A Measured Response
By: jon | July 29th, 2009I think going to bed last night before doing my writeup on the Champions League qualifier last night was for the best. As I looked online at all the familiar places, I noticed that every fan who wrote was angry as I was. I wasn’t to the point of clear thought last night, so I figured if I slept on it, I would come up with something more balanced to say.
I think all of this boils down to money. Pure and simple, this team has been run as more of a business than a football club since the signing of Marcello Gallardo. The prioritization of MLS Cup and the Open Cup (only when we got thru to the final) and most importantly, a meaningless money making venture against Real Madrid, show that this team is no longer about extending its reach to Central and South America and excelling internationally. The brass at DCU want to finally start turning a profit in the otherwise drowing-in-red venture that is the socialized MLS. You can’t begrudge them that they’re tired of always losing money. But, the team should be honest with its devoted and invested fanbase.
If this team can’t compete on all fronts (and it cannot), then give up your place in the Champions League. If you’re going to field a group of reserves with 2 starters, say that CL doesn’t mean anything to you, so the fans don’t waste their time. There are two options, neither of them appealing. A) They disrespected their opponent, thinking they could get by them with players like DiRaimondo and McTavish as a winger, or B) They never cared at all, and were trying to scuttle their chances, thus justifying playing the same motley crew the next week in the away leg.
I was fully disappointed last night with the team selection, the lack of creativity from players, and the inability of this team to go one game without making a goal-causing error. Also, I was disappoitned with this quote from Tom Soehn last night,
On team’s chemistry with scattered lineup
I think every game offers new challenges. I know this – that on Saturday [vs. Houston] we’re going to focus on Saturday and pick up the pieces after that and we’ll worry about Tuesday [at Firpo], but Saturday is a very important game.
Screw off, Tom. A midseason game against a Western Conference team is NOT uber important. What’s important, at least to the fans if no one else, is getting past Firpo and into group play. Disgraceful.
Like commentors on Soccer Insider said last night, this will be the last time I attend an international game of theirs until they show the fans that they actually give a shit about it. We spend time and energy supporting this club, and last night was an awfully strange way of repaying that loyalty.
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Comments
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Amen. Well said.
Posted from
United States
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Well, where to start?
Loved Szetela’s contribution, and I can’t wait to see what happens with him once he truly gets to know how the players around him play. His competitive fire reminds me of the one and only Ben Olsen.
Broke my heart to see the up and down play of McTavish. One of the nicest guys (if not THE nicest) who represents the Black and Red. About the best thing you can say was that he was better than Janicki.
As for the priorities, it seems to me that the team is trying to impress a specific audience. Mainly, local government officials. Those people can look in the standings and see what place United is in. The powers that be might be able to vaguely understand a domestic cup like the US Open Cup. There’s no way they know what ConCaCaf is, or the Champion’s League, or understand the importance of it. There’s an excellent chance that local officials might even think the US Open Cup is more prestigious than the CL. We’re talking about neophytes here.
Likewise, I understand the importance placed on a friendly like the upcoming one with Real Madrid. Some of these officials might only have heard of two or three international clubs, and Real Madrid is one of them. You and I may know the game has no competitive importance, but putting 60,000 asses in the seats can go a long way to impressing upon these people that DC United is relevant in this area.
I really don’t think the club doesn’t care about the CL, or that they underestimated Firpo. My thinking is that they DO want to grow the brand internationally, but right now, the number one priority is the stadium. Period. Anything that can or might further that goal is top priority, and will continue to be until the shovel hits the earth.
Posted from
United States -
But Spectre, neophytes though they may be, they’ll understand that 50k of those 60k are there to see RM, and only have to look at the empty seats when DC plays RSL to know that we aren’t going to be drawing 20k every night. And do you really think the thing that will make gov. officials fight for the stadium is the league place? We’ve won and won and won, and won before, and no stadium had appeared then.
The league may be the priority, but I still believe that lineup was a joke.Posted from
United States -
In their minds I still think if United plays in front of 60,000 it is nothing but promising in their eyes. Regardless of why the fans are there, there are still 60,000 people watching a DC United game. It’s also important to remember that United paid $1 million for Real Madrid to come. 60,000 tickets sold simply means that they break even. This is about publicity, not a money grab.
Those times in the past when we were winning were under various different climates. First, it was the Redskins that wanted a new stadium, then the Expos. Now that it’s our turn, the economy is in the crapper. Not to mention that when Victor was involved, the parameters of the stadium deal were different. Now that it’s just Chang (and JUST a stadium – no development hangups) talks are heating up again. All this you know already of course.
My point is that in presenting an image of a successful team to local officials, the things that are important to you or I may not carry as much weight as we’d like.
Stay Well! (and check your email)
Posted from
United States
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