Galaxy vs. Chivas [R]

[AreliusII]

So, we have the first LA derby this weekend. Should be interesting:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-martinez20apr20,0,2288359.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions



I like this quote:

"Soccer is the only global commercial form of popular culture or entertainment not driven by Americans."

[SoccerPrime]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

I like this quote:

"Soccer is the only global commercial form of popular culture or entertainment not driven by Americans."

I guess we are trying to make up for it this weekend then. 🙂

Personally I think this whole LA Derby thing is going to be a big let down.
Galaxy by a mile.

[dysko]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Galaxy by a mile.

Goats Lite probably wont get that close... what is the MLS record for the largest blowout? It may be in danger.

[SoccerPrime]

I think Mathis (when with the Metros) personally beat the Dallas Burn in 2001 5-0.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

So, we have the first LA derby this weekend. Should be interesting:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-martinez20apr20,0,2288359.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions



I like this quote:

"Soccer is the only global commercial form of popular culture or entertainment not driven by Americans."

And he's right, if you don't count Nike. 😉

Also, don't forget the next line after the not-driven-by-Americans statement:

"[Soccer] still looks at the United States the way U.S. capitalists look at China — as a vast market of unlimited potential."

In other words, soccer isn't driven by Americans but lots of people want it to be, if just a little. Follow the money.

I completely agree with Martinez, who is no hack sportswriter--he's the editorial page editor for the LA Times, with a strong law and academic background. He also happens to originally be from Mexico, so he's got an interesting and informed perspective.

The last paragraph is stunning, considering past coverage of cheetos:

"For now, the Chivas must do better in appealing to non-Latinos. I was struck by the lack of diversity at the Chivas' last home game on Saturday, an ugly loss to Dallas. The exuberance of Mexican families claiming these Chivas as their own was moving, and I have never been at any sporting event where a higher proportion of fans wore the team's jersey. But the stadium was only half full, and it was pretty clear which half was missing."

Wow. Someone notices that it might be wise to market to the widest possible audience.

What he didn't say is that the fans who have shown up so far are mostly in the GA sections (behind the goals). That means two things--they're not selling many season tickets, and the tickets they are selling are the cheaper ones. In other words, they're not making much money.

As for the LA Derby, here's the news for the suits at MLSHQ--you can't manufacture a rivalry. There has to be history on the field, and both teams have to be good. A rivalry must be competitive. I know wev'e got the RMC, but that started with us--the fans.

Despite all that, it's clear that no one associated with the Galaxy wants anything to do with less than a blowout win in this game. They refuse to be the first team to lose to cheetos. If you thought they were tough on us, hide the kids and shutter the windows on Saturday night.

Oh, and it's a Galaxy home game, so it will be a sell out. 😉

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Chicago once beat KC 7-0.

Mexico's starting defense can't stop Donovan at sea level.

Unless there's a really big earthquake or Tsunami this weekend and Victoria Street ends up at the top of Mount Wilson; how are a bunch of guys not good enough to make the Colorado Rapids or Jaguares de Chiapas going to stop Donovan?

Off topic, but being an editorial writer for Pravda, errrrrr, The Daily Worker, errrrr, the LA Times is no guarantee of having 2 working brain cells.

(Reference: Robert Scheer)

But that was a good editorial that you found, Arelius.

This will take a heck of a Google Job, but I am going to try to find the LA Times editorial from 1998, in which one of their Cadres, errr, Commissars, errr, editorial writers said that Mexico fans were justified in booing the US national anthem at Gold Cup 98 and throwing Urine Bombs at US fans and players.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

"Soccer is the only global commercial form of popular culture or entertainment not driven by Americans."

Kung Fu/Hong Kong movies? Bollywood movies? Cricket?

What can you say about a newspaper that employs Graehme Jones?

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Kung Fu/Hong Kong movies? Bollywood movies? Cricket?

What can you say about a newspaper that employs Graehme Jones?

You forgot Rugby and Formula 1!

[StarsOnSunday]

Originally Posted by Rover

As for the LA Derby, here's the news for the suits at MLSHQ--you can't manufacture a rivalry. There has to be history on the field, and both teams have to be good. A rivalry must be competitive. I know wev'e got the RMC, but that started with us--the fans.

They don't even need to look outside their own city. Nobody who knows anything about sports would claim the the Clippers and Lakers are cross-town rivals. They hardly even recognize one another. History has established rivalries between the Lakers and Boston or Dodgers and Giants. Obviously geography is they only key factor in rivalries.

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Off topic, but being an editorial writer for Pravda, errrrrr, The Daily Worker, errrrr, the LA Times is no guarantee of having 2 working brain cells.

(Reference: Robert Scheer)

Trust me, I have NO faith whatsoever in the LAT. They've been hyping the cheetos for a year now, so that's why I was so surprised we got a reasonable editorial out of them.

As for Martinez, he's new enough to not have descended to Scheer level. I give him a year for the Politburo to get him in line.