The Problem With USA Soccer
Actually... The problem with USA soccer's audience(s).
A family wrote an open letter regarding their being turned off by the "mob mentality" at a Portland Timbers game. The letter blames The Timbers Army for antics that "have the potential to turn off the same kinds of fans (read: families) that would help the organization financially thrive should the MLS dream come through."
They continue:
"Minor league sports and Portland in general always has had a bit of an accepted counter culture. I get that, but MLS and fans will NOT fill your new stadium with a cheering section behind the net dropping F-BOMBS in their chants all night long. You have some of the foulest fans in all of sports. This is not England and you should not tolerate Portland Timbers Hooligans. On three occasions I had to move my boys further away from your "fans". "
To further clarify their position and drive it home to me, a Bay Area football supporter, they add:
" I've supported the San Jose Earthquakes, the Chico Rooks (USISL) and the Blazers. Not one of these ownership groups would tolerate what I witnessed behind the net...
Your future rides on your ability to sell seats and there are simply not enough soccer drunks in Portland to pay the bills. Your target market is the large family willing to drop a couple hundred bucks on tickets and then fill up on concessions and gear."
Wow! It might be difficult to find one who doesn't understand football more or who doesn't want to get it.
However, it would seem this is the target audience of MLS. It certainly has been the target audience of clubs like San Jose Earthquakes. It is also what is wrong with soccer in this country and what will ultimately not help broaden the sports appeal.
The Timbers Army politely responded and told this letter writer a thing or two.
A family wrote an open letter regarding their being turned off by the "mob mentality" at a Portland Timbers game. The letter blames The Timbers Army for antics that "have the potential to turn off the same kinds of fans (read: families) that would help the organization financially thrive should the MLS dream come through."
They continue:
"Minor league sports and Portland in general always has had a bit of an accepted counter culture. I get that, but MLS and fans will NOT fill your new stadium with a cheering section behind the net dropping F-BOMBS in their chants all night long. You have some of the foulest fans in all of sports. This is not England and you should not tolerate Portland Timbers Hooligans. On three occasions I had to move my boys further away from your "fans". "
To further clarify their position and drive it home to me, a Bay Area football supporter, they add:
" I've supported the San Jose Earthquakes, the Chico Rooks (USISL) and the Blazers. Not one of these ownership groups would tolerate what I witnessed behind the net...
Your future rides on your ability to sell seats and there are simply not enough soccer drunks in Portland to pay the bills. Your target market is the large family willing to drop a couple hundred bucks on tickets and then fill up on concessions and gear."
Wow! It might be difficult to find one who doesn't understand football more or who doesn't want to get it.
However, it would seem this is the target audience of MLS. It certainly has been the target audience of clubs like San Jose Earthquakes. It is also what is wrong with soccer in this country and what will ultimately not help broaden the sports appeal.
The Timbers Army politely responded and told this letter writer a thing or two.
posted by shane at 7:05 PM
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