"In related news today, on it's first official day, Philly MLS has already passed San Jose in season ticket requests..." Couldn't resist.
Oh, you're the first person to post that. I've explained what that was about more than enough times but you're oblivious. Try finding anything in the Revolution forum that might be interpreted as support from me. You know, cause that is a natural place a Revs supporter would hang out. Fact is I support DC United and that is not going to change. While I supported the Sounders in USL I do not see my self getting behind the Seattle MLS team. I have placed a deposit for a season ticket to support the league in general and because I like to watch live soccer but I am pretty much set to support DC United. Use your brain: I'm from Pittsburgh (DC United country), I lived in Philly for much of my life (Not exactly a hotbed of Revs support) and I am not at all interested in supporting the new Philly team though I was passionate about the fact that they deserved one. I have been in Seattle a couple years but i still support DC. I have never lived anywhere near Boston and have not had any interest in New England. So stop this "you support 4 teams" nonsense. People move. Get over it. This is also the US where many people over time change allegiances. Mine have not changed since i signed up on big soccer. all you have is post with a typo cut and paste job cause i was on a computer with a non-western keyboard/encoding at my friends house.
I love the team's theme song very much. Who did that ? and is it available for down load to my iPod?...
okcomp - your concern is appreciated. But I'm not crucifying Nick for that yet. For better or worse he has to work with EPYSA. It's great to fill 1500 seats with SoBs, but there are another 17000 seats to fill. Youth soccer is a logical place to start. Especially if one feels (like I do) that MLS teams should be running the best youth teams in the area. Sooner or later FCDelco and Philadelphia Soccer Club will have to face up to losing their best prospects to PhillyMLS' youth program. Nor does PhillyMLS want clubs like FC Delco to become so threatened they badmouth MLS and blackball families who happen to be Philly MLS supporters (yes that kind of thing can happen).
yeah i agree...sounds like the style of song that they play for everton when the team comes out on the field
I'd like to hear some rationale behind this number, too, because we're sure to spend the next two years hearing how Philadelphia has the largest supporters club in the league. Correct me where I'm wrong: The 1400+ figure is the number of people who signed the SOB petition (which is now, I assume, a mailing list) and have made no material commitment, financial or otherwise, towards the group. Some, but not necessarily all, of that number are interested in the kind of singing/standing/traveling/flag waving support that is commonly understood to be characteristic of a "supporters group." I'm sure the SOB section in Chester will be very big, and once they get the hang of things, very good. But, unless someone justifies that 1400+ number, until there's a count of season tickets sold in GA standing sections (NOT deposits), can we agree to suspend the bragging about the massive support from the SOBs?
Actually, the number is up to 1,800 now and that is folks who have signed up for membership on our website. Until now, it's been free. The real story will come if we can get over a 50% conversion rate when we switch to paid membership in April (or thereabouts). We had over 7,000 petition signatures and 2,800 requests for season tickets. Until we get in the stands though, you're right to be skeptical.
Exactly the answer I hoped for. Thanks. If it's not a trade secret, how much are does SOB membership cost, and what benefits/premiums are being offered? Is this an annual membership, or will it carry into when the team starts? Good luck. It seems to me you're doing things exactly right. I wrote what I did specifically because more excited/rivalry-oriented folks might use that number to attack existing supporters clubs.
Membership cost is yet to be determined, because we haven't figured out how many games we're going to have this year. Obviously if US-Argentina is in Philly, we want to host a kick ass tailgate for supporters of all clubs, and our members will be partially (at least) footing the bill for the beer. We would have membership run from March to March annually. Benefits yet to be decided.
Bryan76: I just want to take a moment to congratulate you and all the other Sons of Ben for the realization of your MLS dreams. In my opinion, your efforts in creating such unprecedented support for a non-existent team was a significant reason Philadelphia was awarded its MLS "franchise" yesterday. You and all the Sons of Ben have every reason to be proud. You have provided the blueprint for fans in other cities - St. Louis, Portland, Miami, Vancouver, Montreal, New York City, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, etc. - to marshal similar support from potential MLS fans in their cities. Your accomplishments are truly inspirational. Again, CONGRATULATIONS! Peace. T
The Sons of Ben also did another great thing for MLS, by just being who they are. Their hunger to have a home town club demonstrates a passion for something that flies in the face of the prevailing attitude of many soccer fans in this country who seem content on forever watching games on the TV, rather than attend live matches in their own back yard, because they think MLS is "inferior." Now, I'm a fan of English football too, because it's a great product, but MLS is my country's league, so I love it, and I support it. And I'll support it even better when I am able to move to a city that has a team. It's important to have a home team, and also to root for it.
Plus, the emcee of the event was Michael Barkann, who is a big wig broadcaster at Philly Comcast SportsNet. I thought he was the perfect choice for emcee.
Very cool. If this is the official song of the club and/or the supporters group (SOB's), green should be one of, if not the primary color of the team. Congratulations you SOB's! I am excited about this upcoming season but I am really looking forward to 2010 with Seattle, Philly, and possibly St. Louis all in the league. MLS: you've come a long way.
Agree 100%. I fully understand people who watch the EPL or other UEFA leagues (and the UEFA CL) to watch the highest quality soccer. But there's something special about watching games live and having a local team to support and be excited about. MLS really has to tap into those sentiments to get the league to continue to grow and prosper.
Just curious: Governor Rendell, in the press conference yesterday, said that the team name would be selected by the fans but FSC report has stated twice in the past two days that the name has already been selected as Philadelphia Independence FC and it will be announced in a few days. Which story is correct?
Well said. Although, I'm not completely buying the argument that "English football" is "a great product."
Talking with the owners, they have said that the name is not selected yet. Independence was secured in 2006 by investors interested in buying Kansas City. I think only one of the owners from that group is in this group. mlsrumors is running with it. Philadelphia fans dont mind the name but by a 2 to 1 margin prefer Athletic. But because of ridiculous trademarking laws, that may not happen.
Is there really any reason to think this is a real issue? I've asked several times, but I have yet to hear any actual facts. Mostly, it's just some guy who says so. I mean, sports franchises share names all the time, and nobody seems to care. Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals, Washington/Kansas City Wizards, New York/SF Giants. Why in the world would this become an issue now?
because the A's franchise (out in oakland) still makes money on the retro apparel that has the Philadelphia Atheltics name on it.
I understand the reasoning here, but has anybody actually heard something that suggests that the A's would not be able to continue to make money just like they have always done? Why would a soccer team having a similar name ruin their retro baseball apparel business?
Because if the Oakland Athletics give up exclusive rights to the Philadelphia Athletics trademark, then anybody could legally produce knockoff Philadelphia Athletics gear.