Soccer Fans?

[joeD]

You cannot judge the viability and economics of a "major" league based on exhibition numbers. What needs to happen, is, the European Soccer League collapses due to Russian ownership "problems" and then the league moves to America. Then, and only then, we can import passionate Brazilian referees and players and fans who will spill blood for their sport. Maybe Busch Stadium will see a severed head impaled on a stick in centerfield.

Truth be told Ollie,obviously, I am not thinking. Shoot first, then aim. Although, basically, we are on the same page.I would like soccer to thrive in a bigger way in the US. Skeptical that's all. And crabby. That's me. And Jim Beam.

[ollie]

haha, that Beam will do it to ya every time! I don't know that it will ever overtake NFL or MLB. Those are true American sports and ingrained in just about every kid and adult out there. I use to play when younger and have the passion for the sport, but I realize that most of my friends could care less. My kids however are working young adults paying taxes now and are also the demographic who has the money and time along with the desire to go see these games. They will be the ones who in the future will be going to these games all the time and taking their kids as well. OK, or at least I can hope so! lol Hey check out ticket prices to a KC Sporting game and you will see that they are probably cheaper than a good Cardinals ticket. That is appealing to a lot of people. Come to the dark side Luke!

[joeD]

Gawd, KC appealing. Truth be told, it is. That city is more progressive and committed to improving the welfare of its denizens than St, Louis. We are falling behind KC, Indianapolis, Memphis, and others in most social and economic areas.

OOps. Sorry. Debbie Downer alert!

Hopefully we can watch American (male, sorry) soccer in a stadium instead of a bar.

Skol!

Note: Appreciate the good wishes On The Fly 6.

[On The Fly 6]

I'd planned on going to KC for the Red Bulls game last weekend, but something came up. I would've loved to have seen Henry play.

[ollie]

18,000 screaming fans in a brand new state of the art stadium, hard to beat.

[On The Fly 6]

Got invited to go to St. Louis to see Real Madrid play Inter Milan on Saturday. Unfortunately, my wife is working all weekend and we couldn't find a babysitter for the little one on short notice. Grr!

[ollie]

54,000 plus on hand for that game. I'm telling ya, the time is NOW for St. Louis to have a team. Stan Kroenke could make it happen too. Here is an article from the Post from Bernie.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-carnival-atmosphere-for-another-friendly-match/article_6a3309bc-5ff9-52cd-a379-a518869905d7.html

[joeD]

Remember, this is EUROPEAN LEAGUE SOCCER. Not American. Our national team can barely compete on a world stage. It's one thing watching a single exhibition of 2 foreign teams (that happen to have the worlds premier players), and quite another supporting your local pro team on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Unless the ESL folds and comes to America, then, well, good luck.

[Quillback]

Remember, this is EUROPEAN LEAGUE SOCCER. Not American. Our national team can barely compete on a world stage. It's one thing watching a single exhibition of 2 foreign teams (that happen to have the worlds premier players), and quite another supporting your local pro team on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Unless the ESL folds and comes to America, then, well, good luck.

Yep that's a good point, the pro leagues in the US, NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL all have, for the most part, the best players in those sports in the world playing in those leagues. Watching an MLS game, it feels like your not seeing the best players, going to be hard to get a popular, well attended soccer league here in the US unless it has the best players in the world playing in it.

[ollie]

I'll give you the point that those games were show casing the world's best, but come on guys. When you have teams that are surpassing other leagues in attendance, how can you claim than no one will watch them? Seattle has an average of 40,000 per game, KC is averaging 18,000 and your going to tell me those cities MLB teams are drawing that? ok, I get it, you guys will never want to watch a MLS game and I'm ok with that. I did a little research though and this is what I came up with. I won't compare attendance records of NFL or MLB because they are true American sports that will be around forever and do boost a higher average. I will however compare MLS to NHL and NBA. MLS average attendance last year was app. 18,000. NBA average per game was between 14,000 and 21,000. NHL drew an average of between 14,000 and 22,000. And you guys are still going to tell me that no one will support a MLS league? Does MLS have the best players in the world? Of course not, but we do have many from the MLS that go on to play in the best leagues in the world, so we are producing world class players. Give it a little time and you will see.