Some people in the US seem to want Man United to stay home this summer. Me included: http://mid-atlantic.matchnight.com/umindex.cfm?page=ARTICLE&show=2608
How does United's league performance have anything to do with the tour? They got off to their best start in Premiership history. Could the lack of success have had anything to do with the numerous injuries and suspensions the team suffered in the second half? Face it, if they weren't playing these matches to a crowd in the US, they'd be playing to one in Europe, Asia, or South America. All the big clubs (and many small ones) do it. The whole "go support MLS and leave European soccer to the expats and snobs" argument is tired too. And of course anyone who would pay, *gasp*, $35-135 for a meaningless exhibition match must be an idiot. Last I checked, there must have been a huge number of them at NFL preseason games (or really any Bears game after October). I agree that the One United North America plan is mostly a sham, but for fans of the team who can't exactly get over there for the important games, this is the next best thing. P.S. Nice little job of self-promotion. We've already got one Ian on here, any more and I'd get confused.
This shows why some Americans( not you Achtung) should not be allowed to see them. Some of you all are not grateful. People in the Caribbean would kill to see Man Utd , AC Milan etc.
I started playing soccer when I was kid, and started supporting Chelsea (if not following them close), when I was in high school in the '80s. I've never really had a chance to see the Blues in person -- until now. The Internet makes it possible for me to follow Chelsea like never before, and I'm sure the same is true for ManU fans here in the States. Anyway, so now I get a chance to see a team I've never been able to, and I'm a dupe for going? I don't think so. I'm happy for the creation of MLS (even if the closest team to me, the Burn, are stinkin' it up), but it's not the same.
well i read this article and the author is one of those love mls and forget everyone else... but he made one point that does piss me off... i am a big man utd fan and i saw them last year and paid 80 bucks for tickets and i was fine with it because it was the first time they would come here and there was no reaosn not to see them, but one thing that upset me was how they were selling tickets promoting the games last year as a way to see Becks when a week later he was traded; thats not right... but anyways... they come back this year and i was excited.. but then i go to see that tickets are 100 bucks.. now i was like "what the Fu*K"... they shouldn;t have increased the prices and this wasn;t right.. they are cheating the fans.. i dont like it..
Some people do not understand the simple rules of Supply and Demand. And, as much as I spend supporting my local team by attending a fair amount of matches, seeing Manchester United is 10 times better and worth 10 times more for tickets to me....
The fact of the matter is, the people who are attending these matches in droves, or at least those purchasing the tickets are 1. capable minded adults, 2. footy fans, who should know what to expect, and 3. for the most part grateful to see their favorite teams play - whether its a 2nd string or 3rd string team or whatever... I for one am very upset that I am in Trinidad while the tour is on (on vacation, sort of) and I miss my chance to see United - the thing is, I expect that many first teamers wont play and i want to go even more because i can see them anytime but its not often i get to see some of the youngsters, especially not against decent competition when they know a good performance might put them into the squad for the upcoming season....
I also think Champions World is a good thing for soccer in America. The fans who fill the stadiums for those games are like a carrot on a stick for MLS and they also show a general appreciation for soccer in America, from plenty of Americans as well as other citizens in America. The mainstream media does pay attention to those crowds. They're an annual symbol of what could happen if the sea change trend continues.
Let's face facts. MLS soccer is just not as good as European soccer. That's why the games attract U.S. soccer fans by the tens of thousands. Also, it's a hell of a lot cheaper to see Man Utd once a year in New Jersey than flying over for a game at Old Trafford. The one thing that does piss me off is the blatant promotion of all the top players by ChampionsWorld when they know many of them will not be on the tour.
I think its good to get some consistent media coverage for the games in America. Last year, the big newspapers in the tour cities had major articles on Man United, often taking up much of the front page. You just can't ignore 60K+ getting into a stadium to watch two massive teams play. Slowly the media are picking up on soccer, which is real good. Last week, SI had an article on the Greeks improbable run, for instance. I hope its a sign of things to come.
The one thing that does piss me off is the blatant promotion of all the top players by ChampionsWorld when they know many of them will not be on the tour.[/QUOTE] I agree with most everyone - it's great to get ANY opportunity to see Manchester United here in the USA (especially since it may not be again until 2007 - Asia in 2005, World Cup in 2006...)... I do find the Champions World advertising a bit disingenuous - I mean if the NY Yankees were playing an exhibition game overseas and the advertising talked about Jeter & ARod and then you found out Enrique Wilson and Miguel Cairo were playing instead you might be a little upset...
Ian's article isn't criticizing anyone for wanting to see their team--just the fact that these American tours are crass money making opportunities. If you want to pay, that's fine. Nowhere in the article does he say that you shouldn't be able to do that. It's just more of a commentary about how the major clubs seem to be more interested in expanding their brand than in training for the season ahead, and what the game of football in general is becoming. One man's opinion, no need to pile up on him.
Well, I don't know about piling on, but I'm entitled to my opinion about the writer of the article as well. United aren't the richest club in the world just because they sell a few kits here and there.... It's a PLC after all, it's the board's JOB to make the club profitable. We are lucky that they see continued success a major part of their business model as much as they do. Would I like them to go the extra yard when it comes to making sure they bring in who Sir Alex wants? Hell yeah! Do I have to live with it when I know they are being cheap and blow deals? Yeah, but at least it keeps us from becoming Leeds United instead.
While he doesn't directly criticize the fans, the condescension is laid on pretty thick. To me, the entire article smacks of having the attitude, "you're all being scammed and you're too dumb to figure it out." We hardly need this guy to save us from ourselves.
I paid about $300 for a plane ticket to LA, and then $60 for the game ticket to see Man U play Club America. The only thing that p!ssed me off is that they played some sorry SS mexican team.
Motterman--fair point. Achtung--that didn't bother me, because I've read enough of Ian's columns to know his style.
I enjoyed the Manchester United game last year against Juventus. It was the first time I ever saw the Man U play in person (saw Juventus play to a 1-1 tie against Udinese when I was younger..pissed me off that I had to see em again but thats what you get). The atmosphere was awesome and I had pretty good seats. But after they raised the prices this year I really lost interest for the Tour.
There is a large group of people that think Man Utd should stay home and are disrespecting MLS clubs by not playing them. I agree that it is a tad disrespectful but then again San Jose v. Man Utd isn't going to sell as many tickets as Man Utd v. AC Milan. As has been said, Man Utd is a company and has the perfect right to come to America to try and make money. Therefore, I think the anger is mis-placed. I think some of the anger should be more directed at America fans who refuse to support MLS because it isn't the quality of Man Utd (I know many of these people). I just get pissed at these people because they are ignorant. Man Utd has been around for a long time. MLS is 9 years old in a country where the majority of people haven't even heard about soccer. The only way that the top teams in MLS will compete with Real Madrid, Man Utd, etc.. in reputation and performance is when people start to support the teams.
I got into football because of Man U, specifically Cantona. Their play inspired me to follow the sprt as well as play it. As an American I am happy to see a domestic league in action, but I only have so much time and money to spend and I choose to spend it on watching EPL games and Man U. Plus, I'm 2 hours away from a MLS team so it's not convenient for me. I'll always support the US national squad.
MLS is so much ********. I do not know why some people would want MU not to come. I wish i was the USA. ( but where would i get the money i am only 13) . But instead big adults bitching about how they do not want them to come. I think the opposition fans got it wrong. Glory Hunters are actually in the USA( Not Every body though)