Re: 08.08.2009 Soumare With Fire Through Remainder Of Season - Southtown Star Chivas USA Still Struggling To Make Its Mark - Los Angeles Times Busy United Still Has Time For Madrid - Washington Times LA Stars Align vs. Revolution - Boston Herald Know Why Osorio Is Still Around? Please Step Forward - DailySoccerFix Expansion Kinder To Sounders Than RSL - Salt Lake Tribune Sounders FC's New Defender Adjusting To Life In Seattle, MLS - Seattle Times
Re: 08.08.2009 Sounders will raise season ticket cut-off in 2010, could exceed 30,000. (SSE) Information on the renewal, add-on and new ST drive that will officially begin in Seattle next month.
Re: 08.08.2009 Amazing the support the Sounders are getting in Seattle... what exactly are the Sounders and Toronto FC doing that the other clubs are not doing?
Re: 08.08.2009 Being new. The same thing is happening in Philly and will happen in Vancouver and Portland. That and marketing to 18 - 34 white males and not to soccer moms like the rest of MLS.
Re: 08.08.2009 Being new didn't bring out 30,000 a game in Houston or Salt Lake. Or any of the other MLS teams. There's something else. Maybe Toronto and Seattle are just different. Maybe marketing to the young males is the difference. Here's hoping that Philly is as successful as Seattle and Toronto.
Re: 08.08.2009 They focused on building atmosphere in their stadiums first and marketing an entertaining environment instead of trying to get a quick buck. The goal was to build ticket demand instead of just selling tickets. It also helps that they have an urban mindset instead of a suburban. One team that does have a suburban mindset but deserve honorable mention though is Real Salt Lake. They haven't had less than 16,000 since April, and have been drawing well against teams who do not necessarily have strong road-attendance numbers. They're also doing something right. They're well on their way to averaging over 17,000 by the end of the season at their rate.
Re: 08.08.2009 well lets hope that the new expansion teams spend some time in Seattle and Toronto to see what they can steal in ideas and new thoughts for the start of their season. im wondering how Philly is going to do... a lot of sports choices in Philly.. while in Seattle, they have the M's and Seahawks... philly has Flyers, eagles, 6ers, phillies... hopefully the SoB's already have a strong foothold in the city to make the experience exciting and fun that more than soccer parents and the AYSO team want to come and watch a game and walk on the field after. that the hard core soccer fanatics come out and keep coming out.
Re: 08.08.2009 Yeah we are making it a experience. The SoB's have some rep in the city. Many soccer friendly types are aware. I experienced first hand from the parking lot attendant that saw my Union shirt and began asking me questions about the team. Even, going as far as to suggest a DP for us. Another time, in my SoB gear some inner city Catholic school let out. Several kids in the group shouted " go Union ".
Re: 08.08.2009 Two words.. Drew Carey. Who doesn't like the Price is Right? You want 30,000 fans every home game? The answer: get a loveable, chubby game show host on your ownership board.
Re: 08.08.2009 imo, it's not so much the urban mindset, it is the urban reality of those clubs that plays a significant/beneficial role. the physical location of BMO Field and Qwest Field greatly aids the the work that those organizations do in attracting and holding onto fans. coming into MLS in year 11 or 14 is coming into a "known" and "desirable" MLS and in many ways is a feasible task (if done and approached properly/wisely as TFC and SS have). clubs in the league since year 1 or year 3 had a bit of a different hill to climb (by joining the unknown and risky start-up MLS). but certainly the additions of clubs like TFC and Seattle have done well for themselves, and they have been able to build on the back of the product that is MLS. (that, and the unique demand for "top flight domestic league soccer" in those new markets and the downtown physical structures in which to play the matches, attract crowds, and build/display a great atmosphere have made TFC and Seattle what they are -- and these clubs, and other new expansion clubs can/will help drive/push the league forward, hopefully).
Re: 08.08.2009 Good points, tab5g. MLS as of 2009 and beyond is quite a different deal than in 2005 and 2006. I like how the Union are getting so much reception in Philly. They should be like Salt Lake (but apparently better) as in having a suburban location but still with great support.
Re: 08.08.2009 Chester is actually a neighboring city. Its not the suburban setting one would imagine. No, its not in downtown Philadelphia, but its still in quite an urban area. And there is supposedly a total of 400 million dollars or something being invested in the Chester waterfront in the area of the stadium to build apartment buildings, shopping, restaurants, etc. Season tickets also supposedly are approaching 9,500 of 16,000 available packages sold.
60000-plus expected for Real Madrid-DC United SI.com MLS commish Garber: Montreal in after 2011 New York Post Fire's defense gets another test against Dynamo Sports Network Out of his league: Has David Beckham's American dream turned into ... Mail on Sunday Pre-Season Preview: DC United – Real Madrid Goal.com Revs Boss Nicol Handed Fine And Suspension Goal.com Coach Bruce Arena explains how he rebuilt the LA Galaxy, says ... Examiner.com Breaking Down The USA's Roster Goal.com Real aftermath Sportsnet.ca
Re: 08.08.2009 To be fair, Sandy, Utah population is around 88,000, while Chester, Penn. is more around 40,000. Chester though is in close proximity to multiple big cities, whereas Sandy is surrounded by, um, salt and pepa...
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