For what it's worth

DadOf8 · 07-27-2006, 10:25 PM

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GeNioS · 07-28-2006, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DadOf8

Efforts like the one against Chivas last night wont win any new fans and may even lose some.

Actually, if you were new to the game and yesterday was the only game you'd been to.....it wasn't a bad showing. I talked to someone from work who went to their first game last night....6 goals....some other close calls....they had a good time and will be back on Saturday.

The problem is that they are losing their "hardcore" fans. And if things continue on the field and off, they're going to continue to shrink. It's a mistake to just assume that your "hardcore" fans will come to the games regardless of performance. There are plenty of other ways for me to spend money.

But I guess I'm not hardcore. I do enjoy other sports more than soccer. Think I'm alone?

rabble-rabble · 07-28-2006, 07:51 AM

I have to agree that while Wednesday night’s ending was bitter for the long time fans who after watching countless losses and draws were eager to see a win for the home side, the casual fan probably left with a good impression. There was a lot of attacking and shooting and a lot of goals, with the long blast by Talley arguably the most exciting (although my favorite was Andy’s goal as the buildup was very nice). In short, it was one of the more entertaining matches of the year. I think a good number of the casual fans from Wednesday will be back whereas those who sat through one of the scoreless draws earlier in the month will be less likely to return.

montgjules · 07-28-2006, 08:34 AM

One of my neighbors came over yesterday and said she'd been to her first RSL game (she's heard me talk about my passion for soccer enough that she knew I'd be interested...) on Wednesday. She LOVED it. She was thrilled. She was obviously disappointed about the way it ended. But hey, even if we're not winning, games like THAT will pull the fans out of the woodwork because of the awesome effort.

dysko · 07-28-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeNioS

But I guess I'm not hardcore. I do enjoy other sports more than soccer. Think I'm alone?

I consider myself hardcore. I can't think of another sport that I would rather spend my money on (although lacrosse and rugby are close seconds). But, I do find myself contemplating not getting season tickets next year.

I am building a house, and while I am not going to save a lot by not getting tickets, I can use the extra money in other ways. I feel that it is important to support things that you believe in and want to see succeed. But, I am staarting to lose the belief that the RSL Organization really wants to succed. This ranges from some of the players to some of the players in the front office. I believe that there are people in all parts of the organization that want to see the team succeed... but it is getting increasingly hard to get excited about things.

End note being that even if I don't get season tickets I will still be at some games.

Merrill · 07-28-2006, 03:03 PM

Will there be a team to buy tickets for next year?

Genios is right. The Hardcores are losing faith. I am one of them and I can't summon any excitement anymore. And judging from the number of people we had joining in the chants on Wednesday night (something like 5 or so). It seems like all the excitement has bled out of us all.

I almost feel like I should start up a reprimand thread, calling everyone out for their lack of enthusiasm, but I can't do it, because I can't blame them. It sure sucked to sit and listen to the guy who was in town from Portland tell me about how much better their support section was, how much larger, how much more excited, and so forth.

I guess, when I find out that we will have a team for sure, maybe then I'll start up that reprimand thread.

the Bardguy · 07-28-2006, 03:54 PM

(warning...this post must be read while listening to "Hymn to the Fallen" from the Saving Private Ryan soundtrack.)

Since this is a "for what it's worth" thread, I'd thought I'd add something that I learned today.

I learned that Coach E and the team were promised a practice field last year, one that would be the team's...they could practice there every day and not have to worry about a) wondering where they were going to practice tomorrow, let alone next week, and b) the terrible effects of practicing on that damn turf. Someone said that it takes an extra day of recovery for a player after a game on that crap...let alone practicing on it every day.

I learned that the guys that I've dealt with at the FO, Trey (even with the occasional outburst), Keeney and Hunter are all top notch guys who are doing as well as can be expected at this point, IMHO.

I learned that our team is pretty competitive...how many matches have we lost by 1 point...we have indeed had some bad bounces and some poor judgment calls (Attiba, anyone?) and phantom offsides. Granted, it's not anything that other teams haven't had to worry about, but we seem to have a proportionally larger share.

I learned that the team thinks that we've turned against them...which I know I haven't, and I'm pretty sure that none of the rest of us have either, so I'm going to cheer louder for the guys, and woe be unto all others who enter the pitch.

Why the sudden enthusiasm? Maybe it's because deep down I feel that we're at a turning point. Maybe it's because I feel that we've hit rock bottom and there's nowhere to go but up. Maybe it's because I've got Saving Private Ryan playing in the background. I know it's nieve, I know that there's a lot to be said about being a realist...but dammit...this is my team. No, this is our team. (Building crescendo here). Let's go RSL! Beat DCUnited! Send them ALL "back to hospital."

See you all tomorrow.

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 07-28-2006, 04:34 PM

Great post, Bardguy. I'm guessing lunch with Trey was.....inspiring. 🙂 Check your boardmail - I've got a question for you.

I'm with you; RSL may suck, but it's still MLS soccer right here in Utah, dammit!

AreliusIV · 07-28-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

I'm with you; RSL may suck, but it's still MLS soccer right here in Utah, dammit!

Here, here!

AreliusIV · 07-28-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Bardguy

I learned that Coach E and the team were promised a practice field last year, one that would be the team's...they could practice there every day and not have to worry about a) wondering where they were going to practice tomorrow, let alone next week, and b) the terrible effects of practicing on that damn turf. Someone said that it takes an extra day of recovery for a player after a game on that crap...let alone practicing on it every day.

What's the story behind the failed Watford field experiment?