Comments on: Commish: Best year for MLS http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2007/10/26/commish-mls-best-year/ A soccer blog featuring essays, news and photography exploring soccer around the world Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:48:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Thomas Dunmore http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2007/10/26/commish-mls-best-year/comment-page-1/#comment-550 Thomas Dunmore Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:51:49 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/2007/10/26/commish-mls-best-year/#comment-550 Matth, I understand what you mean entirely, and it can be frustrating. For example, below the Commish, the front offices and stadium security people who obviously don't understand soccer supporter culture. But one thing I'd add is that whilst I think soccer here should respect its roots as a global game and not "Americanise" too much, as a business it does need to do some things more like other American sports than like European or South American soccer. For example, on the promotion/relegation issue -- I don't see American businessmen investing millions of dollars in teams if they might get relegated. Until the game is more established and expansion is complete, that is. Matth, I understand what you mean entirely, and it can be frustrating. For example, below the Commish, the front offices and stadium security people who obviously don’t understand soccer supporter culture.

But one thing I’d add is that whilst I think soccer here should respect its roots as a global game and not “Americanise” too much, as a business it does need to do some things more like other American sports than like European or South American soccer. For example, on the promotion/relegation issue — I don’t see American businessmen investing millions of dollars in teams if they might get relegated. Until the game is more established and expansion is complete, that is.

]]> By: Matth http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2007/10/26/commish-mls-best-year/comment-page-1/#comment-549 Matth Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:24:26 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/2007/10/26/commish-mls-best-year/#comment-549 Whenever I read or hear something the Commish has said, I can't help but think, "Man, he sounds like an American." I cannot shrug the sensation that the sport in this country is run by a bunch of guys who just don't understand the heart and soul of the game. Anyone else get that feeling? It's disheartening, but I have hope that my generation will understand the important aspects better than Garber and Co. Maybe then, being a fan in the US won't be both frustating and often confusing. Whenever I read or hear something the Commish has said, I can’t help but think, “Man, he sounds like an American.” I cannot shrug the sensation that the sport in this country is run by a bunch of guys who just don’t understand the heart and soul of the game.

Anyone else get that feeling?

It’s disheartening, but I have hope that my generation will understand the important aspects better than Garber and Co. Maybe then, being a fan in the US won’t be both frustating and often confusing.

]]>