I was going to say doughnuts in the shape of the baby big SS flag, but anyway...yeah, that's some wack news. I fully realize that it's easier for Chicago to get this done quickly in a city that is behind it versus Metro getting it done in a state that is against it, but still. Nick spoke in February of 2004, and laughed at the notion that the Fire were ahead of Metro, laughed at the idea that they had a "done deal", scoffed at the prospect of them having a stadium before us. Well, yeah, they might have been behind us then, but they seem ahead of us now. I don't think Nick was lying to us then, but the Fire have a groudbreaking date, while we have "prolonged negotiations" that are "still on target". And that sucks, no matter how you slice it. Yet another pr nightmare for the organization to explain it's way out of.
Nick S. will end up having all Metro fans support RSL next season or Chivas with Johnny in goals, and non-stopable SGR
has it even tried to do so in the past? I could handle a bit Nick totally trying to screw the hardcore base if he had a good chance of getting the stadium built. If he had actually had some rapport and didn't totally try to dick us over at every ********ing opportunity. If he didn't sign off on MPF, if a million other niggling things went right, I could forgive him for not delivering on the stadium in the teeth of some serious organizational resistance. Though I wish I had evidence that it is Nick's serious a-hole personality that helped stiffen resistance. I would LOVE to hear it. But he has managed to both drive fans away in droves AND failed to deliver on the stadium. can we please sticky the fire Nick petition. I think it's a huge measure of the success of his "vision" that no one cares anymore and that he has muted opposition from a disappearing apathetic fanbase.
excavation began today. [url="http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/south/181syt5.htm] Stadium work to begin today - Daily Southtown [/url] great for mls, great for chicago. hey nick....you reading?
I have been a diehard Metro fan since day one, because we didn't have a team in Utah and Metros were the coolest. Now I guess they'll just have to be my favorite eastern team. It's kind of funny though for me, because it looks like several ex-Metros could be playing for my new team at RSL next season. I really hope they pick up Brenes, Vaca, and Ziadie. Obviously they won't get all of them. DJ Countess and Andy Williams are likely, and supposedly Clint Mathis. Maybe Brian Kamler too. Hopefully it won't mean that RSL has to collapse at the end of every season. If the Metros keep up that trend a few more years, they'll start calling it "the curse."
Why aren't you/they talking about AEG? Look at what Kevin Payne said at the time AEG took over the club: He was Sr. VP of Soccer at the time. I'm not trying to apologize for Nick-I share a lot of people's complaints. But I think it's beyond him at this point, and the anger & questions the fans have re: this situation need to be addressed to AEG. Nick's been bad, but on this score he's being made a scapgoat IMO. Sh/it rolls downhill, and at the top of the hill is AEG. YMMV
a) Because Nick was supposed to be the point man for the stadium b) Read my post again. If he didn't screw everything else up, I'd probably let him slide by, but to screw this and ticket sales and alienating most hardcore supporters, he's gotta go. Hell he should have been fired just for MPF. Kinda like the Buffalo Bills special team guy getting fired for the Music City Miracle. No second chances after that c) How the hell are we going to get rid of AEG? Believe me, I've been thinking about the Dolans and how their ruining MSG. Not much I can do on either end really. and it isn't AEG going out of their way to call JOhnny Walker "atrocious" or talk about "blind squirrells" or basically be the least liked MLS executive out there.
I said he's been bad; I don't question many of the reasons people think he should be gone. There's a serious case to be made to fire him. But the issue of the stadium...I'm sorry, we wouldn't hold Brian Cashman or Omar Minaya, responsible-people would be looking at Steinbrenner and Wilpon. It's too easy to take Tim Leiweke and AEG off the hook. They are the ones who have the power to make this stadium happen. No, you can't "get rid of " of them, but I just think the position that Nick is the trash bin to deposit all of the anger and complaints in...it's tired. When is the actual ownership held accountable? I just differ on this with some people here. I have never looked to Nick to deliver the stadium-always AEG. I know we are all supposed to fall on our knees in front of St. Phil. But I think they, more than Nick have more to answer to. To fire Nick...well, that's the easy way out, no?
So, can the only thing that can save this franchise is a Steinbrenner takeover? it worked for the Yankees........ it's debateablle whether it worked for the Devils or Nets......
Steinbrenner is the managing partner, not owner, of a storied and successful franchise. He has made more money than previous owners, but had a large fan base to build on. His previous attempt to expand to NJ in another sport was a failure. Yankee efforts in soccer seem limited to cross-merchandising with Man U. I seem to recall that his shipyard well bankrupt. Does anyone think he could improve the Tampa Bay Devils Rays? Revive the Mutiny? Trump appears more successful in real estate and self-promotion than other businesses. His casinos always seem on the brink of bankruptcy. Neither one in the answer for the Metros. There shouldn't be a problem with the current ownership. The local on and off-field management is the problem. Previous management hasn't been much better. Perhaps it is time for another change.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A808-2004Nov20.html I would beg to differ. When I see AEG publicly expanding it's profile like it is in DC and other areas, then I would say there is no problem. Until then...there's a problem. If Nick Sakiewicz is fired and replaced with high ranking AEG suit, then perhaps I would agree there is no problem. More than the right "soccer person," they need the right AEG person. Until then, the franchise stays in its current holding pattern.
In our defense, MetroStars' stadium renderings are better than Chicago's... Too bad you can't play on a drawing...