Ah yes, the return of spring. The fresh tulips, the bright green grass, and yes... the return of the 2009 MLS season. Unfortunately, the return of these things also brings spring quarter, filled with wonderful case studies and capstone projects which makes people like myself live under a rock for the past 2 weeks and not enjoy the friendly confines of soccer blogs and news outlets. The good part though has finally arrived in my mailbox this week as I received my first ever season ticket package and got to enjoy the first kick tonight.
First kick you say, or in other words the highly anticipated and epic match between NYRB and the Seattle Sounders in their first debut season seemed to turn a few heads tonight. First off, kudos to Brad Evans getting his first goal in unfortunate lime green this season. You shall be sorely missed and will receive my praise when you receive your merits at the upcoming home game against Seattle, and no doubt in my mind the same from the many faithful in the Nordecke. At the conclusion of this game, I think we all have to wonder is Seattle really this good? Or is NYRB really that bad. On paper, I feel like this game should have definitely went to the under performing Red Bulls, but Seattle seemed to dominate in every aspect. You could chalk this up to the fervor of the first ever game being played behind a large group of enthusiastic non soccer fans, but I wonder could this team be the next Chicago Fire? It will be interesting to see in the upcoming years with the introduction of 3 new expansion teams if the dilution of the MLS talent pool will put more favor on these expansion teams in competition for the cup.
Speaking of these expansion teams, news has leaked out these past few days on the announcement of Portland and Vancouver taking the 2 coveted spots for the expansion pool essentially creating a northwest corridor of 3 MLS teams in close proximity. A great thing in my opinion which will help stimulate the beautiful game in an area of the country where the MLS to this point has went under served, and develop a market which could potentially produce lots of future US nationals in the future. Can you imagine the rivalries that could potentiate out of this proximity? I know Portland-Seattle already has a heated rivalry, but this in my mind will be a great thing for the sport, selling more tickets and rapidly building up stronger supporter groups. My only problem though is where is the love in the midwest? How many times will St. Louis get passed over for an expansion team, and will this decision ultimately hurt the development of soccer in an area which has been known for its history of involvement in the sport. I would have truly liked to see one more midwest team, which would have created an equal distribution of teams over the whole country, but alas, perhaps pockets of regions in America with closer teams will stimulate the growth of MLS farther.
So now we come to the home opener for Toronto on the 28th. As many of you have read my past posts here on Crewture, I take great interest in the statistics of attendance and growth of our fan support in Crew Stadium. Reports have come out that season ticket packages have increased as much as 25% compared to last year, and a great push in the last few weeks to get people in for the home opener with billboard advertisements and ticket package deals show that the FO is trying to get a packed house for the home opener. I think our section is ready for another great year, we have the banner makers making banners, the new chant lists abound, and events from the Crew leading up to the game around Columbus show that generated interest is there among the public in our supporter group. Unfortunately though, a lot of times this doesn't translate into bodies in the seats and in my utmost want to expand the massiveness of our Nordecke, urge all of you like me, to open yourself to outsiders and invite 5 new soccer fans that you may see around your workplace, school, or social hangouts to the game this Saturday. I know... I know... I have read blogs in the past about the horrors of bringing your girlfriend, family, and some friends to games in the past and how they weren't receptive to the idea of our version of being a soccer fan. But I want you to take this time and realize that with the incoming masses of Toronto fans, the atmosphere aside from the playoffs last year could be more emphatic than any other time this year and being the first game of the season, has the potential to build a stronger section for our games later on in the summer when we really need to bring the support out. I call it the drive for 5... this upcoming week, those kids you see in your macro class with a european soccer jersey on 3 days out of the week, invite them to the game with you, invite them to Ruby's... show them what the Crew can really represent. That guy in a Liverpool jersey at the bar you randomly strike up a drunk conversation with, invite him out. Invite that co worker that sometimes asks how your team is doing. I know I'm bringing down a van full of people with me to Columbus, and am contemplating sending a student email out to invite more.... do what you can, because ultimately your passion to see our club succeed and grow rests with us, the supporters.
Can't wait to come home on the 28th.
3/20/09: The Drive for 5
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2 comments:
5 is not enough make a facebook group and invite all your friends. thats what i did. people just need to know the game is going on when i tell people they are like "all ready? didn't the season just end ?"
most of them are down for going. looks like ill be bringing 10 new faces with the black and gold mob
also looks like we are going to go to ruby's right when you guys start marching so we can march with you.
I say the Seattle-Red Bull game was fixed. I just can't believe that Seattle was able to win 3-0. I know Chicago did pretty well during their expansion year, but this is rediculous. I don't think the game was real. Season debut, playing at home, trying to have a sell-out crowd, it all just falls into place. The rest of the season will show what kind of team Seattle is.
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