i was happy to see the great crowd, but it felt like a "curious to see freddy" crowd and not a "soccer" crowd. most people around us in section 112 were asking questions about rules, why they did this and that, etc. i don't think many of the people who showed up even knew the game and were just coming to check out the wonder-fetus. when there was 12k in that second leg of the LA series last year....now THAT was loud. even donovan said it was louder than any of the world cup matches he's played in. but that's probably because they never faced south korea in that cup. anyway, i hope the attendance stays up, and that these rumors of relocating the club go away.
Actually, the USA did play South Korea, 1-1 tie on 6/10/02 in Taegu. Who could forget former Quakes board regular Ahn Jun Hwang's classy speedskating goal celebration? http://www.ussoccer.com/events/competitions.sps?iType=263&icustompageid=6782
my mistake again. i guess the handball in the penalty box against germany, and the frustration caused by it, are still clouding my memories of the cup.
Having been at both games, it was louder at the game in Daegu when Korea scored. But Donovan was on the field and I was in the stands -- maybe it was louder on the field in Spartan Stadium because the seats are so close to the field -- at the stadium in Daegu, the seats were way back from the field.
Rather snobby of us to think that way, don't you think? These are exactly the people we want to get out to the games, the ones who don't know about soccer, but will get bit and come back for more. As far as people not knowing anything about the game, this is the second season for the guy that sits next to me and he still doesn't know s!!t from Shinola about it.
oh, i wasn't trying to sound snobby. just pointing out that it seemed to attract new curious people, which may have been why they weren't as loud as most other 17k crowds. i agree with you that it's a good thing to have new people introduced to the game, which is why i helped answer many of their questions about yellow cards, free kicks, corner kicks, etc. sorry that it may have sounded snobbish. not my intent. i sure hope plenty of people show up this weekend! though the poor ticket sales up to this point are not encouraging.
Would there have been less good seats available if the Quakes had won the match in front of all the visiting first-timers last Saturday? GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Right, because we're only trying to change one thing about America here, and that is its lack of pro soccer.