I have my own opinions about MLS that I won’t share as I don’t want to offend anyone here. But if I’m playing in Dallas, and my fans boo me for the reasons stated. WTF would I want to stay? I’d be perfectly happy in a utility role in a mid table team in Germany or England.
The whole thing about playing a national anthem before a sporting event (other than one involving national teams) is just plain stupid. That's one thing they should abolish, but in this day and age of super faux patriotism, I don't think it will ever happen.
Having attended several sports games over the years as a fan and as an employee of a pro sports team, I've thought the national anthem before the games start was always pointless. Most people are usually using the restroom or ordering food before the game starts.
I'd say 1 in 20 people salute the flag at Yankee Stadium before a NYC game. Most people are in the concessions areas or still entering the stadium. MLS really can't afford to alienate people, so play the anthem up to an an hour before kickoff and let those people who want to salute the flag show up early.
I was reading the account of the fan reaction in Frisco on the ABC News website, which is one of few news sites that have a comments section. There were roughly 1500 comments given about the players and referees kneeling and the smattering of boos from those in attendance. Of the comments I saw, a majority of posters thought the act of kneeling was disrespectful. A greater majority of posters though, felt that the anthem shouldn't be played at all prior to sporting events. So, I agree with Bruce Arena on this one. In pro sports in America, there are so many athletes on teams from other countries who are not United States citizens. Why subject them to listening to our national anthem? It's different during international competitions. I wish MLS would take a bold stand and either not play it prior to games or take Paul's suggestion above and play it well before kickoff. Of course, any professional league that did this would be cast out as unpatriotic pariahs, and more and more people are disdainful of sports in America thanks to their stubbornness to hang onto meaningless traditions. On a similar note, has anyone here attended a golf tournament or a professional tennis tournament in the U.S.? Is the anthem played prior to the start of those events? I've never been to either to know about this.
Not when I was around. Seems impractical for golf, what with spectators spread out so much. And if they did it at the one tennis tournament I attended, it was before I got there.
1. Years ago, the Detroit Pistons played the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. Whenever a Canadian team is playing in the States, the Canadian anthem is played. When the Raptors were in town that one year, Pistons fans booed during the Canadian national anthem. Forget that the Raptors consisted of Americans. EDIT: I think it was then that I realized how pointless playing national anthems were. Or seeing Fergie butcher it during the NBA All-Star game. 2. I attended a golf tournament several years ago and did not hear a national anthem at all.
I am a huge tennis fan and have been to the US Open multiple times (along with many other smaller tennis tournaments) and have also been to multiple golf tournaments. I have never heard the anthem played at any of those events.
U.S. Open? I defer. That's a bit higher than the Hall of Fame Open matches I saw, a competition wherein a decent percentage of the field arrives by way of the bus station. And departs that way as well. Though the Tennis Hall of Fame is a damn fine venue.
Yeah, I have been to all the majors. Went to all the majors consecutively from mid 2016 to mid 2017 and attended the Australian Open again this January/February. In fact, I was at the tournament in Melbourne, Australia when the first covid case was confirmed in the country ... IN Melbourne.
Apparently they sing 'America the Beautiful'. US Open Anthem Auditions Audition to Perform at the 2020 US Open! The selected winners will go on to perform “America the Beautiful” live during the night sessions at the 2020 US Open, which will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 13.
So the “proud boys” descended on a peaceful unity rally and chaos ensues Shocker: Proud boys had not requested a permit for their event https://www.the-sun.com/news/1316052/proud-boys-group-brawl-antifa-protests-kalamazoo-michigan/
Of course. St. Louis couple who waved guns at BLM protesters will participate in GOP convention https://t.co/Oygv6MXcad pic.twitter.com/6xdSHPKpzR— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 18, 2020
BREAKING: St. Senator Louise Lucas has been charged with two felonies by @PortsmouthPD with for the incident at Confederate monument in June @WAVY_News. Police Sources say conspiracy to commit a felony and injury to a monument. News conference at 4. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cfTPUJ1kwU— Jason Marks (@jasonmarkstv) August 17, 2020 ******** the police. “She left at 1 o’clock and riots began at 9 in the evening. I just don’t know how you incite a riot eight hours after you left the place. There’s something that just does not make any sense.” https://t.co/IR4umabDks— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 18, 2020 This is absolute bullshit.
How do you get charged by the police? Isn’t that a DA decision? In any event, this seems like a ridiculous thing to do. A jury of her peers is likely to get her off anyways, and all this does is make her a hero for a large segment of the population. Seems like a petty vindictiveness
Kind of confused about this protest. #chicagoprotest I am confused is this the crazy right or the crazy left? @chicago #pizzagate and #AbolishICE on the same March? pic.twitter.com/6Zr0k1B0sl— Cesar Madrigal (@DHARMAPALAS) August 18, 2020