Debating The Real Madrid Friendly: With Jonathan Tannenwald
by Scott Kessler on May 19, 2011 2:35 AM EDT
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There's a line of thinking that developed out of the Seattle Sounders community called "trophies not friendlies" and has been trumpeted by the fine folks at Sounder At Heart for a long time now. The thought is that MLS needs to focus on enhancing its reputation and significance in order to gain media coverage, prominence and popularity.
Another theory is that of international friendly exposure. By bringing in "giants" from throughout the world, usually from top leagues in Europe, MLS gains exposure it would not otherwise have. It also adds coverage from news outlets that wouldn't cover MLS normally, or at least at the same level as the friendly. Moving a middle of the season MLS league game would, under this theory, be able to be moved to support a big time friendly without being "unethical."
There's no wrong or right answer in the end, because everyone's perspective on how MLS can improve itself in the short term for the long term is different. With Real Madrid coming to Philadelphia after the Philadelphia Union and the Sounders agreed to push back a game at Seattle's QWEST Field, both sides of the argument came to light on social media networks and other areas of Union conversation.
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Generally agree with everything Mr. Tannenwald says.
This is a no-brainer. This is the biggest club in world soccer, coming to our city, playing against our team. Make it happen.
Editor at The Brotherly Game. Madridista de corazón. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @joeysamuel
Hmm.
I see both sides of this argument. The MLS season should always be the first priority. I highly doubt Real Madrid would play this friendly during their La Liga season. On the other hand, Real Madrid are a huge name and there are a ton of little soccer fanboy kids who don’t give MLS a second of their attention. They’ll turn out for this thing. On that note, it’ll be a nice cash grab for both sides.
If it were a lesser side, and I’ve seen some west coast MLS clubs scheduling friendlies with West Bromwich Albion, I’d consider it a joke. I think Manchester United was an exception to the rule and I think Real Madrid is an even bigger exception.
Personally I’m pretty conflicted. I never miss a Union match if I’m in the area, but on the other hand the ManU friendly was a joke for Union supporters since most of the crowd were ManU fan kids. It just wasn’t a very good time. On top of that, if it’s at the Linc it’ll be sold through the Eagles and there will be large fees for every ticket purchase. My Union season ticket is very affordable, especially on a game by game basis. I expect a Union supporters ticket to this game to cost about $30+ with $10 in fees. Not very appealing.
At the end of the day, it’ll be a good time, get some attention, and hopefully no one gets hurt.
entertaining...
I do also see both sides, but think about why we watch, it’s fun, we enjoy it. I love friendlies, it reminded me of those Scooby Doo episodes when the Globe Trotters would come and help the Gang solve mysteries. The crossover is fun. Le Toux to Mwanga….the shot on Casillas, MWANGA SCORES!
It’s fun, enjoy it. See you all there. If Ronaldo is there, I bet my wife will all of a sudden be “very interested” in attending this one.
by FlaccO Seagulls on May 19, 2011 9:18 AM EDT reply actions
Right now, it's exotic
But 80% Eurosnob crowds watching 70% of the starters give 60% effort for 50% of the game will get old pretty fast.
But I can see where the Union are coming from. We in MLS are who we are and Real Are Who They Are, and no use in pretending otherwise, so judging what we should do by what they’d do is probably unrealistic.
'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'
No, it will always be exotic
It doesn’t really matter how big the league gets, if a friendly was scheduled against Real Madrid it would be a big deal. If Madrid played a friendly in England it would be a fairly big deal.
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Would it? It’s not like it’s that rare to see Real Madrid go to England for real games (UEFA CL). Hell, Barca is playing some sort of match in the country coming up sometime.
I’m not saying that Madrid playing in England (or anywhere else in Europe) wouldn’t be significant, but it’s much bigger here in the US or somewhere similar (Canada, Japan, China, etc.) because we neither have that level of stars playing in this country nor do we have such teams play matches here with any regularity.
It’s just a nonsensical argument from the Sounders people, who we’re learning are some of the most “sensitive” fans in MLS.
How does shifting a game around impact anything? This happens all the time in world soccer.
And let’s not even mention what the actual value of the CCCL actually is… Which is very little. This friendly against Real Madrid will bring money, exposure, TV eyeballs etc to the league as part of an MLS affiliated event. A CCCL game brings none of those things.
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Trophies not Friendlies is nonsensical?
Or Sounders fans not wanting the schedule to be changed because another team wants a friendly?
by chrisperry1983 on May 19, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem here is being short sighted. This match, whether it is a friendly or not, is good for league wide exposure. It brings a top team to the United States and increases the viewers for definately that match, perhaps even gain a new fan base.
With this change it gives the Sounder’s more time to prep for Philly. It also now allows them the opportunity to field a better team for their Man U friendly, really put the international community on notice. The Sounders have a great fan base, so a 70/30 crowd in the Sounders favor will show these other fan bases that soccer is alive and well in the United States, yet possibly another way to expand this league.
There really is nothing for Sounder’s fans to be pissed about. The people who should be the most pissed is the D2 school that’s game was moved, but I think the incentive they get whatever it may be will please them enough.
"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins
"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee
"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson
by Talon Talent on May 19, 2011 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
We are on the same page
If anything the Sounders are benefiting from this because it’s one less game earlier in the season against a good team with all our injuries (we might have some guys back by October maybe?) and the only real conflict I know about in October is if Seattle makes it to the USOC final again which I believe is a few days before or after this game. I am not complaining about the circumstances, and unless I’m missing something anybody who is complaining just doesn’t know what they’re really talking about.
I was mainly responding to Jason implying either Trophies not Friendlies or re-scheduling for someone else is nonsensical. If this had a negative impact on Sounders’ schedule, you’re damn right the fans would be pissed, and rightly so. Does it really make sense to ask another team to change their schedule so you can play a friendly? In this case it worked, but I think the initial reaction was that it would make things harder on Seattle.
And while friendlies are good and bring money and attention to the team, in the end trophies are what matter. I mean really, you can’t argue with that. Whether it is a USOC trophy (CCL berth) or Supporter’s Shield or MLS Cup (prestige, CCL berth, lots more press coverage) in the long run, trophies are more important than playing a game for fun against the B or even C squad of a world power team.
by chrisperry1983 on May 20, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought Tannenwald was spot on with the scheduling thing. It’s a non issue for both teams. It’s not too many games. This is not hurting league matches.
Like I said, every league in the world moves around matches. It doesn’t hurt the reputation of the league one bit.
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