Do you think Leighton O'Brien is bitter?

Deuce · 10-05-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonMa

What, did you miss the smiley? 😉

Yes! It must have been because i was too busy watching where I stepped, Dookie Boy!

Super Phil · 10-05-2005, 12:18 PM

The city of Denver doesn't deserve an MLS franchise. Their attendance is a joke. If you watch their games on TV, all you can see is empty seats. If it wasn't for the altitude, games in Denver could be considered neutral-site matches because the sparse crowds provide no support for the team.

I went to Denver a few years ago, and the Rapids were playing LA. I got free tickets handed to me outside the stadium...and the crowd was still light!

We should feel bad for the Rapids players for having to play in front of such apathetic 'crowds'. :slobber:

Old Ska · 10-05-2005, 12:23 PM

Wow, I could have sworn that JasonMa (aka "JasonHorse" or "Jason?" in Chinese) used to have more than 2 of those little green boxes, whatever those are for. Huh.

JasonMa · 10-05-2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Phil

The city of Denver doesn't deserve an MLS franchise.

Believe it or not, the Rapids are the only reason Fake Salt Lake exists. Thie league doesn't survive without Phil Anshutz and he was only willing to invest if he could have a team in Denver with Marcelo Balboa. So you should be bowing at the feet of the Rapids thanking them for existing and allowing Fake Salt Lake to exist.

OK, I'll admit that last sentence was over the top...

Deuce · 10-05-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonMa

What, did you miss the smiley? 😉

BTW this is a perfect example why I am going to revoke your smack talking card!

I gave you the most basic of ins to a perfectly orchestrated cheap jab and the above is what you came back with.... That just makes me sad inside...

Just for the record the opportunity was this

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

why I said "I don't know the exact difference but I think

Notice the emphasis...
Jason.... YOU'RE FIRED.... leave your smack talking card at the door on your way back to Dookie-ville!

JasonMa · 10-05-2005, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce

BTW this is a perfect example why I am going to revoke your smack talking card!

Sorry, I had actual work to do (the horror!) and it took me off my game. Besides, there seems to be a lack of humor around here in some people so I thought I'd take it wasy on you. Yeah, that's it, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 😉

Super Phil · 10-05-2005, 12:34 PM

I have no problem with the Rapids themselves. Like I said, I just feel bad for them for having to play in a community that could care less about them. That smattering of applause when they take the field must really get the blood pumping! :dancing:

Aero · 10-05-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Phil

I have no problem with the Rapids themselves. Like I said, I just feel bad for them for having to play in a community that could care less about them. That smattering of applause when they take the field must really get the blood pumping! :dancing:

I don't think that the cheerleaders clapping should really count as applause.

Stucki · 10-05-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Phil

I have no problem with the Rapids themselves. Like I said, I just feel bad for them for having to play in a community that could care less about them. That smattering of applause when they take the field must really get the blood pumping! :dancing:

I'm thinking most of that applause is still for Tidy Bowl Man and the cheerleaders.

greenie · 10-05-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero

Fans cheering for US in SLC = 40,000
Fans cheering for US in Denver = 3000

And you really think that 900 ft is really going to make all that much difference compared to 37,000 more fans? Nice try. There really is no comparison between the two.

You know, you're right, there is no comparison. Denver is a city with a multi-ethnic population, economic diversity and a government not held over a barrell by religion. We can even buy a beer (gasp!) in our stadium.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that SLC would be better than Denver for a qualifier against Mexico. The Costa Rica weekend was one of the best USA soccer experiences I've ever had. But then again, so have been my last 3 trips to Azteca, despite the results.

What matters here is whether or not the local population will support the sport in the long haul. The National Team has reached a point of popularity where they'll draw huge numbers no matter what... but they're also still going to face the challenge of hostile fans at home, that is unless you pick spots like SLC for opponents such as Costa Rica. Tell me this, if USA-England were held in Rice-Eccles, do you really think you'd still have 40,000 "cheering for the USA?"

Give Denver a qualifier against someone other than Mexico and I think you'll see a bit more than 40,000 fans cheering for the USA. 8 years ago we drew 26,000 on a weeknight for a game against Derby County. In that timespan, the population of the front range has grown by more than half a million.

Hell, we regularly draw over 50K for July 4th, and despite claims to the contrary that is because the Rapids put on a good evening. It's not just the 'fireworks." The Colorado Rockies tried it on the 4th before the Rapids came to town, and they couldn't draw more than 40K (in Mile High) nor could they sell out Coors Field.

Besides, with ticket prices jacked up on the 4th, nobody is going to pay an average of $18 per ticket just to watch the fireworks they could see from the street for free.

Look, I'd love to see SLC keep strong with attendance for MLS games. I'd love to see your team break the trend of first-year clubs (and first-year stadiums) going gangbusters with attendance and then plummeting back to earth the next year.

But claiming there are "more" supporters of US Soccer in SLC is simply ignorant.