Alright so this number will most likely be a one off. It'll be interesting where the number settles at.
Yep, it also makes the paying fans a bit resentful and feel like suckers if it continues too long, and then suddenly they're not buying tickets either. The Florida Panthers killed their attendance over several years with things like that and have turned it around some by finally putting a stop to it (of course winning helps, too). Hopefully it's a short term thing.
Unless their strategy is also to undercut demand for Energy tickets (who are also a bit stingy about giveaways). In which case, they run the risk of totally gutting the soccer market. This result of a price war is one of the things I've been fearing since this whole mess got started.
Understand, but even with just the "attendance" judging, I've seen it ... Regarding NrG - that picture doesn't look like the attendance they announced ... Regarding Rayo - it was a "late" appearing crowd. Appreciate the feedback, but as with most of the opinions I've heard on both sides ... I'll take it with a bit of skepticism unfortunately.
It's only a forum, here we are, soccer fans from different places inside and outside the USA discussing what happens in soccer We all have our favorite teams, our favorite posters, ...
Completely understand that ... and to be fair, my opinion or understanding of the situation is even less valuable! I know my place !
Probably because he had not played any competitive games during the last 11 or 12 months On 5 February 2015, Samaras joined Saudi side Al-Hilal on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell.[142] He played against Al-Ahli in the Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final eight days later, but despite scoring his first goal for his new team, they lost 2–1.[143] His next goal came in the first round of the Kings Cupon 10 March 2015, netting his side's fourth goal in a 4–1 win over Al-Jeel.[144] In April 2015, Greek newspaper SportDay reported that Samaras was unhappy with life in the Middle East and did not wish to continue his career at the Saudi club when his contract expired at the end of the season
Decision move seating capacity to TV side was a business decision based on expected normal attendances based on 3 years of date and trends, made weeks ago, in order to present a better TV product. The idea that the ESDC puts any effort at all into evaluating game to game attendance of the Cosmos is just silly. The Cosmos could be averaging 10K and ESDC would have the same opinion. What s mre importan int he level of $$$ into the bid, who is paying for it, and whose hands get greased along the way. They have a professional sponsorship with Emriates, they have a breakthrough deal with Under Armor...no they act like a major franchise in many ways, not just interesting name signings. The stadium situation throws clod water on a lot of things that can be done. They already donated seven figures to upgrading the surface in 2013 and Mitchell Field (training ground). They can't paint over lines because Hofstra won't allow it. That is question for them, but I suspect the answer has alot to do with what kind of business and revenue streams are out there for a professional league in D2 which is left out of the MLS/USSF/SUM money machine.
Since you asked... I loved it. Im 49yrs old, and Saturday night was the first time in my life I have ever tail-gated. WE bought a grill and cant wait to take it to every game and, hopefully, watch the experience get bigger and bigger. It was a late-arriving crowd. Even as the game was starting I was just resigning myself to it NOT being a great crowd. But then in the middle of the first period it all-of-a-sudden was full!I said in another forum that I talked to Bill Peterson after the game. He said, "Ive been doing this along time, and honestly I was a little worried right before the game started. But then, all of a sudden, the place was full! And people were stomping their feet...." As a Rayo OKC fan I will have a much different opinion of how the team played. Not LOOKING for negatives right off the bat, here's my opinion; 1. Michel was voted MOTM. He had more touches than anyone else on the field. He tracked back, and had several quality free kicks. Only thing missing was a goal. 2. Marvin Chavez is exciting to watch! He is going to be a hand-full for NASL defenders. 3. Sebastian Velasquez will also be dangerous on the attack. 4. Robbie Findley will be a star on the team, and hopefully will get a chance to move up at some point. 5. Going up a man does NOT guarantee a goal. Edmonton bunkered in and played a helluva defensive game. Their goal keeper stood on his head a few times in the 2nd half. 6. That "small" Supporter's Group? That was us. We had 5 members, and a drum section. I thought it was great. We'll definitely grow in the future. The original poster should remember that when OKCFC had it's first game, he was one of TWO supporters there. I don't pretend to know how to start a SG. We just wanted to do something to help the team grow. I would LOVE for someone to come along and tell us we dont know what the hell we're doing. GREAT! I'd let them take over! If people just want something to bitch and complain about then fine. Keep doing that. I am going to try my hardest to take a higher road, and focus on positives.
My overall take on the first weekends attendance is disappointment. OKC did great. Carolina is iffy, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because UNC was playing in the Final Four that night. Tampa is also iffy, but if the weather was bad like a poster said I can give them a little benefit of the doubt as well. The Cosmos and Ft. Lauderdale are inexcusable. With Jacksonville and Minnesota not playing at home until week 3 I wouldn't expect much improvement next weekend. Indy should provide a good boost, but hopefully it doesn't get offset by Edmonton or Miami. If Rayo OKC is giving out free tickets, hopefully they get smarter about how they hand them out. It is better to give those tickets to coaches to take their teams, or have a radio station give them away, or just do it in a way that it doesn't feel like just anyone can get them. As far as the one posters testimony you have to take into consideration they may have only been giving out free tickets for specific sections, and you just happened to be in one so you were more likely to run into people with free tickets. Without more information it is hard to say for sure.
http://brickyardbattalion.com/ Contact these people, they might be able to give you some advice. I would suggest if you have anyone in your group who is good at talking about soccer, and is willing to do a podcast make a podcast. Then also get with the team to help promote the podcast on game days.
TV atmosphere was greatly improved by concentrating fans together in the one side and end zone, surprised it took them this long to do this. TV broadcasts looked terrible last year with 5K spread throughout a roughly 12K stadium. If your going to sell 5-7K then limit the sections your selling to create a better atmosphere and have the TV cameras show the concentrated crowd, its a no brainer. MLS's Vancouver has done this for years by not selling 7K seats in their lower bowl. FC Dallas has tarped one end zone now, DC United limits sections they're selling, Seattle, etc. Chicago Fire should limit as well with the poor crowds they get.
Interesting points from an Energy fan. As for free tickets the Energy are giving them away as well to drive up attendances and this will likely continue by both clubs throughout the season as they battle for OKC fans.
Took awhile for all the fans to make their way into the stadium as lines of cars and people were still evident well into the first 30 minutes of the match.
Well Dallas only has that side tarped off because their building the national hall of fame on that side.
This kind of reminds me of what Iran, ISIS, Iraq & Saudi are doing with the price of oil right now... OKC is oil based as well... Coincidence?
No, not a coincidence. It's all connected. Two rival minor league soccer teams in Oklahoma are the key to cracking the code of oil price collusion between four nations who are mortal enemies, three of whom are adversely affected by the very reductions in prices. This is all a part of a master plan to seize control of energy supplies and the equally-lucrative field of American semi-pro sports. Great job, David Icke.
It was a disaster for the revolution. After years of rapidly declining attendance during the one side of the field seating and the worst atmosphere in pro sports, they learned that it just was more harmful than the savings were worth. They finally reversed course and began seating on both sides. Atmosphere is now better and attendance has been rising notably.
THIS! I was shocked at the low attendance on Saturday. The FO has only advertised to those who are going to the match anyways... I didn't see anything anywhere informing the general population that there was a game on. Keep in mind that the large opening day last year was due to Leo Moura's first appearance in the team. There were more Flamengo jerseys than Strikers that night. Someone had mentioned earlier in this thread that FTL attendance dropped in the last three months of last year... roughly the same time that Moura left iirc. The Strikers FO have quite the job on their hands to correct this and get it going in the right direction.