.
If we show some sign of life over the next few weeks, then yes, it will be easier to convince average/new fans.
Were it not for Chivas, we'd be more vunerable. But at some point you have to think the Hunts will want out. And we have played well at times in the past few years and not been rewarded with attendance. Of course the team has had a bad habit of stinking up the joint (and this was also true in the Sigi era) when a big crowd turns out.
Selling points - You get to see some players who are called up to their national teams. - See the other team owned by the people that brought you the LA Galaxy.
In my experience, it is not too difficult to convert people into fans even in bad seasons if they partake in the supporter section atmosphere and day activities.... Now rewind to a season or so ago, when we kicked off the season in dc and got hammered? I had a bunch of friends over to our house for that match... None of whom have mentioned anything Crew related since.
True story. I started going to Crew games September of 2010, and by April of 2011 I still hadn't seen them win in person. I loved the atmosphere of the Nordecke, and I kept going back. It's possible to become a fan, even during these dark times...
I traded my houston ticket so I could bring my family to the rapids game. sooooo, that was a decision well made.
Ouch. I sympathize. I was thankful that Mrs. KG did not go (but that was as much for the cold and smoke bomb).
I watched most of the Colorado game and thought the Crew were the better team but they were missing a spark. Maybe a full stadium would be the kick in the ass they need. Either way, hats off to Jericho.
I hear you... but man, I'm just getting tired. Over the years going to games regardless, getting friends to come out who then become season ticket holders... none of it has seemed to matter regarding the whole situation in this town. I'm to the point now after all this time where I would rather sit at home and watch the game than keep paying at least $30 just to be angry, or if it's cold and rainy and don't want to go in to work on Monday feeling terrible... the whole Save Columbus guilt trip just doesn't work anymore on me. I'll keep going to games. But I no longer feel like I have to keep bringing a larger and larger bucket to throw water out of this apparently sinking ship
At the end of the day, it's just a game. Why get *that* angry about it? Sometimes I think we expect too much out of our sports. If we're only happy when our team plays well/looks good, we'll be sorely disappointed almost all the time--no matter what team you root for. This is where the influence of tOSU on our market hurts.They expect 13-0 all the time--and get it often enough for reality not to set in. My perspective is different as I grew up in a town with the losingest team in MLB history. So I'm *thankful* when they play well. But I still love my Phillies if they don't. I'm not saying don't be passionate. That's part of the enjoyment. But leave the game result at the game. Sure, part of the fun of a fan is the Monday morning quarterbacking and grousing about the coach and losses and celebrating wins. But I'm not talking about that. Results shouldn't rule one's enjoyment of life. We lose two games at home in a row and you'd think the world was coming to an end. Try being my buddy's daughter who lost her boyfriend in that swimming accident. Now *that's* a tragedy. This ain't. I'm also not trying to guilt people into a "save Columbus" campaign--I just don't want to hear it from the grousers if this market fails. This depression about the team is silly too. Did we not win a Cup 5 years ago? Not every team can say that. Add to that, in 2008, remember we lost three in a row, all by shutout, and two of those at HOME--and that after tying Terrible FC 0-0. Same part of the season too (May-ish). And we ended up winning everything.
Whatevs. I'm with you, Matt (and KG). Already nabbed 2 to come along, and I haven't even been trying. Better get that mic ready. I think I'll call my segment, "Actresses I'd Like to Punch in the Face, from A-Z", starting with Anne Hathaway and ending with Zooey Deschanel.
They are both fine actresses with cute and quirky personas. Sign me up for the shoulder to cry on after you punch them. There there...