Why do you insist on lamenting this false marketing ideal? Just as people who do not like basketball will not watch the NBA, those who aren't fans of the beautiful game will not come out to MLS/USL games. If you're such a marketing guy, then you'll know this one ... know thy audience.
Jason Davis
· 11 months ago
Oops. That should read "I'm certainly NOT an apologist".
Jason Davis
· 11 months ago
While I'm an MLS supporter, I'm certainly an apologist. There is a lot the league is doing wrong in terms of marketing, and I think it's going to take some major out-of-the-box thinking to do any damage on the American sports scene. I think it's incumbent on EVERYONE who wishes for the league to succeed to try and be a thorn in the league's side and throw ideas at them; we may just be fans (both apologists and critics), but if enough fans make enough noise, the league will have to listen.
dave
· 11 months ago
What on earth are you banging on about? What "poison"? Be specific, please. This piece is nothing but a lot of vague generalities. Oh and this is a howler: "They must figure out how to market soccer, the beautiful game, to American sports fans and not just soccer purists and/or soccer enthusiasts." You mean like indoor soccer? "Soccer" marketed to people who don't like soccer? Please. We have more than enough "soccer purists and/or soccer enthusiasts" in this country to make MLS and USL successful. Market to THEM.
Enrique
· 11 months ago
Mitch, what would you do differently to make soccer successful in America?
Mitch Howard
· 11 months ago
See the category American Soccer, and follow this category for more...
Mitch Howard
· 11 months ago
Enrique, that comment was for you about American Soccer category.
Enrique
· 11 months ago
I understand that there are different ways of going forward with soccer in America, however, I think we cannot convert people who do not like soccer. Americanizing the sport would lead to disrespect and it would be a detriment to what has been built already. We have to focus legitimizing our league, MLS has a bright future, even if it's not to the expectation of many or if it never reaches the level of attention fo NFL or MLB. There will be kids who will support MLS more and more even if they are a minority.
Bringing and developing more quality players for MLS is the most important part of the growth of our soccer. It will slowly make the league better and give it more support. The soccer fan in America is very knowledgeable and it will know the difference of good league and a bad. We see the support that Real Madrid, Man U, Chelsea, Barcelona get when they come to play here. There are fans but we have to convert them by giving them a quality league that will be respected around the world and can give them the good soccer that they like to see when they watch European soccer or Brazilian, Argentine and Mexican leagues. The question is are we are walking that path? I believe yes, although there are stumbles we are creating a base of fans that over the years will keep growing and give the league an identity. Rome was not built in a day and not in 14 years either or any other league in America.
NJ
· 10 months ago
I honestly think the problem with attracting the casual fan, is the fact that in most areas of the country where fans have an opportunity to see an MLS or USL team, there is very limited coverage on both TV and radio. In the Chicago market, we get some coverage a one off article, here or there, and I don't blame that on the writers because we do have writers that try (it is getting better though). However, on TV and radio, there is very limited exposure, little to no mention on the nightly news and no mention on the Sports networks. The casual fans needs exposure to the game before they will be willing to follow it.
Jonathan
· 10 months ago
The USL has made its mark. In the CONCACAF Champions League that is. I'm a person who has very little time for MLS. The USL results has made me watch the sole USL game on FSC at the expense of MLS games.
All Comments
Bringing and developing more quality players for MLS is the most important part of the growth of our soccer. It will slowly make the league better and give it more support. The soccer fan in America is very knowledgeable and it will know the difference of good league and a bad. We see the support that Real Madrid, Man U, Chelsea, Barcelona get when they come to play here. There are fans but we have to convert them by giving them a quality league that will be respected around the world and can give them the good soccer that they like to see when they watch European soccer or Brazilian, Argentine and Mexican leagues. The question is are we are walking that path? I believe yes, although there are stumbles we are creating a base of fans that over the years will keep growing and give the league an identity.
Rome was not built in a day and not in 14 years either or any other league in America.