I just got an email from a friend of mine who is a CFC season ticket holder and CFC supporter. He linked me to an AP news story just now with the following. English Premier League champion Chelsea will play in the Major League Soccer All-Star game on Aug. 5, the third foreign team to play in the midseason exhibition in four years. The match was originally scheduled for July 29 but will be pushed back a week to accommodate English league player union rules that require a 30-day break between the World Cup and the start of club training. The World Cup in Germany runs June 9-July 9. Four MLS games originally scheduled for Aug. 5 will be moved to the weekend of July 29. The New England Revolution-Chivas USA game scheduled for Aug. 6 will remain as scheduled in Los Angeles so it can be part of a doubleheader involving Spanish league champion Barcelona. This is perfect. The game is on my birthday, and I will likely have front row seats. Who else is excited?
So New England and Chivas will be without any of their players that are voted onto the team? Its one thing to miss players to national team duty, but this is stupid.
I'm trying to generate a little internal excitement about this, but I can't. Not every league needs an all-star game, and I think MLS is in a unique position to dump the traditional game. Instead, they can designate a weekend for international friendlies against big clubs and feature the best match-up on ABC with the others on espn and the duece. I say we are in a unique position because the big clubs need these preseason matches anyway, and they all want a piece of the shirt market over here. Now, if this were the Fire against Chelsea, I would be all over it.
I'm glad it's not Fire vs Chelsea. I'd have trouble routing against Chelsea. As it is, it will be easy to route against the All-Stars.
Seeing as I watch most of their games on TV and follow them as my number one team I'd watch Chelsea play just about anyone since it's rare enough that I get a chance to see them. And even against a good opponent you never know what you'll get out of pre-season play. I saw them against AC Milan at Giants Stadium and it was one of the most boring games ever. Still nice to see the boys in the flesh. "Carefree..."
Prepare for a huge markup in price! Actually, that's one of the great things about Bridgeview, that whole supply vs. demand thing... They'd obviously mark up the prices at Soldier Field too since it is Chelsea, but they can pretty much get whatever they want right now. And, I know, the prices are set by the league, not the Fire.
Since they are moving the All Star game from the previous weekend, they will likely be moving games from the 5th to the 29th and 30th of July
I'm betting that this game will be included in season ticket packages. If you want the game, you'll have a choice -- pay a lot more for this one game, or, buy a season ticket package for a tad more and get the all-stars plus several other Fire games.
I think this was discussed ad-nauseum and the all-star game will NOT be part of the season ticket package. The bitching already took place about this so I ask that people don't start again. Just go look in the other thread and steam quietly if you must
Looks like Fire season ticket holders get first shot. $55 to $125. http://www.mlsnet.com/pdf/chf/2006/stadium/chelsea_seating_map.pdf What's the capacity at the new stadium? Anyone think there'll be a problem getting tickets?
I'd take that bet, I don't think it will be part of the package. This is an MLS event hosted by the Fire, the league expects a certain amount of $.
From this thread's first post: The New England Revolution-Chivas USA game scheduled for Aug. 6 will remain as scheduled in Los Angeles so it can be part of a doubleheader involving Spanish league champion Barcelona.
I will say this: that is one HELL of a ********ing match logo. Interesting how the Chicago flag isn't good enough for us, but if the league wants to use it....
Hopefully there will be a breeze off the lake that day, to spare the rest of the city the stench that is Mourinho.
And I was heading to Milwaukee that weekend for Xterra triathlon (off road triathlon) and to hang with some friends. Add in the cost of match tickets, the fact I dislike the All Star games anyway; Xterra is still ago for me. I'll record ESPN's broadcast and fast forward the match.