RSL Vs. Houston

Aerick · 10-11-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarette

Don't even get me started on the beanies... we went into the stadium at like 6:05 so we could get one, but they were all gone. At every single entrance.

I saw lots of vendors wearing them though.

CURSE THE BEANIE DEBACLE!!!!!

I actually got my wife to get ready to come to the game early so that she could get a beanie. We were there before the gates opened and waited in line - confident our early arrival would guarantee beanieship. Boy did I get an earful when there were no beanies left in the entire stadium!

That would be my one beef with the FO. They should have advertised that they had like 3 beanies to give away instead of saying that they were one of the free items to be given away at fan appreciation night!

It turned out that a handful of fans got appreciated, and the rest were depreciated.

At least I didn't lure 6 newbies to the game on the promise of free beanies.

Oh wait...

😠

I_Believe_In_Kreis · 10-11-2006, 01:43 PM

For me, the worst part about Beanie-gate was that I purposely didn't bring a beanie to the game thinking I would get one on the way in (at 6:00, mind you). My ears froze instead.

My $.02 on the player appreciation issue.....I agree with my man Genios. If recognition is what makes you want to be a fan, it's time to reconsider your motives. Personally I'm a fan because I like soccer, and I cheer loud because it makes my experience that much better. If the team likes it and they choose to recognize, that's just gravy to me.

soccerman · 10-11-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

CURSE THE BEANIE DEBACLE!!!!!

I actually got my wife to get ready to come to the game early so that she could get a beanie. We were there before the gates opened and waited in line - confident our early arrival would guarantee beanieship. Boy did I get an earful when there were no beanies left in the entire stadium!

That would be my one beef with the FO. They should have advertised that they had like 3 beanies to give away instead of saying that they were one of the free items to be given away at fan appreciation night!

It turned out that a handful of fans got appreciated, and the rest were depreciated.

At least I didn't lure 6 newbies to the game on the promise of free beanies.

Oh wait...

😠

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA there cowboy. I sure hope you aren't criticising the FO because a real fan would never EVER do that.

soccerman · 10-11-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeNioS

What is it that you want? Because what they owe you for your ticket is a game. They play it and you watch it. If you don't feel that they are giving their all and it's not good enough for you, then stop going. If you feel they are, in fact, busting their butts trying to win, then keep going. But for the price of admission, that is all you are guaranteed.

Well said. In addition I would add that you don't owe the team/players anything other than the money you spent to buy a ticket. If it's worth $26 for you to go to a game and do whatever you do then do it. if it isn't than don't.

soccerman · 10-11-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerman

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA there cowboy. I sure hope you aren't criticising the FO because a real fan would never EVER do that.

I mean NEVER EVER.
Not a true fan.

soccerman · 10-11-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerman

I mean NEVER EVER.
Not a true fan.

NO MATTER WHAT

rslfan · 10-11-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaveman

Not just the official autograph alley, but the entire SW ramp...
I try to stop by there after each game and congratulate the players as they leave, or wish them better luck in the next match (sure beats sitting in my car for 1/2 hour waiting to get out of the parking lot!). Do they hurry out the exit? No! They stop and sign autographs for anyone that wants one. They deffinately don't get paid extra for that, and are not required to do that (I don't think Clint ever did last year). You want some recognition for your efforts as a fan? Most players will thank you then, up close and in person, for your support of the team.

Couldn't agree with you more...The players(okay most of them) will sign autographs till the last person leaves..Sure, they could bolt from the stadium after the game but they don't. That's one way to show their appreciation. Have you stopped to notice how many of the players, on their own time and non paid, go to your children's schools to promote reading and the schools activities? Have you seen the RSL players at the current home makeover project going on? They are out there because they want to be there and not because it's mandated. Actually I was there on Monday and so enjoyed seeing Seth, Jamie, Nik, Jake and Adam having a hand in tearing down the home. We spoke to several of the guy and they were having the time of their life knowing they were helping this family..We spoke to Seth and Jamie and they were especially have a blast since they can related to families with disabilities since both of them come from families with similiar situations. And before the project is completed, you will see those guys assisting in building the house for this family...Maybe a player didn't personally give the unhappy fans a personal item of theirs, but what they are doing in the community says more for them than a material item. Oh and by the way, have you seen any of the Jazz players lately in the community?

Steve-o Pastorin-o · 10-11-2006, 03:38 PM

I agree and disagree with quite a bit in this. There are some players that are way better than others. It would be cool and nice of them to throw their jerseys in the crowd every once in awhile.

Andy Williams has given me the cold shoudler on more than one occasions. He was my favorite player in the beginning but has dropped far down in the pecking order.

Don't get me started on Clint. At the season ticket-holder autograph day last year up at snowbird, Clint swore at some 7 year old kid because he mistook him for Kries. The poor kid was so excited to see him that he made an honest mistake.

Klein is a really cool guy. At first I had high expectations of him and was very critical. One day my wife and I were in the waiting area of the FO and he came in with Kries. Kries had some business to take care of, so Klein started up a conversation with my wife and I. We talked for a good 30 minutes almost. He seemed to truly care about us and asked questions about our lives. About 4 days later we saw him again at the post Real Madrid game and once again he came up to us saying, "didn't we talk at the FO the other day?" and followed up asking about my classes and things we had talked about.

At the groundbreaking ceremony a lot of the players and Ellinger were approachable to talk to and for pictures.

I am not asking them to come over for sunday dinner and autograph everything in the house but a little more recognition would be nice.

praxis · 10-11-2006, 04:01 PM

I'm not asking the players to come to my house and do yardwork. I don't expect them to buy me a beer. I'm not asking the players to open up their wallets and shell out cash for me. By the tone of some of the responses you would think I had asked the players for their first born child.
Is it too much to ask for some recognition and/or respect from the players? In my earlier post i said it would take a minute to walk over to the section and slap a few hands over the bars or do a group bow. Show some respect and gratitude, something that is in short supply.
I'm not a fan because i want the loot, i'm not a fan because i want recognition. I'm a fan because they are my team.
If all you expect when you buy a ticket is a game, then why were people calling for Ellinger's head? The players went out and played and sucked. You got your ticket's worth. Why were people mad when Trey (or whoever) had some choice words for the RCB when they were chanting to fire Ellinger. They saw a game, end of story. If you go to a concert and the band plays for 20 minutes, no encore, are you happy about that? Don't you think that more could be done?
Again, a little respect and gratitude goes a long way.

Czar Jake · 10-11-2006, 04:57 PM

I'm with you Praxis.

I disagree with whoever said that RSL is just a product, and you buy a ticket to see the product, the end. A soccer team is more than a product you purchase, like a milkshake or a pair of shoes. Otherwise why do we have supporters groups? Because a soccer team is something we really care about, it is more than a product, it is part of our identity and culture.

I'm not (and I don't think Praxis is) asking for the players to make even a huge effort to be our pals - but would it be that hard to acknowledge those people who come game after game because it is really important to them? Even a thumbs up in our direction is fine with me, they don't even have to come over. Call me a Eurosnob if you want, but fans constantly say how MLS is great because they aren't these arrogant, ****y players like in the big bad European leagues. Well the high-paid players of AS Roma do TONS to acknowledge their fans. Not only just after and during games, but for example when one of the Roma Boys leadership died recently, a bunch of Roma players (and even some Lazio players, incredibly) went to his funeral. Totti gave his CL jersey to a Roma Ultras friend of mine because it was his birthday.

I personally do not buy a ticket just to see a product. It means a lot more to me than that.