I certainly have my disagreements with how HSG runs this club, but most of them can be chalked up to just simple differences in opinion. But last night I was shocked to see the numerous things demonstrating just how little attention is being paid to the details around Toyota Stadium and the general customer experience. All of these are somewhat minor (but even that is subjective), but when you add them all up the sum gives off a very definite sense HSG is lifting their foot of the pedal more than I have realized. field name/number signs held in place with red duct tape club signage/backdrops decorating the custom service areas poorly hung, falling and crooked overheard multiple fan-usher conversations that can best be described as "lacking" still don't get why they put beer stands in a position to create lines that block the concourse and then, most glaring and totally blew me away was this: The one awesome, honorable, important, monument to this club's history the Lamar Hunt Statue is flanked by a pair of FCD flags. Both are serious need of replacing. Both are faded and this one simply looks like total shit. the other is only slight less embarrassing. I personally do not understand how anyone at a level of responsibility can walk past these thing and not stop everything to make sure that wasn't fixed or at least removed before last night's event. Toyota Stadium was basically a rented out CONCACAF building last night. FCD had given over control and the keys to the place for a few days and therefore had very little to do with much of what went down - but there remained a few FCD touch points and each of them really fell short. Being frugal, financially conservative or however you want to label it, is fine - but walking around Toyota Stadium more as a fan - for the first time in a very long time - last night was eye opening. That whole place looks like it needs an overhaul. Paint, new seats and a good hard scrubbing. (and man, you guys that sit on the east side are oh so right about that crap PA system).. but to allow your monument to Lamar look like this, well, is just embarrassing.
There is plenty to be embarrassed about in that stadium compared to our peers. I keep trying to tell myself that I have to be thankful that I even have a team or a stadium but why should I when we're the 4th largest market in the country (41st in the world)? When does being thankful end and expecting a professional organization begin? Especially in a market with a population of 7 million that's growing exponentially. That flag is atrocious and I hope that you blasted this all over Twitter too (I haven't checked yet). This is far beyond #sadFCDfan, it's just plain embarrassing.
Well said. For a while now, I have considered my STH fee a donation of sorts to help ensure we didn't lose our MLS club. You shouldn't expect anything from a donation, and I think it's obvious we don't get much other than the enjoyment of watching our team play (which is huge) and a nice event or two (Cocktails and Cleats is fun)...but in terms of gameday experience, it's lacking to say the least and an obstacle to enjoyment in many cases.
Greetings from a former DTID season ticket holder. I haven't watched a single match the past 2 seasons. I came here to read an update on the USMNT game last night and saw this thread. The points in this thread are not surprising at all. They exemplify many reasons I turned my back on FCD, primarily the amateurish way ownership runs the club, and the complete lack of desire to put a successful product on the pitch. My brother is extremely close friends with one of FCD's best players (roomates for 4 years) and hearing first hand how some things are run is kind of sad. I put way too much energy into supporting the club for years and got little in return and haven't looked back. I surprised myself how little I've missed it.
Well for some of us, just pulling the plug is not an option. I've been supporting this team since my Dad came home with a Dallas Burn sticker back in 1995. We don't ask for Galaxy/Sounder/League Darling status, we ask for a competitive team that acts like a professional organization. Not an organization that is technically a soccer team but has concerts/motorcross/HS football when they can. In a strange way, things are actually a helluva lot better now than they were 8 years ago. We would have 10k or less typically with bounce houses in what is now referred to as the "beer garden" and a terrible team on the pitch. They washed themselves (mostly) of the Chuck-E Cheese crowd and ponied up some serious cash to bring a great coach with great ideas here. Now they're stalling again, it's so frustrating because they look like they're making progress and then shit like this happens. We are a few wins outside of 1st place with a few games in hand in most cases. We have a decent first team too. All of these problems can be fixed easily but it's going to cost the Hunt boys some money. Money they should be willing to spend if they love this team as much as they claim.
When the Cowboys finish relocating its world headquarters to Frisco, they should definitely make sure things are kept up or it will definitely seem lacking. By the way, just how close will the facilities be to one another?
Always wondered how things play out when a player who came from a 'professional organization' came to work with HSG. Do they speak up and get pushed aside? We've had some people come in from some relatively large organizations (e.g. Morrow, Richetti, van den Bergh, Luccin, Diaz). Do they just shrug and keep on keepin' on?
It's fair to say that FCD certainly has a "reputation" within MLS about how the club is managed and run. All of them do and its a rather wide scale. Dallas happens to lie over on the end with Colorado and Chicago.
http://www.fcdallas.com/club/front-office Scroll down to almost the bottom of this page. Looks like there are plenty of people in Stadium Operations and Security, "Complex Management," and Maintenance you can e-mail with your beefs.
Why? If working in and walking around that place, those who are responsible for it can't figure that crap out for themselves...
Interesting. Any details as to which aspects may have created that reputation? I would assume it's more related to off-field operations - e.g. training/medical, PR prep, logistics...I mean, are the boys flying around in the prop plane from 'Major League'?! Surely we practice as often and as rigorously as other professional clubs, right?
Uh, let's just say, and this is my perception based on conversations with players/agents/league staffers over the years, FC Dallas isn't considered a desirable MLS destination. Not because of the location, in fact, if Dallas does offer anything to players - especially ones with family - is a high quality life style due to the low cost of living (esp in Frisco). FCD is damaged simply by how the team is run logistically, PR, marketing, appearances, etc. The frugality of HSG has also become something of a urban myth within the league. Fair to say the reality of it isn't anywhere near as bad as it is presented in storytelling. But, getting back to the original point to this thread: next time your in the stadium, really, really pay close attention to both the condition of the stadium (paint, cleanliness, chips and dings) and other detail issues and you begin to see signs of, maybe, how the club is run. If something as minor as the club flag being tattered is allowed, just imagine how important issues like travel organization, medical/training care, PR and other things are handled - probably meeting the all the basic requirements, but lacking, maybe, attention to the fine details and going above and beyond to make it perfect. Here's an example based on more than just talk and perception. Not many people know this, but FC Dallas no longer has either a VP of PR or a VP of Marketing. Both of those positions were left unfilled after those last in the gigs left for other gigs (both earlier this season). The people remaining in those staffs all report directly to... Dan Hunt. Now, Dan is a passionate fellow, but I don't believe he possesses any experience professionally in marketing or public relations. For this club, a top-flight professional sports team - not to have an experienced, senior level leader in either of those spots - well, I find that really odd. lastly, I do think it also has something to do with the gameday atmosphere. Who wouldn't want to play in front of those crowds in Portland, SEA or KC versus the historically just more than half full Frisco stadium? There are enough examples of how a team can/should be run that make a player's life easier that if given the option, Dallas isn't a place they'd pick.
Maybe I'm naive, but I think it's rare for someone to go to their job every day with the intention of doing a lousy job. A person who goes in every day is probably more likely to miss the details than someone who goes occasionally - sort of the frog in the frying pan theory.
Im not suggesting anyone is trying to do a lousy job. I'm saying that the fact an entire staff of people could walk past that and not do anything about it tells me all I need to know about how the entire joint is run.
As I have not been in Frisco for years, I will have to take your words on the stadium. The District of Columbia has clearly lost interest in RFK, though I imagine that someone has an idea on how to get the Redskins back. There is another way to judge HSG and their frugality. The MLS has given each time $500,000 to spend on players. We have seen that the Gals have already done that. I certainly do not expect HSG to grab a player with a Dos Santos level price tag, though it would be nice. If HSG were to use some of that money to buy down a player below DP level, use the rest and some of their own to buy another player, that will tell us something. Especailly if they team up Oscar's contract and write him a new,more lucrative contract. If, the other hand, HSG plays the good soldier, and trades the pick to NewYork New Jersey Red Star Metro Bull, NYCFC, or the Gals the money for a draft pick (or to a hypothetical Los Angeles team for a hypothetical draft pick), and timidly trigger the option on Oscar's contract, that will tell us something else. As to the Hitman's point that Dallas is not a desired destination, I am sure that is a wonderful excuse for HSG to use. I am certain they will. That is the fault of whom, and be precise, please! HSG, of course. They can sell the quality of life in North Texas, compared to other places, like, oh, say New York or Los Angeles, where the taxes are stifling, and prices for many things are higher. HSG can change, if they like. Of course, HSG might have other priorities. Dead but dreaming, Scipio Diabolus, vox fatum. Contra. 9TSixer
Well, now with the release of the MLS Salary list - not only can we all but confirm the addition of Cirigilano to FCD, but now I have about 11teen questions as to who is an actual DP for FCD? From that the only player that qualifies is Diaz, and he barely breaks past the limit. FCD's salary adds up to approximently $3.5million. There are NINE individual players across the league that are making more than that.
Well Hunt's KC Chiefs just opened the bank on a player so it is possible for them. I too am confused about who their DP's are if those salary figures are accurate.
Also in the "HSG, really?" category... FCD is now being outspent by Colorado and Columbus. By almost a million dollars. They're being outspent by DC, who are paying rent for a crumbling dump of stadium. In fact, they're being outspent by 18 teams, a full 90% of the league. The only team they're outspending is NYRB, which is something that I never would've thought that I would've ever written. Still, c'mon already, HSG. We're not asking for you to open up the wallets like Toronto, LA, and NYCFC, but holy crap, outspending Columbus, Colorado, and RSL would be nice.
Peter, just as a point, I heard a little bit of the show this weekend, and Andy was talking about what a good thing it is that Crigliano doesn't cost much. While it sounds like this guy could be a good pickup ..... I don't like to hear that it's good because he doesn't cost much.