Comments on: DIY or Prefab? Portland, Seattle and Success in American Soccer Culture http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/ 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: Ryan http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-28377 Ryan Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:12:57 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-28377 Once factual error I think. This article states that the Sounders played at Qwest Field prior to joining MLS. They may have played some special games there, but the real home field was not even in Seattle. It was in Auburn about 30 miles south of the city. That's a major reason why attendance was only a fraction prior to MLS. That venue had a very low capacity and it was far from the city's center where everyone lives. For intstance, I live in Everett, about a half hour away from Qwest Field, but it's over 90 mins from Auburn so I would never attend anything in Auburn. By becoming a true Seattle Franchise by joining MLS and playing in Seattle they have been embraced by people throughout the region. Prior to MLS I think only fans in South Puget Sound paid any attention. Once factual error I think. This article states that the Sounders played at Qwest Field prior to joining MLS. They may have played some special games there, but the real home field was not even in Seattle. It was in Auburn about 30 miles south of the city. That’s a major reason why attendance was only a fraction prior to MLS. That venue had a very low capacity and it was far from the city’s center where everyone lives. For intstance, I live in Everett, about a half hour away from Qwest Field, but it’s over 90 mins from Auburn so I would never attend anything in Auburn. By becoming a true Seattle Franchise by joining MLS and playing in Seattle they have been embraced by people throughout the region. Prior to MLS I think only fans in South Puget Sound paid any attention.

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]]> By: Eve http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-27559 Eve Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:06:18 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-27559 Although I have a lot to say about the experience of a Sounders game(namely, that it is actually very authentic), in this post I would like to address the issue of the announcer. His name is Alan Hinton, and he is most assuredly English. He had a long, successful career with various teams, also playing briefly for the England National Team. He has been quite actively involved in the Seattle soccer scene for many years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Hinton The commentator who does the matches on TV is Arlo White, who used to work for the BBC, commenting on both soccer(football) and cricket: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlo_White Both are, in fact, real Englishmen(GASP!) Although you bring up some good points about the marketing, I would like to point out that it wouldn't have worked if their wasn't already a sizable soccer culture in and around the city. Both youth and adult soccer are very popular and successful. A couple of successful players are Michelle French and Kasey Keller, for example. Although I have a lot to say about the experience of a Sounders game(namely, that it is actually very authentic), in this post I would like to address the issue of the announcer.
His name is Alan Hinton, and he is most assuredly English. He had a long, successful career with various teams, also playing briefly for the England National Team. He has been quite actively involved in the Seattle soccer scene for many years:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Hinton
The commentator who does the matches on TV is Arlo White, who used to work for the BBC, commenting on both soccer(football) and cricket:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlo_White
Both are, in fact, real Englishmen(GASP!)
Although you bring up some good points about the marketing, I would like to point out that it wouldn’t have worked if their wasn’t already a sizable soccer culture in and around the city. Both youth and adult soccer are very popular and successful. A couple of successful players are Michelle French and Kasey Keller, for example.

]]> By: Sorry Revolution, I Cheated… « Soccer Soap Box http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-26587 Sorry Revolution, I Cheated… « Soccer Soap Box Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:08:08 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-26587 [...] a great discussion from about a year ago over at Pitch Invasion, which I highly recommend.  It talks to concerns that the “atmosphere” around the games are [...] [...] a great discussion from about a year ago over at Pitch Invasion, which I highly recommend.  It talks to concerns that the “atmosphere” around the games are [...]

]]> By: Portland Timbers’ New Logo: Fail | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-24510 Portland Timbers’ New Logo: Fail | Pitch Invasion Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:44:45 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-24510 [...] can’t fake this,” screams the Timbers’ MLS site, a not-so-subtle nod to the Timbers’ fans well-known antipathy to the Seattle Sounders marketing machine a little further .... Many supporters in the Timbers Army supporters’ group seem to view the new logo as a plastic [...] [...] can’t fake this,” screams the Timbers’ MLS site, a not-so-subtle nod to the Timbers’ fans well-known antipathy to the Seattle Sounders marketing machine a little further …. Many supporters in the Timbers Army supporters’ group seem to view the new logo as a plastic [...]

]]> By: Sam http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-21779 Sam Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:51:38 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-21779 The odd thing is, I think the reason why Seattle loves its Sounders is because it's such an authentic fan experience. The article seems to diride them for the opposite, though. The odd thing is, I think the reason why Seattle loves its Sounders is because it’s such an authentic fan experience. The article seems to diride them for the opposite, though.

]]> By: FC Dallas: We Are NOT Spectators | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-20123 FC Dallas: We Are NOT Spectators | Pitch Invasion Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:59:33 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-20123 [...] Dallas obviously have a serious deficit of such supporters, and given the success of Seattle’s marketing campaign, they and many other MLS teams have wisely chosen to try to appeal more to your active soccer fan. [...] [...] Dallas obviously have a serious deficit of such supporters, and given the success of Seattle’s marketing campaign, they and many other MLS teams have wisely chosen to try to appeal more to your active soccer fan. [...]

]]> By: MLS Cup and the Geography of Soccer in Seattle | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-16143 MLS Cup and the Geography of Soccer in Seattle | Pitch Invasion Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:04:35 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-16143 [...] the story of the Sounders’ business success this year has been well-told by others.  So I found myself thinking about the whole thing in relation to the broader scope of soccer in [...] [...] the story of the Sounders’ business success this year has been well-told by others.  So I found myself thinking about the whole thing in relation to the broader scope of soccer in [...]

]]> By: RJ http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/08/09/diy-or-prefab-portland-seattle-and-success-in-american-soccer-culture/comment-page-2/#comment-10240 RJ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:09:58 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=1950#comment-10240 An interesting article Benjamin. Speaking as an Englishman who recently attended his first Sounders game, I can assure you that the stadium announcer does not have a posh accent, authentic or not. I would hazzard a guess that he comes from somewhere in Lancashire such as Bolton where such flattened tones are common. His accent is almost comical and if you've ever watched the tv programme Phoenix Nights then you may understand what I mean. Other than this - I think the club/fans have created an interesting experience - a lot of passion and effort has gone in and I'm pleased that this has been rewarded by such great attendances. Whilst it's not really ground-up match experience, the club is only 1 year old afterall and some of the English premier league clubs I've visited could benefit from this kind of passion and organisation. Good luck Sounders!!! An interesting article Benjamin.

Speaking as an Englishman who recently attended his first Sounders game, I can assure you that the stadium announcer does not have a posh accent, authentic or not. I would hazzard a guess that he comes from somewhere in Lancashire such as Bolton where such flattened tones are common. His accent is almost comical and if you’ve ever watched the tv programme Phoenix Nights then you may understand what I mean.

Other than this – I think the club/fans have created an interesting experience – a lot of passion and effort has gone in and I’m pleased that this has been rewarded by such great attendances. Whilst it’s not really ground-up match experience, the club is only 1 year old afterall and some of the English premier league clubs I’ve visited could benefit from this kind of passion and organisation.

Good luck Sounders!!!

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