US v. Norway in Hartford, CT July 14.

I'll have to tell my contacts at the breakers not to sign her.

 

I understand that. I've also been to WNT games where I've sometimes felt unwelcomed by the looks given me by the "butch" crowd that goes to these games as if to tell me, these are our girls. What are you doing here?

 

Lloyd looked like she was really getting fired up and starting to make things happen after the goal but was subbed out quickly after. I thought Rampone had an excellent match (and she was Sierra Mist Player of the Match so I think I'm not the only one who thought so). She almost had a goal.

The defense obviously played well. They were under pressure and didn't give anything up. Abby didn't look great - off night maybe and things seemed to be breaking down in the midfield so she wasn't getting the ball when and where she wanted it.

They are just coming off 2 weeks off. The practiced together that week in CT. Might just have been a little out of rhythm as a result.

Don't hate me for saying this but I wouldn't have minded seeing them lose this one. They haven't lost in a long time and it might be good to get one out of the way before the world cup. Might fire them up a bit too.

 

I'm not saying that personality should be used as a direct marketing approach all the time, (personality, not looks, they are two completely different things) but they did use that in 99 and it worked extremely well. The players themselves sold that 99 World Cup, they were pushing tickets at the sidelines of practices and camps and games. They invested themsevles in that tournament and in return, I felt invested in them. Here was a sport, a team, that was not all about one superstar individual who was raking in the cash and could care less about playing as a team, just as long as they got paid. In the days of high priced basketball superstars, overpaid baseball players, and cocky football players, here was a a team of women, who didn't care about the spotlight, who didn't want to be in the spotlight, who put the focus on what the team could do instead of what they could do individually. It was refreshing and I loved it.

 

They're still doing those things. After playing Saturday, Tarpley, Rampone and O'Reilly (who didn't play) stayed over and were on the field bright and early Sunday morning doing a clinic in E. Hartford for a bunch of girls. I'm sure there were other things they could have been doing like sleeping or enjoying a day off but they were out there connecting with those kids and selling the team and the World Cup. 7 or 8 members of the team did a clinic earlier in the week in Hartford as well.

 

Again, Agree. That's probably why I fell in love with that team. They had the WHOLE package. Great playes, athletic, good looks, wholesomeness, real soccer moms, political activism, etc. IMO that's why America fell in love with them and that's why they had a significant male following as well.

 

The still have all of the above.

 

My first ever soccer game was a September '99 WNT match vs. Ireland at Foxboro Stadium, and the only reason why I went was because my mom, who loves soccer, had no one else to go with. I had a blast, and I wouldn't have otherwise known about women's soccer, or soccer as a whole for that matter, if I hadn't given it a shot.

That being said, I think that the only way you can come to appreciate the WNT is to see them play in person. I love the local clubs here in New England, like the Revs, RI Stingrays and Crusaders, but going to see the WNT in person is a real treat for me. They're such a dominant team, but you wouldn't know it by the way they carry themselves. To this day, I think that of all the pro athletes I've come across, the WNT is the most personable group as a whole. You can't help but pull for them!

They're obviously not as popular today as they were back in '99, but hey, I'm gonna support them, and I'm gonna encourage my friends and family to join me whenever I go to a WNT game. Have them see the team in action just to at least plant the seed toward an appreciation for the team. And when WUSA kicks off next year, I'm gonna do the same. I, as a fan, feel it's the least I can do. They deserve so much more attention.

 

That same Ireland game was my daughters first soccer game also Naveda10.
It's stuck with her ever since. She was 8 at the time but I don't think you will find too many other 14 year olds that cried at Michelle Aker's farewell game, can tell you the WNT history in detail all the way back to that first World cup or who once gave up her birthday party and all her presents to go to Philly to see the WNT farewell tour game ( I NEVER thought she would call me on that offer!)
She was SO mad at Tony Dicicco, he was giving a lecture to her soccer club and he mentioned Michelle Akers and Carla Overbeck saying "you guys are too young to remember them"
We support them and I hope they get the WUSA right this time!

 

Why do you think that is? That they aren't as popular? What is the difference between the 99 team and the team now? Is it personalities? Skill level? I'm not being sarcastic or anything, I would truly like to know what other people think about the situation. For me, I completely fell in love with the 99 team (in the most platonic way possible ). I lived for the games, any mention on the news, any article in the paper or magazines. I couldn't get enough. While I still love watching the team and the games, I don't feel the pull like I did. Anyone else?

 

Marketing? USSoccer market the women? Ha.

It was Kristine Lilly Day in Connecticut Saturday. The governor's proclamation was read before the match, a Lilly highlights video was played, her whole family was there.

USSoccer didn't sell a Lilly shirt at the game. You could buy a Wambach shirt, but no Lilly shirt. In Connecticut, her home state, on Kristine Lilly Day.

Idiots.

 

Best guess on that one is that Lilly is sponsored by Adidas. Nike makes the jersey so they don't make a Lilly unless you special order it. That's why there are only Hamm, Wambach, Tarpley, etc. - all Nike athletes.

I didn't say it was smart but I think that's the reason.

 

That was my first game too. I was 13. I fell in love with the USWNT during the 96 Olympics when I was 10. The "personality" and how they sold the team definitely helped to get me hooked. Like others have said, you felt like you knew them. I always thought that when all my childhood idols retired, I wouldn't feel the same connection to the team. It's definitely different now, but I wouldn't say it's any less strong. I've been wondering if all the personality stuff isn't there as much any more, or if I've just been noticing it less as I've matured and my view of the game and the team has evolved. I guess it's a little bit of both.

The thing is, this team has quite a bit of personality too. They just haven't been marketed the same way. As a fan who's already hooked, I've taken the time to get to know this team, and I couldn't be more excited for the world cup and for the launch of the pro league next year. I'm not so sure if potential new fans would be willing or able to make the necesssary effort to get to know them though.

 

The main big difference is "Mia"! You have her on this team and the popularity goes back to where its was! She is the difference. You take her off the teams back in 99 and the popularity goes way down. Those others are great players as well but "Mia" was the main attraction that drew the people.

 

Seriously? I admit I only made it to one WUSA game (in San Diego, a looooong one-day haul from Tucson), but when I was there I was thrilled to see a diverse crowd that included plenty of men who hadn't been dragged their by their daughters. Same with WNBA games in Phoenix--I'm happy you're there. So it wasn't me.

 

I am always glad to see you at any game. Have never known you to be a "cult of personality" type fan. I suspect you are suffering from Mitt's withdrawal. If she hadn't gotten hurt would you be more likely to head to the HDC? Don't give up now when things are finally getting interesting.

 

That is an interesting observation. Is that a recent development? I ask because I remember a number of people observing in 1999 (and I myself observed it at the one 2003 WWC game I attended) that this was NOT part of the USWNT crowd. The people who told me this generally viewed that characteristic as one of the appealing circumstances about attending USWNT games, as opposed to some other women's sports contests.

In any event, if you paid for your ticket, you don't have to apologize to anyone else in the crowd for your presence.

 

I'll be honest, I've never been to a WNT game and observed this. Not saying it hasn't happened to someone else, just nothing I've ever observed, and that includes the last time we had the WC in the U.S. Now, I've been to WNBA games where I'm the "odd man out" but I've never been made to feel uncomfortable. Fans should be just that. Fans.

 

While I agree that Mia was a big draw just because she was easily the most recognizable name and face on the team, she wasn't the whole reason for that team's popularity. To quote David Letterman "Come for the Hamm, stay for the Brandi." Each one of those players on that team contributed to the overwhelming popularity. It's rare when one person can draw you in and you get absolutely hooked on the entire team. I think Julie Foudy once quoted during the 99 World Cup push "If we can just draw them in, they are going to like what they see."

 

There was such a huge difference in marketing back before the '99 world cup. Remember that they took a major gamble putting the games in places like Giants Stadium and the Rose Bowl. They needed to put butts in the seats, so they had those wonderfully creative ads that you saw for several months before the competition started. The cool part was that they were promoting the best players, not just the best US players (remember little Silke Rottenberg in her crib?). There was 'I will have two fillings', the Foudy reflex test, Ack! I know there was another one that was really popular, but it escapes me (short-term memory loss is a terrible thing). Help??

 

Foudy and Chastain in the produce department...

 

Shannon MacMillan kicking her pregnant mom. The Foudy/Chastain Charlie's Angel thingy.

 

Well looks like you fall into the 13 yr. male demographic..."Help save me from the marauding lesbians!!!"

Like I said when advertising companies....not just rappers and don imus; decide to treat women athletes with the respect and attention they deserve...the thoughts of 13 yr olds can go back to playing with themselves instead of deciding whats important for the general public.

 

Look, I'm not trying start a mean spirited discussion. I always have a good time at a WNT game and as some of you who've met me know I'm very social. I just stated an observation that I've had once or twice, nothing more.
Advertising companies are not in the business to do things for the general public, they're there to make money for themselves and their client.
When Aaron Rowand played for the White Sox, there was a whole contingent of women that would regularly sit behind center field just to check him out. If Rowands looks brought more women to see the Chicago White Sox, so what? That's great. Men shouldn't get mad about it.
The original question was falling attendance over the last few years for the WNT and my feeling is that as good a soccer team that this team is, they aren't as charismatic as the 99ers and for someone who wants to see a Women's Pro League start up and survive, it has me worried a little bit. I would love to see a Section 8 type of cheering crowd in Chicago next year when the new women's pro team plays, like they have for the Fire. IMO the only way that can happen is being all inclusive and cater to the male crowd as well, for what ever reason they want to come to the games.
On this board there's always a boarderline between trying to get a legitimate point across the way you see it and sounding like a pervert or something. Trust me it's not the latter. I love and play soccer all my life and I just want to see it survive in all forms.

 

Big Mac kicked her pregnant mom!!!

Arrest that girl.