just read this little release on mlsnet.com. betcha' a dollar you can't guess which team isn't participating according to this link? (hint: only team with TWO home games in the proposed 2 week timeframe) MLS Aids Iraqi Youth
Too bad, I've got about 10 extra youth balls - both of my kids get another one every camp they go to.
Let me look into this: perhaps the Riders can set up an equipment drive to benefit this cause. The Magpie
Rev-eler, Actually, while not explicitly mentioned, if you read the bottom of the article, the Revolution should be participating: "In order to reach and surpass the 10,000-ball goal, each of the 10 MLS teams have initiated a ball drive in their local markets to encourage fans and other organizations to support this cause by donating a new or used soccer ball. In addition, each MLS team will donate extra balls and equipment on hand." Just looks like there won't be any collection at Gillette, at least from what I gather through the release. The Magpie
If you asked the Revs why they don't participate in this sort of thing (there have been numerous instances in the past where they've declined), my guess would be that it would be a logistical hassle to deal with collection of items, storing them, and getting them to whoever is distributing them. It's yet another drawback of having a skeleton staff. Forget about charity or "good citizen" comunity things that other MLS teams and other local sports teams do. I get the impression that if someone called in sick or had to miss a game undexpectedly, the Revs would be up the proverbial creek. It's like the A-League team who showed up at a game with 11 players. Tom
I just called the only real staff member that i have contact with (yes, "revs" staff)....and the person never had "anything cross their desk" about it and had never even heard about it. furthermore, i ended up walking the person thru finding the press release on mlsnet. 1. i would hope others call people they know over there to get more info on this and/or those that write on the internet for local rev sites would follow up on this and let us know. 2. i find it soooo disheartening to know that people who have been with this team for awhile may not even keep up with things published on mlsnet on a daily (or even longer) basis. there really is no excuse when you work in a 10 team industry with a centralized office and website.
just one more note. i've spoken to the mls office and didn't get a real answer why the revs aren't doing anything...only that "it was an organizational issue". most of the mls staff are off in houston, so pursuing it any further wasn't really going to happen. i was given assurances that it would be followed up on and that it would be seen if they could find a way to get us fans involved with their process. once again in revland...kraft telling us fans that if we want something done to help mls, do it on our own time.
i suppose, GPK, that one could look at what MLS is doing as "political"....i'm not sure i do. If you want to be one of those that likes to politicize soccer issues here on the revs boards, fine. (I suppose one can further argue soccer and politics go hand in hand in the first place). However, i was hoping it wouldn't get down to that. i don't think this particular thread could be found as offensive to some/most (including me) as the one that was found here pre-action. the facts are that iraqi people used to take pride in their soccer until uday (i believe) took over the "olympic" and sports movements in that country. its been pretty well documented how people on the national team were treated when they "didn't perform" by credible journalists and credible + varied sources. therefore, to me, even though there are many areas that would affect iraqi people/youth to a larger degree...it seems like this could help moral in small way. and that's all it is....a small way. if it meant that, in the process of going to a match, i could make a donation for something...i'd do it. the rapids do it for local food banks, other teams do it for various charities, and there's probably more worthy causes than this. but this is a soccer community and a soccer event. if this was to help soccer in tibet or some community in mass that could use it...i'd probably make a small donation too. but, i don't feel like fighting kraft (to make us feel like we're part of the mls community) and you (on whatever agenda you have)...so i'll bow out of this issue now and let it take whatever course the krafts decide it should take.
Iraq were once one of the better teams in the region. They qualified for the 1986 World Cup along with South Korea (back when it was a 24-team tournament and only 2 were from Asia). Although they were at war with Iran at the time, they were a credible team at Mexico 86, and certainly didn't embarass themselves in any games. Although they were last in the group, they played Belgium, Paraguay and the hosts tough, and had a respectable goal difference. If by giving them soccer equipment (or maybe food first) at least there could be a different focus on life than plotting revenge. But that's another question--why do MLS employees (the Revs as a subsidiary) have to find out from fans what is going on in their own corporation? Tom
Ges Rev-eler, you need to lighten up a bit. I was going to post: "Maybe the balls & equipment will help give these kids something else to do" But I didn't have a chance....Its been a very busy day in the mortgage industry....
apologies... however, from that simple link it seemed more logical to come to the conclusion to say "hey why help youth that want to kill u.s. citizens".....because it would seem to me that iraqi youth that feel THAT strongly about a cause aren't really going to "feel any better" if they get some soccer balls. wouldn't you agree? i didn't get a chance to talk to craig last night at the overdraught...did anyone ask him about this subject?