The Perception of the MLS in England


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The interest in the US is the European leagues, not the South American ones. Look at all the friendlies that get set up with European football clubs...

I suppose that works both ways too as the European clubs want to increase their popularity in the USA and see if they can cash in, same as how all do a pre-season friendly in Dubai/China etc. In some ways it would be nice to see the USA become a competative league, but on the other hand you're too good at most sports already! At least leave everyone else football ;)
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?


As pointless as tits on a fish.

All best xx
 
I suppose that works both ways too as the European clubs want to increase their popularity in the USA and see if they can cash in, same as how all do a pre-season friendly in Dubai/China etc. In some ways it would be nice to see the USA become a competative league, but on the other hand you're too good at most sports already! At least leave everyone else football ;)
:lol:

As pointless as tits on a fish.

All best xx
tits on a fish are not pointless... sex and grub in one shot? Come on, that's a dream come true right there
 
I think some of the attacking play is decent no doubt helped by the likes of Kaka and David Villa who have gone over there in recent years. The standard of defending is shocking though, perhaps they need to woo some experienced European defenders to go over there and help them out.
 
I think some of the attacking play is decent no doubt helped by the likes of Kaka and David Villa who have gone over there in recent years. The standard of defending is shocking though, perhaps they need to woo some experienced European defenders to go over there and help them out.
Defending? The MLS is dead set against that. Americans aren't going to watch defensive matches and get excited. It's all about goals, my friend... goals, goals, goals... no defense - just score!!!!

pretty pathetic, I agree...
 
went to the new york derby last summer at red bulls in the away end with NYCFC and had a class day out, tailgate party, free craft ale for away fans, nearly everyone wearing colours, quite a few imaginative songs and loads of atmosphere. as a one off, it was an enjoyable 'day out' and i got quite into it being with the away fans. the lad who runs their independent fans group was quizzing me on exactly the same things, 'how can we replicate english 'football culture' and the likes. my answer was its impossible and pointless. they might as well develop their own culture to suit their country. they were certainly passionate, but theres no way around the fact that it will take generations to bed in, you cant fabricate that. the clubs need history, fans who have been around years, developing an identity. its typical of yanks to think that they can just 'buy' it, or copy it. some of it felt very forced. the away supporters were 'held back' after the match, however you could just walk along the rows of seats and go out with the home fans as their was no segregation. they tried to burn a Red Bulls scarf before the match which didn't really work, and they have 'derogatory' nicknames for their rivals which sound more like marketing gimmicks. there was a genuine good atmosphere for the whole game, and proper scenes when nycfc went 1-0 up, beer and bodies all over, which was nice to see.

the football on the pitch was utter shite, and i watch a lot of non-league
 
went to the new york derby last summer at red bulls in the away end with NYCFC and had a class day out, tailgate party, free craft ale for away fans, nearly everyone wearing colours, quite a few imaginative songs and loads of atmosphere. as a one off, it was an enjoyable 'day out' and i got quite into it being with the away fans. the lad who runs their independent fans group was quizzing me on exactly the same things, 'how can we replicate english 'football culture' and the likes. my answer was its impossible and pointless. they might as well develop their own culture to suit their country. they were certainly passionate, but theres no way around the fact that it will take generations to bed in, you cant fabricate that. the clubs need history, fans who have been around years, developing an identity. its typical of yanks to think that they can just 'buy' it, or copy it. some of it felt very forced. the away supporters were 'held back' after the match, however you could just walk along the rows of seats and go out with the home fans as their was no segregation. they tried to burn a Red Bulls scarf before the match which didn't really work, and they have 'derogatory' nicknames for their rivals which sound more like marketing gimmicks. there was a genuine good atmosphere for the whole game, and proper scenes when nycfc went 1-0 up, beer and bodies all over, which was nice to see.

the football on the pitch was utter shite, and i watch a lot of non-league
You bring up some very good points that I hadn't really thought about... thanks for that. Good post.

went to the new york derby last summer at red bulls in the away end with NYCFC and had a class day out, tailgate party, free craft ale for away fans, nearly everyone wearing colours, quite a few imaginative songs and loads of atmosphere. as a one off, it was an enjoyable 'day out' and i got quite into it being with the away fans. the lad who runs their independent fans group was quizzing me on exactly the same things, 'how can we replicate english 'football culture' and the likes. my answer was its impossible and pointless. they might as well develop their own culture to suit their country. they were certainly passionate, but theres no way around the fact that it will take generations to bed in, you cant fabricate that. the clubs need history, fans who have been around years, developing an identity. its typical of yanks to think that they can just 'buy' it, or copy it. some of it felt very forced. the away supporters were 'held back' after the match, however you could just walk along the rows of seats and go out with the home fans as their was no segregation. they tried to burn a Red Bulls scarf before the match which didn't really work, and they have 'derogatory' nicknames for their rivals which sound more like marketing gimmicks. there was a genuine good atmosphere for the whole game, and proper scenes when nycfc went 1-0 up, beer and bodies all over, which was nice to see.

the football on the pitch was utter shite, and i watch a lot of non-league
Sorry, I have to add that the MLS is very vocal about their attempt to emulate the football atmosphere in England and Europe. It's all over their websites. The LAFC has the supporters section and it attempts to compare it to supporters sections in Germany and England. Brussia Dortmund was even invited to play a friendly and is set as the standard as to what LAFC fans need to achieve.

The problem with American sports is that there is no depth in loyalty. Sports affiliations are not something that are commonly passed down from generation to generation - okay, maybe it is to a point, but it doesn't have the depth that they do elsewhere in the world. I think the problem is the instant gratification culture that exists here in America - it's what causes people to change team loyalty so quickly... it's not about what team you support, but what team makes you look good...
 
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MLS like a lot of other things in the US, has zero history attached, hence the forced imitation of a culture completely alien to them. It doesn't suit them and it really shows.

It's a really bizarre mish-mash of their money-driven sporting culture (see 'Quakes', 'Galaxy' 'Impact') with a bizarre attempt at a copycat of what they've been fed as being British Football Culture on the likes of 'Green Street' rather than a culture which has grown as a result of football clubs being intertwined with generations of families since the late 1800s. You can't copy that.

It's cringworthy because we are supposed to believe that a grown man is genuinely emotionally attached to a club that was founded 5-10 years ago in most cases, when over here you're assigned your colours at birth and you live and breathe the club.
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?
I think people have noticed it's getting canny. I watch quite a bit of it - Mauro Diaz is absolute quality and should be playing in Europe imo
 
MLS like a lot of other things in the US, has zero history attached, hence the forced imitation of a culture completely alien to them. It doesn't suit them and it really shows.

It's a really bizarre mish-mash of their money-driven sporting culture (see 'Quakes', 'Galaxy' 'Impact') with a bizarre attempt at a copycat of what they've been fed as being British Football Culture on the likes of 'Green Street' rather than a culture which has grown as a result of football clubs being intertwined with generations of families since the late 1800s. You can't copy that.

It's cringworthy because we are supposed to believe that a grown man is genuinely emotionally attached to a club that was founded 5-10 years ago in most cases, when over here you're assigned your colours at birth and you live and breathe the club.
The thing is that I don't believe that emotional connection will ever happen here in the US - the culture doesn't allow it. I definitely see what you mean about the "Green Street" copies. Even the LAFC has supporter groups that echo the names of the firms in English Football, The Expo Originals, for example. Every time I hear that name, it makes me laugh, but never to their faces. As much as I have enjoyed following the team and watching the matches, the LAFC supporters group (the official name of the combined group is called the 3252) is a scary bunch outside of the stadium...
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?

People are spoon fed the constant belief that the English premier league is the pinnacle of football. It's history and the money it attracts from overseas puts it in a strongest position for watched sports. It's an arrogant assumption and the majority of fans ignore other leagues. The media here plays constant coverage of the EPL, thus most other leagues don't have much of a look in.
The perception of the MLS is it's still a place players go to finish their career with a lucrative final contract. Which is true. Although I think the standard is actually quite good, people really don't concern themselves with the goings on in the MLS
 
The thing is that I don't believe that emotional connection will ever happen here in the US - the culture doesn't allow it. I definitely see what you mean about the "Green Street" copies. Even the LAFC has supporter groups that echo the names of the firms in English Football, The Expo Originals, for example. Every time I hear that name, it makes me laugh, but never to their faces. As much as I have enjoyed following the team and watching the matches, the LAFC supporters group (the official name of the combined group is called the 3252) is a scary bunch outside of the stadium...

The fact that googling them brings up their polished website and Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts says everything, yet they somehow don't see it themselves.

There's obviously nothing wrong with organised fan groups which are great for kids and away trips, but don't make out as if you are some sort of intimidating casuals-style group with a facebook account- it's one or the other.

Im not sure that there will never be an emotional connection though? Surely before the fall of Detroit for example surely all of those motor workers had a common team or sport that was passed down through at least one generation?

I just think that the MLS should have found it's own way, rather than trying to be a franchised imitation of an established culture.
 
Minnesota Utd is a bunch of rubbish to watch...Quality poor with respect to the English leagues
 
People are spoon fed the constant belief that the English premier league is the pinnacle of football. It's history and the money it attracts from overseas puts it in a strongest position for watched sports. It's an arrogant assumption and the majority of fans ignore other leagues. The media here plays constant coverage of the EPL, thus most other leagues don't have much of a look in.
The perception of the MLS is it's still a place players go to finish their career with a lucrative final contract. Which is true. Although I think the standard is actually quite good, people really don't concern themselves with the goings on in the MLS
The EPL is a marketing machine that has influenced football world wide and some football clubs have done a great job of being a part of that - you see all the top EPL clubs jerseys at the major sports shops here in Los Angeles: ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, etc - but apart from that, no-one really goes beyond that when it comes to English football - but it works.

So, yes, the MLS is trying to be the American Premier League, and I agree with you that it's not going to work. I enjoy watching the matches in the sense that compared to a few years back, the quality has improved - but I have never watched a football match in any other part of the world (my longest flight has been to Chicago and I nearly jumped off the plane halfway there - I absolutely hate to fly) so I don't really have much to compare it to
 
There are definitely entrenched, historical, emotional connections to Baseball and NFL teams. A Cowboys fan usually comes from generations of Cowboys fans. Yankees fan are as fanatical as they come. So I don't buy the idea that Americans are fickle sports fans. If the MLS is still around and healthy 20 years from now, I think you start seeing a more organic, committed fanbase who'll passionately follow their team after relegation to the USL or wherever.
 
Laughably shite.

Sky Sports News do a round-up of highlights of the games when they've been on and the presenters are practically taking the piss out of how bad it is.

The thing is a lot of premier league games are dismal shite, 2 teams desperate not to get beat in bore draws. I think we had 2 or 3 off the belt against west brom.

It's easy to mock other leagues but fuck me ours can be beyond tedious at times..
 
The fact that googling them brings up their polished website and Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts says everything, yet they somehow don't see it themselves.

There's obviously nothing wrong with organised fan groups which are great for kids and away trips, but don't make out as if you are some sort of intimidating casuals-style group with a facebook account- it's one or the other.

Im not sure that there will never be an emotional connection though? Surely before the fall of Detroit for example surely all of those motor workers had a common team or sport that was passed down through at least one generation?

I just think that the MLS should have found it's own way, rather than trying to be a franchised imitation of an established culture.
My experience with loyalty and emotional attachment to any team is through the eyes of someone who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Maybe it's different here than anywhere else. To that point, my father is from Chicago and a diehard fan of the Cubs, Bears, and Bulls so maybe it's different in other parts of the country. I don't really travel much, to be honest.

There are definitely entrenched, historical, emotional connections to Baseball and NFL teams. A Cowboys fan usually comes from generations of Cowboys fans. Yankees fan are as fanatical as they come. So I don't buy the idea that Americans are fickle sports fans. If the MLS is still around and healthy 20 years from now, I think you start seeing a more organic, committed fanbase who'll passionately follow their team after relegation to the USL or wherever.
I am probably not being fair in that my view is from someone who lives in Los Angeles and has seen dozens of people change their teams as to whomever is popular. A few years back cheering for the Warriors was laughable, now, you see more people wearing the Warriors jerseys here in Los Angeles than you do in Northern Cali... that's just one example of it...
 
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I would love to see the relegation in place here in the US, and like I said, you do hear talk about, but the MLS is fearful of how the average fan will react if their team is "relegated". In the rest of the world, fans stay loyal to their team no matter what (a la Sunderland:D) but in the US, team loyalty does not run that deep.


An adoption of all the other US sports. There always has to be some major competition to determine on ultimate champion. Winning the league for the best record? In the US that would be ludicrous. Have the best team from this side play against the best team from the other side and that way we know who the real best team is...

alright, I can see why you don't take it seriously over there:lol:
I know its an adaption of other US sports, I'd point out however Basketball, Ice Hockey and Baseball or the best of 7
 
I go to 2-3 Red Bulls games each year, either as a lads night/afternoon out or with my young son, and we enjoy it a lot. But the standard of play is a bit limited (although sadly not when compared to recent Sunderland standards). It's a bit laughable how many teams get into the post season (you have to be really terrible in your conference to not make it).
 
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