Comments on: Does anyone care about the SuperLiga?

By: Charles Adamek

Charles Adamek — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:44:15 +0000

I understand why people might not care. However, as a fan who actually attended three Superliga games, including the final, let me add one perspective.

The games themselves were played with passion, intensity and we quite entertaining. Good soccer was on display, frankly a cut above the average MLS fixture. What’s not to like about that? Whether certain fans “cared” or not, clearly the players did once the whistle blew to start the match.

Ultimately, if that continues, more fans will care. As a maiden voyage, it has to be considered a success.

By: CK in Big D

CK in Big D — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:32:28 +0000

MLS has long since given up on trying to convert the MLB, NBA, and NFL crowds and instead has focused on the numerous existing footie fans who already exist in the US yet ignore MLS. When Cuatemoc Blanco was signed to the Chicago Fire it only took a day to sell 5000 season tickets. The Mexican national team sold out the LA Colloseum while the US team drew 7000 just across the city. Clubs like Pachuga, Club America, and Chivas Guad can draw 40K to any arena in Chi-town, LA, Dallas, Houston, or San Jose. When Barca, Chelsea and the other Euro powerhouses play here, they play in front of packed NFL-sized stadiums. The MLS has finally wizened up and forgotten about converting non-soccer fans and focused on converting UEFA and FMF fans to MLS fans. That alone would put them on the sports map in the US if you know how many Latinos and Euro transplants currently live here with money ready to spend on soccer. It was estimated that Mexican-Americans alone are worth 800 million dollars worth of spending power. That’s enough to more than carry MLS. So if you don’t like soccer now, it’s not really a problem.

By: Brad Barnett

Brad Barnett — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:53:56 +0000

Altidore is a great talent, and will do nothing but improve with the veterans around him in NY. My only concern with Altidore is leaving to play in Europe, which is a major possibility. Americans, for some reason, do not care about the European leagues (unless we are football fans of course). It will be interesting to see who steps up for the US in 2010 during the World Cup. Maybe Clint Dempsey will step up and become America’s poster boy…maybe Adu…maybe someone we’ve never heard of…

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:09:28 +0000

What about Altidore?

Adu might still shine after his spell in benfica though

By: Brad Barnett

Brad Barnett — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:52:16 +0000

SP-I do not ever think that Football (Soccer) will ever be bigger than American football, basketball or baseball for that matter. The MLS needs to just cover the area that is focused on soccer and make their league the best they can, not an America powerhouse league. That goal is unattainable right now. As for finding an American Soccer Hero, we tried with Freddy Adu. That was a bust, and Donovan has shown no signs of brilliance outside of America. So we are left with Becks right now, and it seems that he has elevated the league and sport to another clientele, so we’ll see how long this trend holds on here in the States. Hopefully forever, but I can’t predict the future.

By: Corey

Corey — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:22:26 +0000

I’m with Ahmed here. Although few care about the Superliga in its inaugural year, over time it will serve as a piece of a larger strategy to incentivize growth of the sport in North America. Plus, even though $1 million is a paltry sum by European football standards, that’ll cover Landy-cakes’ salary for one year.

By: SP

SP — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:30:12 +0000

It is an audacious thought to imagine soccer overtaking baseball and basketball in terms of popularity for the US market.

The presence of David Beckham may help to elevate the status a little but to develop further, America needs to have its own soccer heroes to celebrate and idolise otherwise the interest will fizzle out in no time.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:39:33 +0000

Having a cup competition always gives teams another chance to win, and while the league may be the ultimate prize winning a cup can itself fuel growth and interest in the sport in that region.

For a fledgling football society like the US, I think it’s a must for football, even if the fans haven’t properly warmed up to it.

The fans will come around eventually as the marketing for these events improves and as soccer as a sport takes a greater hold in the US.

By: KyleAusGooner

KyleAusGooner — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:09:02 +0000

Ummmm, No couldnt give two shits, Let alone one.

I thought it musta been a Portuguese Cup, Now I think more people will know about the Liga since your post!