12 replies to this topic

[fishtail parker]

i know there are many reasons for this, mostly that "our stadium" sucks, but i just realized something today for the first time that i at least think may be part of the problem.

when i was at giants stadium today i realized how often i see fans point to open space on the field, or yell "switch it," or when a play falls through yell out something like "i can't believe he didn't pass it to beasley instead!" maybe it's just me, but when i was in south america watching soccer, i never hear nearly as much criticism of the way players, coaches, and teams play the game. if i go to a game in chile or argentina, the fans don't seem to get caught up in the analization and criticism of the game, everyone just goes to the stadium to support the team. i have never been to europe or anything but i have a feeling that is how it is there too. of course people are going to be frustrated when players mess up or whatever, but if i go to a colo-colo game i'm not going to hear the hardcore fans cry everytime there is a bad play or talk about how bad it was, they just cheer the team and let out a sigh when needed. anyone else agree with this? i'm thinking it's just cause soccer isn't so popular here some people who are into the sport think they know everything about it even though they don't really know that much, they are just often surrounded by people who know nothing. they then feel the need at matches to show how much they know about the game by analyzing everything. any thoughts?

every time i go to the stadium i have a good time but leave thinking about how much cooler it could be if we all got involved. i try to but a lot of the time i have to admit i just can't get too into it- "our stadium" just blows and there is not enough passionate fans. anytime you have to drive to a stadium it just sucks, it ruins the whole festive atmosphere. and by the way, regarding criticizing teams, i think metro fans are allowed too because the way i see it we have suffered through enough mediocrity to be able to whine constantly

[IamMetro]

i'm thinking it's just cause soccer isn't so popular here some people who are into the sport think they know everything about it even though they don't really know that much, they are just often surrounded by people who know nothing. they then feel the need at matches to show how much they know about the game by analyzing everything. any thoughts?

You hit it right on the head. Many just make remarks on the obvious. Of couse the field and stadium suck. But being a fan is about supporting the team and the Americana mentality is to have you opinions shared. And it doesn't matter how stupid, idiotic, errelevant or just plain out assinine the thoughts are.

In central America, soccer is the same way you described it to be in Argentina or Chile. You go support the team through the good and the bad.

[G Wiz]

I have a hard time believing that South American or European fans are somehow less critical on the whole than American fans. For god's sake, players have been physically attacked for making mistakes down there. Nothing like that is ever likely to happen here. Yeah we all like to play Armchair Manager, but that isn't what keeps people away from the stadium. What keeps people away is simply the subpar product which American sports fans are not used to. We are used to the best players coming here to play pro-sports.

[JBigjake54]

when i was at giants stadium today i realized how often i see fans point to open space on the field, or yell "switch it," or when a play falls through yell out something like "i can't believe he didn't pass it to beasley instead!"

Maybe in SA the players play to the open field, switch it & pass it to their playmaker?

[IamMetro]

I have a hard time believing that South American or European fans are somehow less critical on the whole than American fans. For god's sake, players have been physically attacked for making mistakes down there. Nothing like that is ever likely to happen here. Yeah we all like to play Armchair Manager, but that isn't what keeps people away from the stadium. What keeps people away is simply the subpar product which American sports fans are not used to. We are used to the best players coming here to play pro-sports.

Yeah, they are. When fans flip out they flip out on the officials. Not the players. They always go after the ref or the side ref or some soccer executive. I don't ever remember hearing of a player being attacked by fans. Its thats always in England. We all know that England has its own isolated problems, but that is usually involving fans attacking the visiting team or what not.

The only two incidents that I think that you could use to back up your claim are in Colombia. The incident where the manager of, I believe, Once Caldes was shot and paralyzed. And the murder of the captain of the '94 Colombian World Cup Squad, Andres Escobar. But even then they are both non-soccer related tragedies. Once Caldes coach was shot by his wife for greedy reasons. And Andres Escobar was murdered for many reasons that nobody knows about, who knows really on that one.

And I agree we have a subpar product but its getting up there.

[Metro4LIFE]

Yeah, they are.  When fans flip out they flip out on the officials.  Not the players.  They always go after the ref or the side ref or some soccer executive.  I don't ever remember  hearing of a player being attacked by fans.  Its thats always in England.  We all know that England has its own isolated problems, but that is usually involving fans attacking the visiting team or what not.

The only two incidents that I think that you could use to back up your claim are in Colombia.  The incident where the manager of, I believe, Once Caldes was shot and paralyzed.  And the murder of the captain of the '94 Colombian World Cup Squad, Andres Escobar.  But even then they are both non-soccer related tragedies.  Once Caldes coach was shot by his wife for greedy reasons.  And Andres Escobar was murdered for many reasons that nobody knows about, who knows really on that one.

And I agree we have a subpar product but its getting up there.

Man, what planet are you living in? Players get attacked and critizied ever season. Alot of times it ends up being just "attempts" and security does its job. But even Romario got into to it with a fan once. And there have been many instacces during games where fans boo or sign insulting songs to a player/coach.

The difference is that in other countries when a player/coach is doing poorly or not putting 100% effort, the teams get rid of them. Also players down there have more of a sense of duty when they are playing for a team so you rarely see someone give a half assed effort. They may have a shitty performance but they give 100%, and when they dont, thats when you have the fan incidents.

Here players have nothing to play for. I mean what does a Tim Regan(just an example here) have to play for? I mean he make no money, the consequesnces if he takes a "day off" are very minor, no one except the 100 fans on these boards are gunna notice/care(the 8 yr old girls dont care). SO you can see where a player may not feel that sense of urgency and duty to do well and excell.

As for fans, its very dificult to get "crazy, passionate" fans when the team doesnt take itself seriously or charges $26 for a ticket. Major League prices for a minor league product(and that goes for MLS as a whole not just Metro). If you look at any sport the fans who express their passion and are rowdy are always the blue collar fans, who probably cant afford to go. Just going by yourself is expensive, let alone if you decide to bring a family or hust your kid. Its probably a 1 time summer thingm like going to Wildwood or something. Youll probably end up going to Sandy Hook more cause its closer and cheaper. Same thing with Metro, you go there once and splurge and then you just go to the movies or the park or whatever thats is cheaper to entertain the family.

[LA CHUSMA]

i really do wish that more south americans came to the games again. i have been to games in europe and in SA and SA is way cooler. all of us latinos need to start shit up. even if it's just a few of us, maybe some of the other peeps that used to come around will come back, or the one who never came, could get excited and come out... i know im dreaming here, but it could happen!

[regulator]

Man, what planet are you living in? Players get attacked and critizied ever season. Alot of times it ends up being just "attempts" and security does its job. But even Romario got into to it with a fan once. And there have been many instacces during games where fans boo or sign insulting songs to a player/coach.

The difference is that in other countries when a player/coach is doing poorly or not putting 100% effort, the teams get rid of them. Also players down there have more of a sense of duty when they are playing for a team so you rarely see someone give a half assed effort. They may have a shitty performance but they give 100%, and when they dont, thats when you have the fan incidents.

Here players have nothing to play for. I mean what does a Tim Regan(just an example here) have to play for? I mean he make no money, the consequesnces if he takes a "day off" are very minor, no one except the 100 fans on these boards are gunna notice/care(the 8 yr old girls dont care). SO you can see where a player may not feel that sense of urgency and duty to do well and excell.

As for fans, its very dificult to get "crazy, passionate" fans when the team doesnt take itself seriously or charges $26 for a ticket. Major League prices for a minor league product(and that goes for MLS as a whole not just Metro). If you look at any sport the fans who express their passion and are rowdy are always the blue collar fans, who probably cant afford to go. Just going by yourself is expensive, let alone if you decide to bring a family or hust your kid. Its probably a 1 time summer thingm like going to Wildwood or something. Youll probably end up going to Sandy Hook more cause its closer and cheaper. Same thing with Metro, you go there once and splurge and then you just go to the movies or the park or whatever thats is cheaper to entertain the family.

lol, lovin the jersey shore analogies. great post

[DoctorK]

I've only been to EPL matches in Europe, but I'd say the average Eurofan is quite critical.

Great point about ticket prices, though. They'd make the money back if they'd just lower the prices back to where they were in '95. Both bodies and energy just might return.

[regulator]

i've been to metros matches here, international matches (madrid, milan, ecuador, chelsea, brazil...pretty much everyone), and to international matches abroad (ecuador vs colombia WCQ, and ecuador vs bolivia WCQ).

at metros games, the only time i hear anyone even talking about the game is when im sitting with my family, or when im in 101. usually it's me doing all the yelling "HOW THE F*^*$& DID U MISS THAT MAGEE!!!"

at international games here, there is constant chatter and banter, especially when one team is doing poorly...the fans definitely do not just sit around and 'support' the team.

at international games abroad...the fans get very vocal when the players are performing poorly....whistles, jeers, references to their mothers and dogs....it all comes out when the home team is sucking.

so, i don't know where the notion of 'only american fans criticize the team'... i for one am not buying it

[DoctorK]

i don't know where the notion of 'only american fans criticize the team'... i for one am not buying it

I hear ya! You're more likely to hear "Oh my God, that MetroGirl smiled at me!"

[fishtail parker]

just to clarify my point a little about americans analyzing the game, i'm not implying that people in 101 are failing to "support" the team or whatever, i'm referring more to the people who sit on the side during the games. it's my impression that many of them don't associate themselves as big fans or supporters of metro, as if they aren't really concerned with being a part of mls. maybe it's just cause the league is so young and all but i know people who just go to a game now and then when they think of it basically just because they like soccer. when i sit with them they aren't concerned about the team winning or anything, they just go to watch soccer and it ends up that i hear them talk about where the ball should have been played or "how could magee miss that?" etc. i guess what i'm trying to say is that a lot, or at least some, of the fans seem removed from any real dedication to the team.....oh well

by the wya i'm not making 101 live myself or anything either but i do what i can and will always be behind metro

[regulator]

just to clarify my point a little about americans analyzing the game, i'm not implying that people in 101 are failing to "support" the team or whatever, i'm referring more to the people who sit on the side during the games. it's my impression that many of them don't associate themselves as big fans or supporters of metro, as if they aren't really concerned with being a part of mls. maybe it's just cause the league is so young and all but i know people who just go to a game now and then when they think of it basically just because they like soccer. when i sit with them they aren't concerned about the team winning or anything, they just go to watch soccer and it ends up that i hear them talk about where the ball should have been played or "how could magee miss that?" etc. i guess what i'm trying to say is that a lot, or at least some, of the fans seem removed from any real dedication to the team.....oh well

by the wya i'm not making 101 live myself or anything either but i do what i can and will always be behind metro

definitely agree with that (mls is a young league, people arent concerned with the team). however, there was a really satisfying thing i heard at the gold cup game...its kinda metro/mls related, so i'll post it here.

i was at the clubhouse after the gold cup final, enjoying some food and beer. i saw these 2 little kids, they couldnt have been more than 7yrs old, and they were taking penalty kicks at the clubhouse (using a wall as one post and a podium as the other post...no one seemed to bother tho, cuz they kept doin it for awhile). anyway, they would alternate turns, and each time a kid took a kick, he would 'pick' to be a different mls player.

man this one little kid knew his mls. each time he would pick a different player...the one that i overheard was "ok this time im gonnnaaaaa beeeee.....revs captain joey franchinoooo'.. i was like 'damn, i consider myself to be a pretty big mls fan, and even i didnt know the revs captain'

i guess what im trying to say is that hopefully, in a few years, all this catering to kids crap will finally pay dividends, in that the league (and metros) will have an established fanbase.