In a vacuum, I agree. But MLS is not in a vacuum -- it's in a world loaded with the Big 4 sports plus minor league baseball, minor league hockey, indoor lacrosse, outdoor lacrosse, arena football, indoor soccer, team tennis, pro softball, etc. (not to mention college sports). Traditional style soccer names help MLS teams cut through the noise and have a soccer identity -- if FC Dallas does well, I predict more of this type of naming.
I doubt seriously that non-soccer fans will become converted because of a team name. If anything, they will see it as a pathetic attempt to emulate euro soccer teams, which is what it is.
You've missed my point. This has nothing to do with non-soccer fans. It has to do with trying to make sure that soccer fans become MLS fans. If you're not seeing a theme in terms of the formation of SUM, the outreach to Chivas and Club America and the name FC Dallas, you are not paying attention.
No, you said that naming teams this way makes mls stand out among other American sports teams. Therefore it does have to do with non-soccer fans. I'm paying attention, are you?
Of course, it'll just give purpose to flipping everyone else off. And people thought it was appropriate that the CoreStates Center became the FU Center.....
For better or worse the people who most need to be convinced to support MLS in Philadelphia is the Dark Horse crowd. And as we all know they are the hardest to get. But IMHO they would form the core of whatever supporters' club springs up around here and therefore the league ought to give them what they want if and when possible
That's sacrilige!!!!! If we can get the corrupt politicians and unions ousted from the city through all of this I'm on board!
The name change doesn't change the product on the field nor does it change the way the teams are run, so that is shortsighted.
Are you implying the name could be the "FU Birds?" Actually, that in and of itself might be a successful marketing tool in the Philadelphia area
You need to pick the right parking lot exit and find the roads around the warehouses that no one really takes. The right parking space helps and so dpes getting there early. I live in Jersey so I really don't have a problem and transit from my area would be a massive pita. When I see the Flyers or Phillies, I park at the Linc in an easy out spot, head to Front and then get on 76 for the bridge from there. When I go to the Linc I park in the CBP lot and exit through the east exit and head to Front to get to the bridge. It's not always quick, but usually painless.
Most of the original MLS names were embarassing. Fortunately, the Wiz elongated their name after a year, the Clash changed to something a little more traditional (for San Jose, anyway), and the Mutiny just went away. As hideous as all those names (and kits) were, it never kept me from an MLS game. If people really say with a straight face that they won't support, say, NY/NJ because they don't like the name "MetroStars," well, then, shame on them. They are idiots. As much as I'm for traditional (or historic) nicknames, neither the change to Earthquakes or a couple of championships have helped that team out much. We'll see what the "F.C." does in Dallas.
Soccer fans who have a notorious reputation for not only being apathetic towards American soccer but actively not wanting anything to do with it. I called them on more than a few occasions last year and the year before asking if they would show a USNMT game and they refused. So I took my money to Tir Na Nog. I have heard that there is an Irish place on Penn's campus that is considering showing more soccer. When I get back up there I will check it out and let everyone know. I suspect it might be cheaper than Tir Na Nog and we could probably get some good crowds there.