DC United vs Iran in April? :: W. Post

Knave, nice find.

Google news is how I've been able to keep a minimal shred of sanity during the latest transfer window.

Life was so much simpler before I became consumed with this damned game...

 

I don't know how I feel about this. The publicity would be nice and if it helps the relations between the US and Iran that would also be fantastic. The other part of me just doesn't feel good about this, for reasons that I can't articulate.

 

Bring them on.

 

Thanks for deleting that post. As an Iranian-American, I have to say that if soccer can help bring the two nation's closer together, I'm all for it. In Lyon in '98 the ratio of Iranian to American supporters was about 5:1...hopefully that could be replicated in D.C.

 

Here's a reason to have the game that I can clearly articulate:

Persian girls are hot. Hopefully there will be many in the crowd.

 

That would be awesome. My favorite club team and one of my favorite national teams. I really hope this happens.

 

I am sure that some have political reasons and feelings about a possible Iran v. DC United friendly match this April.

But I am also quite certain that for every United fan who will/could be turned off from attending this game for whatever reasons, there are probably 10-20 or more locals who have never seen a DC United game in person who will be very intrested in being at RFK for this match.

If the match occurs, it will be a wonderful step for soccer and MLS; as will the Iran match at the Galaxy. As much as the friendlies v. EPL sides are fun and do have some potential attendance drawing power, a friendly against a national team that registered a victory over the US at the WC just 6 years ago seems like a better prospect all around.

If Fulham or some EPL side wants a friendly this summer vs. an MLS club, let them play in Chicago or Columbus or as part of the "all-star" weekend.

I am certainly excited about a possible DC United friendly v. Iran this April.

Mod's Note: Quote deleted

 

Hopefully, this will be...

Considering the recent uncertainty of the Iranian political scene, I'm not convinced that whatever Iranian government is around by April will allow its national side to play in the U.S. anyway.

Let's just hope and pray for the best.

 

I agree...

The country's history is a seemingly endless cycle between secular and religious rule. The religious leaders are now aging and their grip on power is slowly coming to an end. They know this and the younger (mainly more moderate) Iranian people know this. More and more moderate Iranian politicians are finding their way into key positions. The sad thing is that with the system of religious courts that oversee the regime, it may take a bloodbath over there before we are able to see more games between Iranian and American teams.

Any chance to show the US in a good light to the Iranian people would be a good thing.

 

I've never quite understood these club vs. country matches. What's in it for Iran? Is it simply a way to get some training in?

 

I imagine they start WCQ soon, but I would think this is more along the lines of soccer diplomacy a la the ping pong team in China in the 70s.

 

DCU vs. Iran would be an interesting match to watch.

As far as I'm concerned weither it's a national team or club team, if they want to come here and play DCU, I say - bring it on.

 

I think this is a great idea... It would be a great way for me to get my sister and new (Iranian)brother-n-law to make it up for a United game... although, I don't know how big of soccer fan he is. I think he may have gone to Rutgers university, so if Josh Gros makes the team, (he went to Rutgers right?), that would be another connection... Anyway way to get my sis and bro up to visit would be a plus.

 

I agree. I'd rather see DC United vs. Aguila 10 times out of 10 instead of DC United vs. El Salvador National Team. I know it's just a friendly either way, but club v. club is a much more interesting matchup to me compared to club v. nation. Instead of bringing the Iranian national team, just bring us Iran's biggest club.

 

I don't know if this is trolling or not, but I certainly wouldn't want to give any of my money to the current regime. I don't know how the proceeds from this would be divided, or how the Natiobnal Team recieves its funding, but it should be a concern.

 

Iran has the Asian cup coming up in July, so these matches would be in preparation for that, in addition to the political aspects.

 

I don't know if was "sloganeering", but you're correct. I should have said that I wouldn't want any of my money to end up in the hands of the hard-liners who rule the country.

 

You're talking about the U.S. aren't you??

About the match - ANY game against international competition is great for DC United, and the league and US soccer in general - DC is a natural for international games - (Everytime the Mens National Team plays here its like an away game for them) - There's lots of Iranian soccer fans here already and many of them are DC United fans -

 

I think it was rather obvious what I was talking about. From it's inception, Iran's historical tendency is to alternate between fanatical Islamic based governments or ones based on the despotic (more secular) rule of a single person (or oligarchy). (Usually a Shah)

Of course, I think I get what you are saying, but comparing even the most zealot US religious conservative to an Islamic judge in Iran would be way off base and would diminish the reality of what Iranians have to deal with on daily basis. You can like our leaders or hate them but they do not make up laws based on the drop of a hat.

The whole game thing is interesting though, just because it may show a degree to which the current regime is heading...