The only cup more contrived than the CONCACAF Giants Cup... and even CONCACAF had enough sense to pull the plug on that one
Yeah, what you're missing is the fact that most of us don't care about it. First, it was invented which is always lame. The open cup needs a trophy, MLS cup needs a trophy, most points out of 4 games doesn't need a trophy. Does every market combination get a cup? Met- NE have the chowder cup, one year clam the next tomato? Metro-Miami get the Godfather cup? (when Miami gets a team again in 2008). etc. When you invent one to hype it for BS marketing reasons, serious fans know when to laugh. Also, DC won the first one, so it gave us even less of a reason to care (though a lot of people might not admit that). One more DC trophy we didn't have. Third, Shep Messing was against it. During a game he once said (paraphrasing) "That means nothing to me. Don't invent a cup and give it back and forth to each other, that's stupid". If Shep Messing can detect the inherent lameness, bingo!, you've found a problem. So, if we win this Thursday or Sunday you might hear a "we've got Atlantic Cups in our Trousers", but that'll be it.
DC has started a field hockey team (complete with skirts) so they can win the *real* atlantic cup... And just to be sure, Ray Hudson has taken up yachting as well... NOTHING will stop DC from their pursuit of all Atlantic Cups.
It's only important to the DC fans, they make a big deal about it every year. I think the average Metros fan could care less about this ficticious cup as long as we beat them.
It looks like the Metros themselves value the Atlantic Cup more than their fans do..... http://www.metrostars.com/metronews/submissions/2003/september/09232003v1.htm "Atlantic Cup: The Metros need only one point in either of their two remaining MLS meetings with D.C. United to win the Atlantic Cup. D.C. United currently holds the cup as they took three out of four contests from the “Red and Black” last season. The Atlantic Cup is given to the team that wins the season series between the MetroStars and D.C. United."
Of course they do. It's a meaningless marketing tool. Something to parade out on the pitch and claim victory. It doesn't get us into the playoffs, it doesn't win us a "real" trophy. The team hypes it because they have to- it's their job. I don't begrudge them that. But find me that guy that votes with his wallet on season tickets based on Atlantic Cup trophies. DC won it last year and finished 10th of 10 teams. It got their fans through the winter? First pick in the draft meant more than the dopey Atlantic Cup. (well, would have if they didn't take Eskandarioops) Real fans know what the deal is. Winning the next three games means more to the team than a MLS marketing trophy. If we win the MLS and Open cup, they can keep the Atlantic cup at Summer's for all I care.
amen jamison. hopefully that puts to rest some of the mindless garbage floating around here right before arguably the most important stretch of the season...
http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/oped0924connolly.html Marc Connolly plays up the Atlantic Cup as well.... it seems that the D.C. Scum fans, the Metrostars, MLS, and some sportswriters all care about the Atlantic Cup...... except the Metrostars fans.... not that I'm faulting you guys or anything, after all, I'm not a "real" Metros fan; however I do think it's a bit odd.... maybe you folks are right, and everyone else is wrong.... I dunno.....
HOO-RAY for them. I personally fail to see the point behind rewarding a team for doing what it is supposed to do - win a game during the regular season. If you need to manufacture a reason to boost a rivalry or build fan intrest you have bigger concerns to deal with than who has the most points from a season series.
Maybe if we win the cup this year all ESC can march down Pennsylvania Avenue singing and screaming about the "Atlantic Cup". That would bring attention to it.