http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/news/Kind=1/newsId=163782.html Here is the draw and it looks like the English teams have refused again to participate. I know there are lots of advantages and disadvantages of playing in this tournament. Here is how I see it. This summer, I think that Charlton should have played. It is apparant that there will be quite a bit of new faces this next season. The Intertoto Cup provides a great oppourtunity to: A - play in a Euro atmosphere B - Integrate new players into the line-up C - Qualify for the UEFA Cup Negatives: A - Injury B - Long Season I think that this summer the pros would have outweighed the cons.
Rob, I agree. This would have been a good time to participate. Let some of the younger players show how much they want it. Mix in the new players to get the chemistry going. Get more tournament type experience since we seem to be terrible in such situations -- our Carling and FA Cup records as of late are good evidence. And though we could still get into Europe, it doesn't seem likely. Let's be the next Villarreal and make the most of the opportunity. Oh well, we are not going. Too bad. Go Addicks.
I know that Charlton are not of the same $$$ level as the teams involved in the ChampionsWorld Tour, but mabye they should do a summer tour of MLS teams. Play two games on successive wednesdays, let them watch a game at Chicago, RFK, or HDC. Even if the crowds were minimal the ability to see the team would increase its American fan base. Plus they could scout some teams for young American talent. It is just a wish, but I can't remember a time that Charlton came over. But it is just a really big wish.
Once the mls season gets into summer and the open cup starts, mls teams probably wouldn't want to schedule friendlies.. last summer the fire had a stretch of 3 or 4 weeks where they played every saturday and wednesday. For it to work against mls opposition, they'd have to get it scheduled for may or early june before the schedule picks up. what might work is a doubleheader type thing.. say if charlton came over with another european team and played a friendly before an mls match. from the other thread, beasley sure would fit nicely on the left wing of charlton, time will tell if his passing/crossing skill will improve to epl levels. although if he wanted to go to europe this summer, he would've left in the winter transfer window instead of resign. my money is on him staying in mls until wc 06 is over or qualifying is done in 05.
Hey doug001001 welcome to the Charlton board. It is nice to have another opinion on things. I agree that a doubleheader is the only plausable way to make a trip to the US work. The MLS season just gets too busy. The summer heat also creates problems in quick turn around time for players. This would be the ideal trip for me: Charlton-Lyon Chicago-Burn at Soldier Field Charlton-Servette DCU-Metros at RFK I think I would have to work really hard on my wife to go to both double headers, but both would let me see teams I enjoy, and teams I love to hate.
now that I think about it, what would probably be the best financially would be to schedule the double headers against a mexican side. every friendly involving a mexican team seems to sell a lot of tickets in the us.. thus generating some revenue for charlton (maybe enough to buy a player if they play 3 or 4 matches) instead of just coming for recruiting purposes. so you could have charlton/morelia (fire sister team) in chicago etc, etc thanks for the welcome, i switched accounts.. i was the guy that posted back in november.. i went to the valley for the fulham match (3-1 result for charlton).. i do still owe you guys the photos from that match but i haven't loaded the photos from that trip yet
Well if that is the case I take back my greetings until you post your pictures Yes I know that financially Charlton could make more with a Mexican, El Salvadorian, Hondurian team etc. Hey this is bigsoccer, we do not always have to make sense here. Actually I would even take a match against an A-League team. This could work as the change of scenery that Curbs talked about earlier.
That would be awesome to have them play here. A-League? I think a team like Charlton would freakin destroy even the MLS champs without breaking a sweat. I was watching the game this weekend, Chicago v. San Jose (champs vs. runners up) and I personally could have played better football, or at least competed. The class difference is just miles and miles apart. Maybe Charlton v. Boca Juniors or Charlton v. US Men's team would work. I'd still like to see ANY live soccer game. I've never been witness to a live professional soccer game on any level except the old MISL Minnesota Strikers, and that hardly counts.
servotron, Why don't you go see the Thunder play right there in St. Paul? I agree that the Addicks deserve better competition than the A-League teams. But I doubt any of the MLS teams would be interested. And since the Addicks haven't won any silverware, it is unlikely some of the other teams mentioned would play them in the States. Unfortunately for us Addicks fans, Charlton isn't an extremely popular team worldwide. So, if the Addicks could come over and get some play, even against an A-League team would be great -- especially if it was someplace close enough for me to attend.
I agree that A-league would not be really a competitive match, but it would provide a very low risk environment for Curbs to try out various line-ups. How much attention would a Charlton match draw in Charleston or Rochester. It would be big news in those two cities but that would be it. No more than that. I can't see a MLS team playing a match against Charlton because there is not enough of a fan base for Charlton in the US. I would love to see it, but I doubt that it will happen.
I will go see a Thunder game or two this year, as the new (old) stadium is only a few miles from my house. However I'm a little peeved at them for their tryout procedures. Myself and a few friends were going to try out to be on the team, and it went from a reported 40 bucks to like 150 bucks to TRY OUT, and it takes place in like February. IN MINNESOTA. That means it's on turf, which is nothing like grass as all of you know. Anyhow, enough of my complaining...I'll see em Not against Charlton, but maybe CharlSton, close enough