How the Economy is Affecting the Casual Fan
This is an excellent SI article that while not specifically about MLS (in fact the article doesn't even mention soccer) has resonance for Galaxy fans.
This season especially has seen many of these, um, symptoms appear in Carson.
Beatlemania like screams every time David Beckham touches the ball. Flash bulbs exploding around Home Depot Center like so many LSD flashbacks. And generally uneducated fans who don't appear to appreciate they are watching a godawful team.
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane once complained about the lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford caused by a surfeit of the prawn sandwich eating crowd - read ignorant corporate types - sitting on their hands rather than supporting their team.
I don't mind rich guys subsidizing the masses (thanks Uncle Phil). I just don't want them taking over to the extent a sporting event becomes like a night at the opera. (It's depressing when fans tell me the nitwits behind them complain about them standing up - after a Galaxy goal has been scored!).
Of course, the Galaxy has been so abysmal this season there's been precious little to shout about, although the likes of the Riot Squad are doing their utmost (thanks guys).
But in the main it's a stadium full of people so thrilled to watch a global superduper star like Becks they can't see beyond to the quality of football on display. Which has, generally speaking, been crap.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy have increased their ticket prices each year despite missing the playoffs three years in a row (there's a prediction in there).
Season ticket holders reportedly dropped 15 percent this season. And are likely to fall again in the coming one. I'm getting more and more anecdotal reports via e-mail, on this blog and in person of fans who say to me: "I can't bring myself to watch this lot anymore. It's a waste of money."
That's telling me the knowledgeable fans who understand the game know what product they are seeing: a bland corporate one unlikely to get the most ardent soccer fans to return. They'll sit home and watch Stoke City play Hull City (no disrespect to Hull, unexpectedly lighting up the EPL this season so far) rather than support MLS.
The game is being undermined by the suits.That's not what the sport is about. The casual fan - such as families - who understand the democracy of soccer are endangered.
And if that's the case, so is the authenticity of the game itself.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook.
Thanks for saying both these things, Nick. The team was unwatchable for most of the year, and they've priced themselves out of my ability to take my (now nearly grown) kids and their friends to a soccer game.
Put those two together, and I'm afraid my Galaxy years may be reaching an end.
Very sad, given my memories of taking my very young children and their friends to watch Cien and Cobi and the gang play at the Rose Bowl. I had hoped my kids would pass on the team to their kids.
(Tho they could never pass the team colors on. I think the current scheme is the third. Or is it the fourth?)
Inigo Montoya and other unhappy Galaxy fans,
You are more than welcome to support Chivas USA!!! The Union Ultras will gladly accept you all with open arms. Even through the injuries all season long, Chivas USA players are showing their passion and playing their asses off. Affordable, Passionate FOOTBALL!!!
Nick, you're spot on. So is the SI article. Unfortunately, you've missed the point. The Galaxy front office doesn't care about soccer; it only cares about making money and becoming glitzy, like the Lakers!
Why do you think Leiweke ordered Hamilton to fire Schmid? Because "entertaining soccer" makes more money than "boring soccer."
Why do you think Leiweke signed Beckham in the first place? The masses will come to see a glamour icon and spend nearly $100 for his jersey.
Why do you think HDC and Staples concessions are so overpriced? Because of the whole idea of a "captive audience."
Why do you think Leiweke whined publicly about the salary cap? Because he knows that w/o his potential "all-star" roster of DP's, the Galaxy cannot and will not make money, let alone be worth $100 million.
Leiweke treats the Galaxy as if it were a rock star playing a venue. That's the only thing he really knows about. This is why the Galaxy will never make the playoffs as long as Leiweke has any substantial influence within AEG.
I predict a rise in Chivas USA STH.
I'll echo Michoacano's advice by quoting the 80's favorite Hair Band.... Journey
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love (cheers) means to me
Open arms
Living without you, living alone
This empty house (HDC) seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay.
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love (cheers) means to me
Open arms
HAhah! No Love for the ACB?
We've been rocking the Ga section since day one.
Honestly, these are the times when real fans are born. Anyone can cheer for Team Beckham when they win, but what about now?
Having said that, Michocano is right. There's room on the Chivas USA bandwagon if anyone wants to see a balanced team (money-wise and player-wise) challenge for the MLS Cup. No, you racist fans, you don't need to speak Spanish to join. We accept anybody, including recovering Galaxy fans.
That means you too, Nick Green. You don't have to hate on our goats all the time. Try it, you might like it.
www.unionultras.com
Nick replies: "That means you too, Nick Green. You don't have to hate on our goats all the time. Try it, you might like it."
Huh?
East LA Chiva, I've known Nick for a few years and I know he doesn't "hate on (your) goats all the time."
BTW, since when does legitimate criticism become "hating"? I've been accused by one anonymous correspondent (whom I think I know) of "hating" on the Galaxy. Well, if an incompetent management doesn't deserve criticism, then what does?
Frankly, I'm tired of this crap. This is where the whole "self-esteem" movement has gone off the rails into patent, infantile narcissism (and, no, East LA Chiva, I'm not saying *you're* infantile; I'm speaking in general terms).
BTW, East LA Chiva, you still have to pay too much for concessions at HDC, courtesy of Leiweke and friends. If Vergara really cares about Chivas USA, he will make the effort to build his own stadium and get out of AEG's clutches; he certainly has the money.
Having said all that, I will say something positive about Chivas USA. Management knows how to operate a salary cap and scout talent. Without Eskandarian, Harris, Kennedy and Dejair, Chivas would be toast.
I forgot Victorine. Sorry.
Well here I am again all the way from England and it sounds like you are starting to have the same problems that a lot of our smaller clubs have - MONEY!! Sad fact of life, the team I support in England, Swindon Town, was 1 day away from going out of existence until a group of people came along and put money in and the thing the clubs in the lower leagues have started to remember is the true lifeblood of any club is the FANS.
IE No Fans = No Club if the suits keep putting prices up, the true fans stay away and only the corporate seats get filled only there to say that they have been to a game.
You have to get a true fan base whatever the club and so that's how I have became a Chivas fan because of other true fans who talk to each other all over the world. So to all the part time fans, pick your club with care you might not be truly wanted - only your CASH!!!