how can anyone be disappointed in stumbledore?? What were your expectations? He's been nothing less than what he's been for years. That's like eating at the Sizzler and being let down. If he has let you down, that's on you. PS Stumbledore or The Sizzler? Might be time for a new name.....
^great posts! I am probably what some people refer to as "bandwagon fan". Despite the fact that I was a season ticket holder for 8 years or so, been there since day one, and continue to go to the games despite horrible horrible years. I am a bandwagon fan because I speak against the FO, coach, GM, players. Actually, I don't mind being labeled "bandwagon fan" What I do know, as a fact, is that I am no longer contributing to the Dynamo organization the ~1,700 per person to buy season tickets (and I bought several season tickets, not just one!), plus all the food and drinks at the stadium, plus all the yearly jerseys, and other stupid stuff I used to buy. Will the Dynamo go broke because they have lost the THOUSANDS of Hydro-earned dollars? Definitely not. But there are many Hydros out there who have left the Dynamo and gone back to watching European or South-of-the-border soccer games. This organization won't survive when there are less and less voices at the stadium.
The more I read everyone's comments here, the more I think that people want this organization to fail and be taken away from us, over losing and having a decent attendance. Everyone here wants to "not support the team" to get the management fired. I don't think it works like that anymore in the US. Maybe in the UK, but here, if we don't support the team, it just gets moved to a market that does. I'm guessing everyone thinks we are immune to that notion (me included). But still, I'd rather support a losing team than to lose my team. Management will take care of itself over time. Sucks that losing comes with it, but that's how it goes sometimes. Makes winning so much sweeter.
To be honest, I am in between. I am losing the excited feeling that had for the Dynamo several years ago. Anybody that knows me, knows that the Dynamo, and Liverpool are a huge part of my life despite playing another sport. I spend countless hours watching, debating, and looking at stats, and highlight vids of these two teams despite a busy work, and fitness training schedule. I live and breathe Dynamo. But the feelings are not the same that I had a few years ago. The acquisition of Boniek, Cubo, and Miranda have helped keep me somewhat excited due to their style of play, and the future of the two youngsters, but I feel the team is in a slump that is totally unnecessary, and due to mismanagement. This is a soccer city, yet the organization with their beautiful downtown stadium still struggles on, and off of the pitch. I still live, and breathe Dynamo, though I don't feel the need to get to every single game at all. I don't care if I miss every home game the rest of the season if they can't figure out how to field a team that can be in the top half of the table, though I will never miss watching a match on TV/PC. I take it personal when the team loses, so I'll never wish them to do bad.
There are a few incorrect statements here: "everyone wants to not support the team" <-- I don't think that is what people are expressing. I do not believe "people want this organization to fail" in any shape. I'll assume it's just your way of summarizing that people are demanding change. Over the years, I've observed that changing one or two players is not bringing the needed improvement. Even bringing several new players is not bringing the needed improvement. Getting a failed GM like Jordan has not brought the needed improvements. Getting a new coach like Coyle has not brought zero improvements. Having new ownership changed zilch. So, the problems must start with Canetti*. Start by changing him, and go down the list. Canetti is a money person and as long as there are reportedly 20K seats people at the stadium, his job is safe, and he won't have much to worry about. His goal is not to build a global brand, obviously. His goal is to remain employed until the next year, by continuing to sell tickets. Despite the team failures over the years, people are still buying tickets (even stupid people like ME are still going to some games, though not all). So Canetti stays, and he'll fire a person or two, but it will be more of the same. This organization needs new leadership. *And of course, Canetti is not our ONLY problem.
Kinda, but I think there are better ways to "demand change." I really wish we could vote for our GM like in Seattle. That would help. I wish I had the answer, but not supporting the club I believe is a poor decision. My opinion. * I should add, I've yet to see supporters stop supporting a club, followed by change in the front office, and winning on the field. Just as NYRB / Metro. Time looks to be the only solution, unfortunately.
The Dynamo can't move as long as there is stadium debt and TIRZ bonds outstanding. I looked thru the lease a few years back and IIRC it pretty much locked them into the term of the lease without any real outs, at least as far as there was still stadium debt outstanding. They may pay for everything but the HCSA actually owns the stadium. And moving but still having to pay for the stadium costs can't make any sense in a league like MLS. Now, like anything some team lawyer can claim they can move because the County violated their side of the agreement by not patching sidewalks but the lease only allowed so many Dynamo games to be played outside of Houston and while it probably falls short of requiring specific performance, I don't think this team is going anywhere for a long time.
Whatever fandom enthusiasm meter exists, the Dynamo are registering lower and lower on it each year. For me personally, it may just be after 10 seasons it wanes a bit - but I can get it cranked up pretty quick when we have a real brawl of a game. I see tweets from some folks who may be affiliated with Dynamo Thoery or used to be (not sure) and some of their claims that no shows aren't any worse than prior years are dubious. Interest is not as high. On the field, I can live with a 2010 - it happens. 2008 - hey, the best team doesn't always win. I can live with a 2014 - sometimes an era just fizzles out. I can live with 2015 except for the lack of real progress developing players (and why we didn't play our DP). 2016 - not acceptable. Especially when this is a pretty veteran team with many well-paid players. It's not like we have guys on Rob Lovejoy salaries out there at 6 positions. Off the field I do whine and moan a lot but some things just never go smoothly. See the below for Saturday Parking: " The Dynamo return to Houston to host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, May 14 at 7:15pm. Only pre-paid parking passes will be allowed entry into lots B/C for this match, so if you plan to park in these lots and do not have a season pass, please contact me to secure a game pass for $22 while inventory lasts." Really? I thought those were out lots. But then JJ Watt just scheduled his charity softball game at Minute Maid for Saturday so they probably gave up Dynamo-contracted spots for that event. Thanks!
Im still going to the games I love soccer, dynamo, stadium and its the best value in town but the way the ownership is running this team is awful just like the Astros not wanting to spend money to be a winner..
Rico for the captain's armband! The ONLY man that consistently looks like he will sacrifice his body, game after game for our colors. He knows what it takes to be a winner in MLS and it shows. Did anyone see his push and shove incident during the K.C. game last Saturday night? He got into with one of the K.C. players near the 90th minute and I kid you not it looked like our Karate Kid was about to have a flashback and kick the shit outta this K.C. assclown. It was on one of their corners late and Rico got the ball cleared and made sure to win the ball versus this K.C. middie. Just passion for the sport and for his jersey. If we had more of this garra, grit and spirit in our side we would not be a team that drops points at home so often and perhaps a better team on the road here in 2016. There are times when Barnes cannot be bothered to run down an opponent. I've been saying this for years and years now. It is fine and dandy to have a smart and capable counter of money in a pro team's front office. However, this is not American football where the sport is already sold. This is association football here in the U.S. and the sport must be cultivated and grown to achieve new revenue streams and certainly growing the sport so as to endear new fans and thus new customers to our sport.
I thought he was a candidate for captain coming into this season but hasn't been in the reckoning at all. One thing I realized, he is not vocal. He's kind of a quiet guy. If you want a vocal, encouraging captain out there who is going to do the rah-rah speeches and all that, it probably is not Clark.
Agree 100% That's why I think that he's not the captain. He leads by example, but is reserved, and quiet. A captain is more vocal.
For those who attend practices regularly, who on the squad appears to be captain material? Barnes does not appear to hold others accountable and whatnot, at least from my perspective.
Yup, exactly. Soccer you have to sell every single day. American football, it is already sold. Exactly, bro.
I don't think it has to be, but is generally helpful. I still don't see too many people on this roster that lead both by example and with their voices. One of our biggest problems we have is that we don't have those players to lean on to carry us through when things get tough. Who are the players looking to, when we truly need the play to turn a game around? It's supposed to be Barnes, but he just doesn't consistently lay it out on the line. I'm probably too harsh on Barnes, but that's because I think he has more in him than he gives.