MLS circa 2005??

Finally, we're getting coverage related to MLS. I've been working with this for much of the time I've been here at Penn, and all I can say is this: it's absolutely possible for Don Garber to pick up a new Philadelphia Atoms or Union FC jersey come October or November. But we have to make it happen. It's part of the reason why I tried to organize the US-Venezuela viewing party (which flopped, unfortunately), and it's part of the reason why I've become so active with the Philadelphia Expansion Thread in the MLS: Expansion and Stadiums forum, and why I've become so active on this board despite my general status as an outsider. We will get a team if we get out there and get in people's faces: Jensen and Narducci at the Inquirer, Aris Ohanessian of CyberSoccerNews and other media, and especially at the bars and restaurants that show soccer on the weekends. I know that Dark Horse is actively averse to non-EPL/SPL soccer, but Tir Na Nog wants us back, and we've got to take advantage of that.

Not to re-state the obvious too much, but the Manchester United game really is crucial to getting an MLS team here. Even if the league isn't directly involved right now, there's no reason we can't involve the league. Bring banners and posters, hang them over the railings like the English fans do with their flags, and make sure they get on TV. Or do it in Philly traditional style with a roll-out banner in the stands a la Penn and St. Joe's basketball. Wear a US jersey or an MLS jersey if you have it to the game. We can do it. We just have to do it.

If I sound a bit emotional and over-the-top about this, well, I am. But I really do believe that MLS will thrive in Philadelphia once it gets here. It's time to make it happen.

 

I think it was Dnepr.

And as for the heritage, I still think that the full extent of what the Philadelphia soccer community can do hasn't been seen yet and won't be seen until MLS gets here.

Damn, would I ever love to see the team at Franklin Field. Penn Athletics is actually going to be putting a new artificial surface in there next year, and it will very likely be one of the FIFA-sanctioned ones. Nevertheless, there's no way the team would go anywhere other than LFF.

 

"All-Time Largest Crowds in U.S. Men's National Team History at Home":

"August 2, 1991 Sheffield Wednesday (Eng.) 2-0 W Veteran's Stadium (Philadelphia, Penn.) 44,261"

"August 25, 1989 Dnepr (USSR) 1-0 W Franklin Field (Philadelphia, Penn.) 43,356"

That Dnepr attendance strikes me as well short of a sell-out. Isn't the capacity of Franklin 52,000?

 

Would the Eagles even let them near it, though?

This brings up the possibility, and the necessity, of a soccer-specific stadium in the city limits, somewhere. Like Columbus' for example. The parking at Franklin Field and around there would be a pretty tight fit, and the horror stories that are coming out of South Philly with people having to park a half-mile to a mile from the Vet/Spectrum/F- U Center all the while seeing lots which are empty, but are reserved for fatcats and luxury box folk.

The Eagles, with their miser-like attitude in keeping as much dough under the salary cap, plus their outright disrespect toward its fan base with the one-payment-only-and-cash-only season ticket brouhaha earlier in the year would be the absolute worst partners in an MLS expansion venture. I'd rather have a team in a place where the Eagles tentacles are nowhere near it. What about the site of the old Schmidt's brewery right off the Girard exit of 95? That was pushed as a place for a new Phillies stadium a couple years ago. Would be perfect - right off the El at the Girard station and you're there.

Paul

 

Jeff Lurie would be the Investor-Operator.

 

Let me see if I get this straight...

The Eagles are a tight-wad organization that refuses to open its wallet to retain talent or bring in top free agents, correct? Having a front office like the Eagles' would be a terrible disadvantage for a Philly MLS team?

What fantasy world are you living in?

See, at least to me, the Eagles are a team that have one eye on the upcoming season and the other on the future. They do everything they can to be the best team possible every year, but not at the expense of the next couple years.

Penny-pinching? They signed McNabb to a big-money extension. They signed Darwin Walker to a long-term extension. Jon Runyan was the best free agent lineman available when the team signed him, also for a lot of money.

Just because the team doesn't toss every single cent they have (and a lot they don't yet have) into payroll doesn't mean they're not not trying to be competitive.

How many of the players in recent years are players they've drafted? Quite a few and far more than the league average. But we don't want a front office that puts emphasis of scouting and player development. We'd rather have someone with somewhat deep pockets and gives a bunch of money to a 35 year old European who looks at the league as his retirement plan and has no passion for playing for MLS (Hello, Mr. Matthaus).

Does Lurie owning the MLS team automatically mean they'd have similar success as the Eagles? Not at all. However, it's hardly as terrible a scenario as you're making it sound.

 

Remember also that the team/front office would probably have very little initial control over who they would sign, as all contracts are done through the League. Honestly, whoever coaches the team will probably have more clout than the entire front office combined when it comes to player signings, Lurie included.

And if you'll oblige my selfishness for a minute, don't expect Convey or Olsen to play here anytime soon in anything other than a DC uniform without one hell of a fight.

 

This ISN'T another doom and gloom post....

We've got three weeks to kill before the Boston game, so let's stray a bit offtopic

The Eagles are cheap. They're $15 million under the cap. They've lost Shawn Barber, Brian Mitchell (to the Giants, no less), Barry Gardner, Hugh Douglas, the only real passrusher they had; Sean Landeta, Cecil Martin and Dorsey Levens. Anybody approaching 30 years old can kiss any short or long-term contract extension wish up his keester.

But after 43 years (since their last NFL title), fans realize you've got to take a chance and make the effort to win it all now, even if it means wallowing in suckitude a couple of years after. See Ravens, Baltimore, as exhibit A.

Otherwise you wind up like the Flyers; always in the playoffs, but not getting to the last round (true, they toss around Comcast's money like a drunken sailor, but they just have a tendency to spend it on rent-a-players who have even less upside than ol' Lothar.) And if it means overspending a little to get the A-list, blue-chip free agent that will be the final piece of the puzzle, you do it. Lurie says he has a 'blueprint for championships' (plural), but when push comes to shove, he nor Banner goes the distance to actually sign talent that will help them win one. People don't want to hear 'we got to the conference final 2 years in a row' anymore. They want a Super Bowl. If not a win, an appearance in one.

Don't get me wrong, I want an MLS team here. I just shudder at the prospect of Lurie running it. I don't think he comes off as fan-friendly right now. As the Charge have proven, being fan-friendly helps bring people into the fold.

Paul

 

Re: This ISN'T another doom and gloom post....

Hey, if the mod says off-topic is okay, who am I to argue?

Douglas is a great player who wears down by the end of the season. Had 1.5 sacks the last half of season, plus play-offs (Roughly. I don't remember the exact stat.). Also, DE is a position that traditionally ages less gracefully than most positions in the sport. I have no problem not spending that kind of money on him. Best of luck in Jacksonville.

Martin has been replaced, with whom every expert considers an upgrade.

The Giants overpaid for Mitchell, which is good for him for finding a team willing to do it. It's even better when the Giants take the salary cap hit the last two season of the contract.

Levins was a stop-gap, with Buckhalter injured.

Barber is the only one that I have a problem with, but that will happen. More than anything, the front office has done fine the last few year reloading. I give them the benefit of the doubt until give a reason not to.

*deep breath*

As for levels of success, I have no problem with the effort, or perceived effort, made to make a big signing. How many truly impact players have been available the last two years? None come to mind right away. So how are they supposed to splash the cash on the man who will bring the title to Philly if that man isn't out there?

The Flyers are a failure too? Ask a Rangers (New York, not Glasgow) fan if "merely" making the play-offs is such a terrible thing. Their pay-roll is astronomical, they "make the big signing" and it's gotten them squat. Don't automatically equate a big signing with getting a team over the hump. Plus, what have they won since '97? That's more than a couple years.

Lastly, Lurie is so bad? How about we get good old Norman B. back running the show and see how things go?

 

i'll say it again...

jeff
lurie
will
not
make
personnel
decisions
with
a
philadelphia
mls
team


phil anschutz does not make personel decisions with any of his teams, same with lamar hunt and bob kraft. personel decisions are made by garber, gazidis, and the gm and coach of each team. so you can calm down now.

 

OK....

Paul (still amazed at Diana Taurasi's all-world performance tonight in Atlanta...)

 

If Anschutz tried to make personnel decisions for every team he owned, he wouldn't have very much free time, so that's hardly a good example.

I understand what you're saying and for the most part, it's right. He won't be involved in trades or drafting or team selection.

He will be involved in how every other aspect of the team is run and that's important. To have an owner willing to spend money on quality scouts helps the team, for example.

Besides, I'm being very calm about this. If for no other reason then it's good to have a regular debate about something, off-topic that it is, without it becoming a thread with the same point being repeated a dozen times or a slew of personal attacks.

 

Chalk this up to my not having been around the area enough, but what's to keep Lurie from essentially doing what Robert Kraft's done with the Revolution-- which is to say, a good job with a tight purse? I'll concede that he fired all the non-soccer people from that side of things, but I could see Lurie/Banner making it work. I really, really could.

Not to mention that it really doesn't take all that much to win an MLS Cup. Get some good goalkeeping-- Penn's Matt Haefner, who was 5th in the nation in GAA this year, will be ripe for the taking if someone offers him a contract for '05-- and do a good job scouting the local youth soccer market for talent, and life will be good, I promise.

I would consider going as far to say that should Philly get an MLS team in '05 they'd win the Cup before the Eagles won the Super Bowl, but that probably isn't true and I know better anyway.