Instead of just complaining, I would be willing to set up a website as well as write up a standard letter to MLS (for all to sign) and explain that we MLS fans do not want to see Chivas playing in an American All-Star game, with the threat to not attend the game, to explain to the media our unhappiness and to possibly get permits to protest along Avalon Blvd during the game. I am not nuts. I think this is very detrimental the MLS to have a foreign team in this US All-Star game, and think we need to let MLS know that MLS fans are around to support the MLS players not foreign teams. Who would be willing to go along with me?
I personally think the All-Star game is pointless, no matter who plays. It's fine for other sports that don't really have a national team, but when it comes to soccer, if you want to see the big stars playing together, just wait for the Gold Cup, Confed Cup, World Cup Qualifier, World Cup, International Friendly, or any other game that the Nats play in. Scrap the All-Star game altogether.
I am not a fan of the All-Star game, and have never liked it in any of its incarnations. Having said that, a protest seems an awful lot like shooting ourselves in the foot. I would be happier to see another club, only because Chivas has appeared at the Rose Bowl a couple of times and I would prefer variety. But I am prepared to "lighten up" and enjoy the spectacle for what it is - a big party and not "real" soccer. But to protest and try to make the league look bad - I just don't see that as advancing the interests of soccer in the U.S.
Yes and No. I'd too prefer variety, but I'm not prepared to "lighten up" and fork out $40 to go see a team that in all likelihood will be playing in Southen Cal. many times over in the near future. Let MLS know how stupid this is.
I am willing to sign a letter of protest. Due to the fact that bringing Chivas to the MLS-All Star game is going against smart marketing strategies. I know that the White ethnic market has been dropping slightly in overall attendance to MLS games. Partly due to the fact that the MLS is catering to a growing Hispanic market. This market has risen in attendance. The white market, however, represents 65% of all attendance while the hispanic market represents 19%. By increasing the hispanic market at a rate of 9.7% per year and decreasing the white market at a rate of 4.5% it will take MANY years for the markets to achieve an attendance balance. AND since the -4.5% change over time of the white market (65% of all attendance) is a larger number than the 9.7% increase in the hispanic market (19% of all attendance), it will require a different set of tactics to draw ever increasingly large numbers, i.e., lower ticket prices. That change is reflected most astonishingly in the amount of money the MLS is not making. The MLS requires growth and building stadiums and catering to a WIDE audience if it wants to make money. Market to the white market cadavers and those who love the game and feel it in their soul: You know, the Families, the weekend warriors, etc. Market to the Hispanic market who lives the game but go pro US and pro MLS on the marketing with a Salsa/Hip Hop Flair. It's a fusion of ethnicities and cultures, no? Cater to the black, Asian, other markets who live and love the game too by highlighting programs in the inner cities, schools, and overseas. BUT, if MLS is going to cater ONLY to the Hispanic market, then they are working against the USSF. I say this because I feel that many in the Hispanic markets will go watch MLS sponsored games involving Chivas, or Club America, or Nexaca, or Toluca or El Salvador or Mexico but not go watch the Galaxy. On the other hand, many will go watch the Galaxy. Bearing this in mind, many Mexicans in America will choose Mexico over the US in terms of their team. This is evidenced by the recent matches between the two teams played in the US. Many will also choose US over Mexico too. The former is more predominate than the latter. By catering to a constant stream of Mexican football, the fans will always see their historical teams. Many of these fans are first or second generation, so the old teams are still in their blood. But, what's true of any fan, in any place - is that you may change feelings over time. If MLS makes decisions to derail the constant barrage of Mexican teams in the US, is it possible to exchange loyalties too? And would this result in a mixed ethinic body cheering for the US over Mexico in a friendly at Reliant Stadium? That's what I believe.
MLS wont change We can complain all day, next week, sign petitions and all that , but MLS wont change the All-Star match. I would love to see it differently though... how about an MFL vs MLS All-star game on that date. If AEG - MLS and uncle phil talks to his boys down south and up's that dinero.. i am sure they can put something like that together. _________I'd buy that for a dollar !!!________
Why not? Just not going would do nothing. Chivas fans will buy the tickets anyway. The point is: if we can get all MLS fans to not go and only Chivas fans go, then there would be no balance to the cheering. The only way MLS would know that a MLS fans are disappointed would be to have an orchestrated effort that they know about such as a petition, a protest outside the stadium and media coverage, all easy things too do if all these people complaining online would act instead of just complain. If not, the MLS will do the same thing over and over, and continue to take us for granted and insult the MLS players at the same time. This has nothig to do with watching Chivas, or embarrasing the league,it has to down with letting MLS know that they can't take us MLS fans for granted, and that have to think long-term and need to support the MLS players over just making a buck. I don't see how a simple protest to let them know would hurt. I've been getting some good feedback so hopefully we can expand this. People can argue until they turn blue, but please don't waste all our time. Let's act! Jump on Board and let's be proud to be part of the MLS!
The idea of a pro-Mexican crowd at OUR All-Star Game is pretty horrendous, and stinks of horrible marketing, especially to a national TV audience. I agree with all those who think the All-Star game should be scrapped altogether. But since it won't be this year, I say we get as many MLS fans as possible to the HDC so the league doesn't look pathetic in front of that national audience. Can't change it now so let's make the best of it. I'll be there. It seems to change every year so why all the fear that this will become a regular thing? Maybe next year they play Real Madrid - nobody would be complaining then...But realistically, I think the All-Star game, if it's going to be played at all, should be the US stars against the foreign stars.
uhh. duh...with Chivas, that is NOW going to happen anyway, so let's spin this in to our advantage and vote with our feet, but let MLS know we're not happy. and not just through these simple forums. Let the US media know that many MLS fans are not happy about this. If Real Madrid was playing, I would say the same thing. I'm of English background and as much as I'd love to, I'm not going to the MU game solely because they are not playing a MLS team. Just accepting what MLS is doing with the All-star game is a typical lazy reponse..trying to make the MLS know we are unhappy is more difficult but necessary..and is good for the league. I've seen all this worthless "talk" before over the years, so instead of yabbering away here anymore, I am going to start a movement and hope you all jump on board. Either you're FOR the MLS players or you're not. Expect a website in the next few days. I'll let ya know the url soon.
I'm pissed that the Allstar Game is not part of season ticket holders' events, not even one of the four bonus games. I do not plan on attending.
I'm there with you, soccrfn. When I heard what the All-Star format was going to be, I was PISSED!! What a JOKE, to have a $%#@%^ Mexcian club team play a MLS All-Star team & call it an All-Star game??!! What has the FMF done to the USSF, to make it "bend over" to cater to the freakin' Mexicans the way they do!! The MLS All-Star game should be the East v West, PERIOD!!! I have the 10-game Galaxy tix package and recently received, in the mail, a letter offering me first shot at tickets for the All-Star game. NO WAY am I paying $45 for a JOKE of an All-Star game!!!
On the Contact MLS page on mlsnet.com at: http://www.mlsnet.com/contact.html I just wrote this note to the MLS Commisioner. To let them know how you feel, I urge others to do the same. ____________________ Dear Commisioner, I have been following a number of online forums for the LA Galaxy and other MLS teams and have found the overwhelming majority of comments to be, not just opposed, but vehemently opposed, to including Chivas in the MLS All-Star game. MFL All-Stars...sure, but one so-so Mexican club team, what are you thinking about besides dollars. Even some of the LA Galaxy staff I talked to were a bit perplexed. The game could be a good game, but the other aspects hurt the league. 1) It continues the stereotype that we need to have a foreign team involved to fill a stadium, and even more so a Mexican team in LA, I can just see the headlines now... 2) The crowd will NOW most likely be pro-Chivas and not pro-MLS. Not good for MLS players. 3) Many MLS fans will now NOT attend this game 4) If the MLS loses, it is terrible for MLS 5) Restates that making money is more important than the growth of MLS. Sure making money helps the league, but this way also hurts the fan base. Now, I'm sure you put on your rose-colored glasses can argue all these points, but all I can say is many MLS fans are very unhappy. Maybe next year, you should let the fans decide what they want to see before you make such a questionable decision. I think a MLS only All-Star game would be sold out anyway, but if that is your concern, then why don't you just make this the home stadium for Chivas. Why do you think we don't have US World Cup games here. Overall, for MLS, I know this is a little thing, but it is just a step backwards to all the big strides we had made. We are trying to build the MLS here, right? Maybe all the Chivas fans attending the MLS All-Star game will say, "hey, MLS level is not so bad, maybe I'll go to a Galaxy game" ...uh,yeh, right. They won't even say they are going to the MLS All-Star game, they will say they are going to watch Chivas play in that nice new stadium
I say go one step further and demand that there be no Mexicans in MLS...period! Just kidding! I agree, it does seem snarky (not to mention blatantly money-grabbing) to include Chivas in a MLS showcase match. I wasn't planning on going anyway, but if you want my name on a letter or petition, I'll be happy to oblige.
I'm overjoyed. Otherwise - I would have to find a way to unload the damn thing. I wouldn't attend if they were paying me the price of admission.
I was planning on going to see your new stadium (yes, drive 8 hours with the wife and in-laws, stay the weekend, spend lots of money at hotels, restaurants, etc.) at the All Star break, but if the game is MLS all stars vs. a mediocre foreign club team (or even national team) I will not be attending. Maybe if the game was against a top club team in the world (Man U., AC Milan, etc.) or a top National team (England, Spain, Brazil, etc.) I would probably go. I just have to go to the MLS Cup instead.
Why don't you come down with your Smurfs are playing? It'll be sad when there are no Smurfs to be seen at the HDC the next to last week of the season only to have several hundred G fans invade that pit you call a stadium on the last weekend and once again outsing the locals.
Maybe if the game was against a top club team in the world (Man U., AC Milan, etc.) or a top National team (England, Spain, Brazil, etc.) I would probably go. So what are you saying? You just don't want to see Mexicans playing? The complaint that the HDC would be filled with Chivas fans is no different than this complaint......... .........I'm pissed that ManU, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Boca, Neuva Chicago (you get the point, pick one and go with it) has been chosen to play in the MLS all-star game. The HDC is going to be filled with fans of those teams and it will make MLS look silly to have its own all-star team play 2nd fiddle to these foriegn teams. How can MLS disrespect its own players in this manner? Its not Mexico's fault so get off thier case. To think an English team would make it all better just brings you out of the racist closet. The game is going to suck no matter who is in it. But no people just want to bitch and complain. Why the hell don't you buy the ticket and go to the game and get your a$$ and voice behind the MLS squad and make the place hostile for Chivas? Nobody seems to be bringing that to the table. You worry about losing the game becuse it will be a Chivas crowd. It won't be if MLS fans buy the tickets. I suppose you are all the same folks that allowed the southern US to become a hostile place for the USMNT to play games. Stadiums were never full and mostly Mexican fans were in there. Did the American fans not have the time? Were tickets too expensive? Were you afraid of the area near the coliseum? You really have nobody to blame but yourselves.
i don't get it... i agree that the all star game is a very american and therefore pointless game. thats why i dont understand why people really care one way or another! the people that think it should be east vs. west dont really understand that it makes for a BORING game. people who want ac milan to play here dont understand that ac milan would crush the mls allstars and neighter proposition makes for a good/fun/interesting game. the idea of bringing a team from mexico makes sense. at least there will be some heat and the game will be intersting. chivas fans in the stands is WAY better than soccer moms with a team of 11 year old girls cheering for donovan and the west team. the sad part is that some of the ************ being said here is borderline racist against mexicans and thats a sad thing. whatever, i'm going to see some good football, the idea of an organized 'protest' seems stupid to me, why dont you spend all that energy and time promoting the sport, instead of dogging it? whatever, what do i know.