How did this thread devolve into politics? Soccer is simply a sport that is played and appreciated by almost every culture in the world--a simple observation allows one to see that this includes people of all sorts of worldviews and people spanning across the political spectrum. That is interesting because the 990 AM Union ads during the traffic updates this week occurred during Medved's show. I have no idea, however, if the Union buy ad time on whatever local station broadcasts Limbaugh, I do not listen to him nor do I like his show.
Oh boy, look at the mess I created... I merely mentioned NPR listeners being more receptive because I find NPR more balanced and on a higher intellectual level than something like Rush Limbaugh where fact checking is a loose term and it is much more reactionary, which panders to a crowd that when you tell them Soccer is socialism will believe it. As far as being impartial, it is not legislated anymore, but as they lose more and more federal and state funding, they need to keep their current listeners happy and grow the base, so its in their best interest to be impartial to appeal to both sides of the spectrum. I didn't mean to say anyone conservative is always anti-soccer, because I know a huge portion of Sons of Bens I know lean more to the right than the left.
Union-RB game just got pimped on ABC before Game 7 of the NBA finals. Nice exposure for the team, PPL and the SOBs
Speaking of SoBs, they'll be one of the 3 stories in the first episode of MLS Insider on NBCSports tomorrow night.
Yeah there's some bald guy leading cheers and some dude playing the drum wearing a stupid hat. Weirdos.
SOBs - thats the acronym for something horribly vulgar. How could they not have known that when they picked the name? Drunken hoodlum idiots. Can't take my kids to go see that nonsense!
I'm starting a supporters group, and calling them the Flower Street Elite; that should elicit some intimidation, huh? ---- Off topic, but did anyone know there used to be a ferry located at the stadium site back in the day?
Oooh that rhymes and is kid-friendly. I'm so in! I trust no standing or loud noise will be allowed in the FSE section, right? Also, we should be more polite hosts to the opposition. No more boorish vulgarity; instead, kill them with kindness! You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar you know! "Thierry Henry, you're a really good soccer player and I'm glad you play in our league! Steven Lenhart, you shouldn't have cut your long hair, you wore it so well! Robbie Keane, I don't like your tatoos all that much but contrary to the stereotype the Irish are actually a hard-working group that has contributed much to the world and are not just filthy stinking drunks! Referee, that call may have been incorrect but it was probably accidental and you'll do better in the second half!" That'll show 'em!
When I was a kid we used to beg our Dad to take us to Wildwood via the ferry and we used it about three or four times a summer.
NBC Sports Network, next segment of MLS Insider is on the SoB's.... The first segment on Tim Cahill was excellent, this show is showing great potential.
Historic moment led Union's McInerney to soccer Great article in today's Inquirer. In my print edition, it was first page of the Sports section, above the fold!
So Jack Mac almost played baseball. I'd imagine he'd be a decent infielder. I like to wonder things like that sometimes. How certain players in other sports might fare in soccer. Like what if Barry Sanders or Tavon Austin played soccer their whole lives and became dominant American strikers rather than NFL RB and WR.
Based on ciurrent experience, they would definitly make less money. Until that changes, the best American Athletes will opt for Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hockey. It is a catch 22. Without top athletes, MLS will not have the TV Rights to make the money to pay them top salaries. Without a strong domestic league, the top level of players will not develop. My hope is that this will change over time. As much as I want it to change overnight, I know it will take time.
Bleacher Report has the Union move up three spots to Number 6 after yesterday's win: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1682338-week-17-mls-power-rankings/page/16. I'm interested to see how much the Union will move up in the MLS Power Rankings. Last week, they were ranked 14: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ngs-week-16-portland-timbers-finally-rise-top. Should be poised for a big jump.
It will change quicker than you think. Only place to watch the WC in 1978 was to head to the Tower Theater. Now they show the Confederation Cup on ESPN and the U-20 WC on ESPN2!
It took the NFL a long time to overtake baseball and that was helped by baseball's strike. While Soccer is growing I think we are still a ways off from salaries competing with the other 4 leagues. Refs in the NFL make more than a large chunk of MLS players. Until the US starts producing upper level players MLS will still have to pull talent from other countries. Hopefully with the next TV contract up at the same time Yankees-Man City FC comes into MLS they can get a good bit better deal. The timing appears to be nearly perfect as it coincides with the following of the World Cup and NYCFC coming in to the league.
I expect NFL to organically die out as less parents risk their children developing brain disorders. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. Basketball and the NHL are fading fast while I feel as though baseball is losing interest. Anecdotally, freshman year at college everyone was wearing football jerseys and jerseys from the occasional other big sport. By last year, a hell of a lot of people were suddenly wearing soccer jerseys. Admittedly, most were European teams with a handful of Union and Cows fans, but I expect this to continue to grow and some of these Eurosnobs to start following the MLS.