I know there has been a lot of message board bickering that the Champions world games will not help MLS. I believe the combination of the Champions World tour, now the Women's World Cup probably heading here, I think they all will help the rise of soccer in the US. The Women's World cup could help WUSA by giving it a re-boost of energy, the 99 cup got the league started and this one may provide a new batch of younger household names to keep it going. As far as the Champions World tour, sure I would like to see some MLS teams go up against the top flight teams that are being promoted, but I also think MLS could do a bit of planning on their own, if they know these teams are going to be in the states then they should contact them on their own to set something up. I will say this, several events such as the amazing success of a not so promoted soccer movie "Bend It Like Beckham" , the fact that 60 - 70 thousand people will pay a ridiculously high amount of money per ticket to pack a stadium to see a soccer match just proves the fact that soccer is rising to high interest levels in the US. All of these things combined with the rising quality of play in the MLS, new batches of young phenoms on the rise and it is plain to see that soccer is on the rise. I don't believe that it is too far off that soccer will compete head to head with hockey as the fourth major sport. We are getting there, and whatever side you take on the champions world tour you should support any soccer that is played in the states because it all will contribute to the rise of the sport.
I believe the WWC won't be played until after the WUSA season ends, but I could be wrong. I also doubt that the Champions Tour will help, because the hard core fans are going to go the MLS games regardless and the people who are going to see David Beckham really won't come to MLS games to begin with.
What kind of sadistic person wants to watch Man U thrump (is that even a word?) the likes of DC United or Chicago Fire? I would. Seeing a great team from Europe square off against our homely teams of the MLS would garner fan support from Joe American. But that is for Joe. Anyways, I TRULY believe that the tour will help the love of soccer in this country...will it help the MLS? Well, Naturally. It's the fans that come and see the game.
The only thing that will improve soccer's popularity in the US is time. It's been what, 9 years since the WC here and soccer is not gaining popularity in leaps and bounds like everyone predicts. No WWC or Champions tour is going to have the magical "ah-ha" effect on the American sportsfan. Just look at DC's attendance for the doubleheader last week. All the young fans for the Freedom game left by halftime of the United game, while the Eagles and Barra-Brava sections were EMPTY for the ladies' match. We had one of the best showings at the past World Cup, and it had a negative effect on soccer both in the US and for US players abroad. It's time to stop worrying about the game's popularity on the boards, and time for our league to maybe make the games more accessable ($5 upper deck seats at RFK for example) for fans. We've got God knows how many soccer-moms in the DC area who probably have no idea about the teams down the street, or are too afraid to travel to RFK. (The Meadowlands, too). We have a huge Latin American presence who cannot, or will not, support our teams. They only show up to cheer individual players on our opponents (how about some support for *our* Salvadorians and Hondurans). MLS and the WUSA will have to be around for about 25 more years before we can see their popularity rival that of the "established" sports. Thx, Jay! (who wonders were this all came from) Also, didn't Fulham paste the MLS teams they played the season they were promoted? Also2, I paid I think $35 for my seat at Philly's new stadium. That's comprable to a top-shelf seat at an MLS game. JoeAverageUSSportsFan is not buying tickets to the Champions tour. (end soapbox transmission)
I totally agree. Don't take that as a "dis" on DCU. You could put any MLS team in it's place and still get "thrumped".