Anyone else's jaw drop.... ...at just 31,000 for US-Nigeria in a city where the last national team game within its limits was in 1968? And why so few? A lot of folks on the Charge board were thinking about 50,000 or so. Can't blame the weather; but the fact there were no local players on the NT may have made a difference (specifically, Fair and Mitts being snubbed by Heinrichs, who didn't exactly get the warmest reception from the Lincoln Financial Field crowd in warmpus; no boos, but hardly any cheers, either). Thoughts? Paul
"Can't blame the weather; but the fact there were no local players on the NT may have made a difference " Well, it didn't make a difference for me. I would have seen them anyway.
Ditto, but I'm suggesting that *may* have been the reason why a lot didn't opt to attend. The question now is this; El Gato, for example, posted on the Charge board that Philly hurt itself in possibly hosting a WNT game down the road; have we shot ourselves in the foot? Dennis, what's your .02 on why we didn't have more folks? Paul
"El Gato, for example, posted on the Charge board that Philly hurt itself in possibly hosting a WNT game down the road; have we shot ourselves in the foot?" Perhaps. The field didn't look too great and there were other problems with what you could bring or not bring to the stadium. But the fans that were there were great. So let's hope the National teams come because MLS won't be knocking around any time soon.
I was rather unimpressed with the amount of non-Inquirer coverage. Specifically, WPVI treated it like it almost didn't exist. And considering that their local news is the most watched program in the Philadelphia metro area, that's got some influence. Get out of Jeff Lurie's bed, Gary Papa.
Yeah, I was going to note that. I didn't see much. 2 stories on ABC's World News Tonight this evening.
Jeff Lurie's team is about 60 minutes away from becoming irrelevant for the next quarter of a year on Sunday. I'll be watching US-North Korea instead. Paul PS: DCA, do you think the lack of Fair and Mitts contributed to the lackluster attendance as well? Maybe YoMitts was right. The best way to register dissatisfaction with something is not to buy into the product.
No. I don't think anyone really cares that much. I don't even think you care that much. If anything, it was a case of "there's no local player we can promote" instead of "don't come since there's no local player." If USA Hockey was playing at the Wachovia Center and for some godforsaken reason didn't bring Jeremy Roenick along what would happen?
I did care; I went anyway. Maybe more people did care, but decided to stay home. I can't explain why the turnout was that poor. Not for the life of me. Another query; why bench Pearce? All Heinrichs did there was say F-U to the Philly fans who pined for Heather and Lorrie, and killed two birds with one stone by putting the one who aced Mitts out of the final defense spot, and wearing Fair's uniform number to boot. At this moment, I'm convinced that's the only reason why Bivens started in Philly. If she starts Sunday, then I'll come back on here and say I was wrong. I'll predict here and now Bivens doesn't start another game for the remainder of the Cup. She'll come off the bench. Even Soccer America was a bit floored by the decision. Paul
You're saying that April decided her starting line up for a pivotal World Cup match to spite the home town crowd? Please tell me you're joking.
Not showing up because Fair and Mitts weren't included - that's garbage. 31K isn't bad for a Thursday night - but it is disappointing. Especially given that we expected 50K. Does this mean that Philly shouldn't get any more games, either?
The fact that it was a thurday night hurt as i have said before Apirl pick for this team will hurt.Even espn and abc have seen the light.
To Paul, WNT didn't hurt Philly, nor the attendance, the Phiily Stadium owners did, because in their hearts they probably dis-like soccer. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/6872032.htm
I had the pleasure of being there. 31,000 was disappointing after '99's mega-successes. But, this tournament has received virtually no coverage, and the game took place on a school night during the heat of baseball and football seasons. All said, it was not a terrible crowd size-wise. I was disappointed that where I was sitting there were not more rabid and knowledgeable fans. This is a special team and I would have expected its fans to be arguing over who should start. Most fans near where I was had no clue. Heck, the most passionate fans were the Nigerian contingent - and they had nothing to cheer all night long.