FARK.com: (6749077) It's been 36 weeks in the making. The highest paid roster vs. one of the lowest. The primadonnas vs the journeymen. The Fighting Beckhams vs The Alamo Defense. It's your 2011 MLS Cup Final thread. LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo, 9PM on ESPN

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(MLS)		It's been 36 weeks in the making. The highest paid roster vs. one of the lowest. The primadonnas vs the journeymen. The Fighting Beckhams vs The Alamo Defense. It's your 2011 MLS Cup Final thread. LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo, 9PM on ESPN (mlssoccer.com)		115
		More: Cool, FA Cup Final, Los Angeles Galaxy, Houston, Major League Soccer, Los Angeles, Real Salt Lake, journeyman, Landon Donovan

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406 clicks; posted to Sports » on 20 Nov 2011 at 8:20 PM | Favorite | share:

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Langston

2011-11-20 01:57:32 PM

Pulling the homer card

Langston

2011-11-20 02:04:51 PM

Also, decent analysis on Fox Soccer: Ives Galarcep analysis

bobbette

2011-11-20 02:14:28 PM

I have no dog in this fight but I'll be watching. I can't wait for next year's MLS season.

Bientôt!

Kazan

2011-11-20 02:16:20 PM

maybe next year we can have all our guys healthy and NOT choke in the first leg of the playoffs.

in other news - we'll have 40k seats open for all our matches next year.

Generation_D

2011-11-20 02:41:45 PM

Stupid league playoff format. All four best teams were in the west, but because of MLS trying to emulate NFL, we get this instead.

SilentStrider

2011-11-20 02:47:13 PM

bobbette: I have no dog in this fight but I'll be watching. I can't wait for next year's MLS season.

Oddly enough, I'm in the same boat.
Here's hoping The Union manage to improve their offense after this year the way they improved their defense after last year.

/doop.

slayer199

2011-11-20 05:01:55 PM

I'm sure all 10 fans are quivering in anticipation.

I can understand people getting into the Premier League...but MLS...ugh

bobbette

2011-11-20 05:45:04 PM

slayer199: I'm sure all 10 fans are quivering in anticipation.

I can understand people getting into the Premier League...but MLS...ugh

Listen up, I've been a Whitecaps fan since they were 86ers, forget the EPL; they were playing in leagues that would exist for a year or two and go defunct, Canadian-only leagues, sub-tier divisions of sub-tier divisions that nobody had even heard of, with the only constant being Bob Lenarduzzi... and MLS fandom right now is still mostly about having a local team to support, but now there's something golden: much greater media attention and fan awareness. I think the quality is on the rise, and hopefully the MLS expansion will keep that moving in the right direction. I'm really optimistic about the potential of soccer in North America. It's a good time to be a soccer fan, and I think that goes double for young kids who are playing soccer.

cameroncrazy1984

2011-11-20 06:04:13 PM

slayer199: I'm sure all 10 fans are quivering in anticipation.

I can understand people getting into the Premier League...but MLS...ugh

You can't see a Premier league game in person unless you go to Europe.

slayer199

2011-11-20 06:30:22 PM

bobbette: Listen up, I've been a Whitecaps fan since they were 86ers, forget the EPL; they were playing in leagues that would exist for a year or two and go defunct, Canadian-only leagues, sub-tier divisions of sub-tier divisions that nobody had even heard of, with the only constant being Bob Lenarduzzi... and MLS fandom right now is still mostly about having a local team to support, but now there's something golden: much greater media attention and fan awareness. I think the quality is on the rise, and hopefully the MLS expansion will keep that moving in the right direction. I'm really optimistic about the potential of soccer in North America. It's a good time to be a soccer fan, and I think that goes double for young kids who are playing soccer.

You know, almost every kid plays soccer when they're young in the US...but as they grow up, most of them end up gravitating to other sports...football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey. Even MMA gets more fans than soccer in the U.S. Why? Because there are at least 4 other more established sports kids grow up watching. These sports are all competing for a finite amount of entertainment dollars. It's not growing because American kids are playing soccer (they've been doing since the World Cup was here in '94), I'm guessing any growth is due to immigration. Because kids from other countries grow up watching football/soccer just as their parents do.

Despite the fact that I refuse to ever watch the World Cup until they change rules regarding a shootout in the final (I'm still bitter over the ending of the '94 World Cup), I do watch the Premier League as I can appreciate the competition and skill there.

Generation_D

2011-11-20 07:39:59 PM

Whiny "soccer sucks" people will always mouth off, but attendance at MLS speaks differently.

Whiny "I refuse to watch because" ... well sure. I could refuse to watch the NBA because of Hue Hollins call on Scottie Pippen's non foul against the Knicks in 1995. Thats the level of stupid you are spouting. And by all means, keep farking the "soccer in America sucks" chicken.

Every year you get less and less right.

Meanwhile, I'll just leave these here:

i.ytimg.com

mjoven1975

2011-11-20 07:42:47 PM

Generation_D: Whiny "soccer sucks" people will always mouth off, but attendance at MLS speaks differently.

Whiny "I refuse to watch because" ... well sure. I could refuse to watch the NBA because of Hue Hollins call on Scottie Pippen's non foul against the Knicks in 1995. Thats the level of stupid you are spouting. And by all means, keep farking the "soccer in America sucks" chicken.

Every year you get less and less right.

Meanwhile, I'll just leave these here:

[i.ytimg.com image 480x360]

[farm5.static.flickr.com image 500x374]

The empty seats in both those photos aren't helping your argument.

bobbette

2011-11-20 07:43:20 PM

slayer199:

You know, almost every kid plays soccer when they're young in the US...but as they grow up, most of them end up gravitating to other sports...football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey. Even MMA gets more fans than soccer in the U.S. Why? Because there are at least 4 other more established sports kids grow up watching. These sports are all competing for a finite amount of entertainment dollars. It's not growing because American kids are playing soccer (they've been doing since the World Cup was here in '94), I'm guessing any growth is due to immigration. Because kids from other countries grow up watching football/soccer just as their parents do.

That's a very plausible theory for the US. I think in Canadian cities soccer is actually outpacing baseball and possibly basketball in popularity (Vancouverites, for example, give zero farks about baseball, and couldn't sustain an NBA team), but hockey and CFL are still well ahead of any and all other sports. MMA/UFC is quite popular as well, and tennis, and curling briers. I'm sure immigration has played a role in terms of people supporting specific soccer teams, but many of the people I know who are really dedicated soccer fans are typical white people/Asians who grew up in Canada, not recent immigrants. Team support for EPL or or World Cup is all over the map, but the new MLS has managed to really draw these people in to supporting Toronto FC or the Impact.

ADubs86

2011-11-20 08:33:49 PM

Should be a good game. I'm leaning heavily towards LA. Beckham has been in exceptional form, Donovan and Keane are themselves, and Houston don't have their talisman Brad Davis. Grand, they got to this final without him for 90% of the semifinal, but SKC have always been a weak defense team.

LA 2 - 1 Dynamo

/shameless self-promotion here, but first greenlight!

Trackball

2011-11-20 08:36:26 PM

Alamo Defense? Didn't the defense of the Alamo end in defeat for the Texians? Isn't the Alamo in San Antonio and NOT in Houston?

/dnrtfa
//Tried to but my browser crashed
///It immediately was back up and running as if nothing happened though

expobill

2011-11-20 08:41:02 PM

should be fun, last year's final was great!

monstera

2011-11-20 08:41:32 PM

I'm an ATL Chiefs fan, so I don't have a dog in this race, but I did the line for a U11 game today in the south Florida pouring rain and wouldn't have traded it for all the tepid light beer and chicken wings at the 'phins game. And it was a girls game.
/go soccer

expobill

2011-11-20 08:41:54 PM

bobbette: I have no dog in this fight but I'll be watching. I can't wait for next year's MLS season.

[www.whitecapsfc.com image 170x221]

[www.weltfussballarchiv.com image 176x200]
Bientôt!

Impact "for the win!"

Krayz

2011-11-20 08:42:30 PM

mjoven1975: Generation_D: Whiny "soccer sucks" people will always mouth off, but attendance at MLS speaks differently.

Whiny "I refuse to watch because" ... well sure. I could refuse to watch the NBA because of Hue Hollins call on Scottie Pippen's non foul against the Knicks in 1995. Thats the level of stupid you are spouting. And by all means, keep farking the "soccer in America sucks" chicken.

Every year you get less and less right.

Meanwhile, I'll just leave these here:

[i.ytimg.com image 480x360]

[farm5.static.flickr.com image 500x374]

The empty seats in both those photos aren't helping your argument.

Their average attendence of 17,872 is less than 200 than the Eredivisie and Ligue 1.

And above the NHL and NBA, though with the caveat with less games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_attendance_figures_at_domestic_p r ofessional_sports_leagues

Krayz

2011-11-20 08:43:58 PM

Well I farked up that link

Link (new window)

If this doesn't work, fark it

ADubs86

2011-11-20 08:47:02 PM

Trackball: Alamo Defense? Didn't the defense of the Alamo end in defeat for the Texians? Isn't the Alamo in San Antonio and NOT in Houston?

Houston's original name was 1836, the War of Texas Independence, during which the cry was Remember the Alamo. Yeah, I screwed up.

paj

2011-11-20 08:49:58 PM

Krayz: mjoven1975: Generation_D: Whiny "soccer sucks" people will always mouth off, but attendance at MLS speaks differently.

Whiny "I refuse to watch because" ... well sure. I could refuse to watch the NBA because of Hue Hollins call on Scottie Pippen's non foul against the Knicks in 1995. Thats the level of stupid you are spouting. And by all means, keep farking the "soccer in America sucks" chicken.

Every year you get less and less right.

Meanwhile, I'll just leave these here:

[i.ytimg.com image 480x360]

[farm5.static.flickr.com image 500x374]

The empty seats in both those photos aren't helping your argument.

Their average attendence of 17,872 is less than 200 than the Eredivisie and Ligue 1.

And above the NHL and NBA, though with the caveat with less games.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_attendance_figures_at_domestic_p r ofessional_sports_leagues

I have a feeling that stadium size might play a part in that, especially with the NHL. Arenas routinely sell out but most are 20k-capacity or less.

colslax

2011-11-20 08:50:37 PM

No dog in the fight, but I'll be watching anyway.

www.footballcrests.com

/Crew96!

paj

2011-11-20 08:55:12 PM

Well if everyone else is, I shall too.

phillyunionfooty.files.wordpress.com

Woolwine

2011-11-20 08:57:32 PM

Might as well

\DOOP

expobill

2011-11-20 08:59:17 PM

does mls epsn games start as EPL one, on time without 18 commercials?

alessandro

2011-11-20 09:00:54 PM

paj: Krayz: mjoven1975: Generation_D:
I have a feeling that stadium size might play a part in that, especially with the NHL. Arenas routinely sell out but most are 20k-capacity or less.

The average capacity of an NHL arena is about 18,300. The average capacity of an MLS stadium is about 21,900.

/if you trust my math
//and the stadia information from wikipedia

ADubs86

2011-11-20 09:01:54 PM

expobill: does mls epsn games start as EPL one, on time without 18 commercials?

Pretty sure it's just like their EPL coverage.. Also, the reason Adrian Healey was doing the match on Saturday is because Ian Darke is doing this one.

Foaming

2011-11-20 09:02:28 PM

Go Galaxy

paj

2011-11-20 09:03:47 PM

Just beckause:
cache.daylife.com

alessandro

2011-11-20 09:05:12 PM

expobill: does mls epsn games start as EPL one, on time without 18 commercials?

Games usually start on time. But kickoff is scheduled for 9:25pm EST, so enjoy the pregame show or come back in 20 minutes.

madden101

2011-11-20 09:06:20 PM

mjoven1975: The empty seats in both those photos aren't helping your argument.

Oooh! Empty seats! I'm sure there's never any of those at Raiders games! Considering this country's relationship with professional soccer over the past century, all the signs point to success. The league isn't being carried by one franchise (i.e. NY Cosmos). Increased media attention and access certainly doesn't hurt. I'm not a cable/satellite subscriber, but I've got the pregame tuned in on ESPN3. Overall, I think the league has learned not only from its early missteps, but from those made by previous leagues. I've read that Don Garber and others at the league now realize that, in its early years, the league was wrong to target the "soccer mom" demographic. Some of the most ardent supporters of the teams, particularly in the recent expansion cities, are young adult males.

Lord Jubjub

2011-11-20 09:06:51 PM

Go Dynamo

Stimied in a Rut

2011-11-20 09:07:19 PM

DC UNITED!!!! Hopefully we'll actually make the playoffs next year. As for this game, of course I'm going for the underdogs, come on dynamo!

The Divine Ponytail

2011-11-20 09:07:23 PM

I'll be watching this match - but until Atlanta gets a team, I'm only a passive spectator for this league.

steamingpile

2011-11-20 09:09:33 PM

So what are the odds for the ratings in the soccer game in relation to the football game or any other sporting event tonight?

It may beat the hockey games.

Woolwine

2011-11-20 09:13:31 PM

The Divine Ponytail: I'll be watching this match - but until Atlanta gets a team, I'm only a passive spectator for this league.

Same for me, but since the chances of Wisconsin getting a team are about the same as the chances of me dating Alex Morgan, I'm resolved to my fate, so Philadelphia it is (Don't know how I came to rooting for them)

expobill

2011-11-20 09:13:39 PM

Stimied in a Rut: DC UNITED!!!! Hopefully we'll actually make the playoffs next year. As for this game, of course I'm going for the underdogs, come on dynamo!

I'M going fot the galaxy until landon pizzas me off

Longtime Lurker

2011-11-20 09:17:17 PM

I'll be headed to Small Bar in Chicago wearing my Union jersey in a few. This should be a fun one.

/I have a feeling Houston pulls an upset.

ADubs86

2011-11-20 09:21:08 PM

What is this shiat band music they are playing during the walkout?

Koman Coulibaly

2011-11-20 09:21:42 PM

Delay of game on ESPN and ~~the~~ an MLS. Start the farking game already!!

Mr_H

2011-11-20 09:22:09 PM

I'm a neutral in this one, just hope for a great game. Kinda want to see Beckham get another trophy on another continent/in another league, but I also wanna see the under dogs win.

/closet thing to a home team is Columbus
//really hopes Michigan gets one of the expansion teams

sararenne

2011-11-20 09:23:27 PM

Go Dynamo!!

The most fun I have ever had at a sporting event was last year at a Dynamo game (it was against the Red Bulls I believe)...

We will be buying season tickets when the new stadium is built....

/other sports suck

Farksteron

2011-11-20 09:28:31 PM

I'm kinda neutral on this one too, but I would prefer for Houston to lift the cup

paj

2011-11-20 09:32:34 PM

Koman Coulibaly: [beta.theBoobies.co.uk image 426x312]

Delay of game on ESPN and the an MLS. Start the farking game already!!

Greatest referee ever in the house!

Lt. Col. Angus

2011-11-20 09:38:20 PM

Prediction:

When Carlo Costly gets in the game, he does his "fake backheel" thing within 90 seconds of taking the field.

Link (new window)

Longtime Lurker

2011-11-20 09:39:13 PM

Mr_H: I'm a neutral in this one, just hope for a great game. Kinda want to see Beckham get another trophy on another continent/in another league, but I also wanna see the under dogs win.

/closet thing to a home team is Columbus
//really hopes Michigan gets one of the expansion teams

I was in the same boat for years. I'm a Detroit sports guy all the way but moved to philly in 2007 and joined the sons of Ben when theybwere first starting out. If Detroit ever got a team is be seriously torn.

Farksteron

2011-11-20 09:40:34 PM

Longtime Lurker: I was in the same boat for years. I'm a Detroit sports guy all the way but moved to philly in 2007 and joined the sons of Ben when theybwere first starting out. If Detroit ever got a team is be seriously torn.

I expected so much more from the union that last game.. oh well...

expobill

2011-11-20 09:40:45 PM

beckham is incredible!

ADubs86

2011-11-20 09:40:54 PM

First ten minutes, it's been the Galaxy's game.

Oh Adam Cristman, that's why you're a bench player.

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