The Perception of the MLS in England


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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?
A five word answer: Bradley Wright Phillips Jose Altidore. They wandered round PL pitches like lost sheep/babes in the Wood/rudderless ships etc etc. Way out of their depth.....and we speak as SAFC fans who’ve seen a lot of that behaviour over the years.
Great user name btw.
 
I've been watching this season for the first time cos Johnny Russell decided to turn down a big contract at Derby to play there. From what i've seen games are very open, there's loads of goals/chances, the defending/organisation is shocking but the atmosphere at the game is better than your average Championship game over here. I'll watch it on a Sunday night over Spanish football because i'm sick of calculated, cynical European football, it's something different and reminds me of when i first started going back in the late 70's

I went to the World Cup in Germany 2006 and there were loads of Yanks over there, middle aged blokes on freebies from drinks, credit card companies etc and they stood out a mile, dumb Americans over in Europe shouting about the NFL and the rest. In South Africa it was different, lots of young Americans driving around the country to games, helping each other get tickets, they loved the game and the culture.

It's happening over there but its still going to take another couple of decades
 
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

Good luck to the MLS........hope it keeps improving because football (when played correctly) is a brilliant g sport. I'm glad it's becoming more popular in the states. I suspect it's lower in the pecking order of US sports despite the vast resources the US can throw at....well frankly anything!
Out of interest, Are the fans segregated in MLS games like in the EPL? Or are fans mixed like in US sports like baseball?
 
A five word answer: Bradley Wright Phillips Jose Altidore. They wandered round PL pitches like lost sheep/babes in the Wood/rudderless ships etc etc. Way out of their depth.....and we speak as SAFC fans who’ve seen a lot of that behaviour over the years.
Great user name btw.
Jose Altidore?!? Didn't know the fucker was Mexican! Send him down to build the wall, then!!! ;)

I am a huge jazz fan from my dad, I can listen to the Monk all day long...

That goal zlatan scored would not look out of place anywhere

I don't mind the MLS
If you're talking about the one against LAFC - I have to admit that was rather impressive... hated him for it, but impressed nonetheless
 
Jose Altidore?!? Didn't know the fucker was Mexican! Send him down to build the wall, then!!! ;)

I am a huge jazz fan from my dad, I can listen to the Monk all day long...


If you're talking about the one against LAFC - I have to admit that was rather impressive... hated him for it, but impressed nonetheless
Has Beckham got his team up and running yet?
 
I've been watching this season for the first time cos Johnny Russell decided to turn down a big contract at Derby to play there. From what i've seen games are very open, there's loads of goals/chances, the defending/organisation is shocking but the atmosphere at the game is better than your average Championship game over here. I'll watch it on a Sunday night over Spanish football because i'm sick of calculated, cynical European football, it's something different and reminds me of when i first started going back in the late 70's

I went to the World Cup in Germany 2006 and there were loads of Yanks over there, middle aged blokes on freebies from drinks, credit card companies etc and they stood out a mile, dumb Americans over in Europe shouting about the NFL and the rest. In South Africa it was different, lots of young Americans driving around the country to games, helping each other get tickets, they loved the game and the culture.

It's happening over there but its still going to take another couple of decades
I do believe that as the world becomes smaller, the attitude towards football has changed here in America. It's tough for us Americans to stayed locked in our world of baseball, American football, etc - some still do, of course, but I think the younger generations are more open and excited about it
 
I would not have minded the USA in this world cup. Could have had another Safc mention with Gooch
 
Good luck to the MLS........hope it keeps improving because football (when played correctly) is a brilliant g sport. I'm glad it's becoming more popular in the states. I suspect it's lower in the pecking order of US sports despite the vast resources the US can throw at....well frankly anything!
Out of interest, Are the fans segregated in MLS games like in the EPL? Or are fans mixed like in US sports like baseball?
Yes and no - most have "supporters" sections but for the most part, it's all scattered... I don't know that the concept of segregation will ever be popular here in the US, actually.

Has Beckham got his team up and running yet?
Last I heard not until the 2020 season. There's been a lot of buzz and excitement about that team because of his involvement, so I am sure there will be a lot of expectations. Atlanta will be the success story that new expansions teams will try to emulate.
 
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I do believe that as the world becomes smaller, the attitude towards football has changed here in America. It's tough for us Americans to stayed locked in our world of baseball, American football, etc - some still do, of course, but I think the younger generations are more open and excited about it
I sat on a plane next a bloke from NY who said he had followed them to Mexico, (Chivas??) the entire away following came out of the subway near the stadium and were attacked by the locals, said it always looked a laugh on TV till he was caught up in it, said he earned his stripes that day

Football needs a massive shot in the arm, it's boring and stagnant over here, i'd rather it come from the US than China, at least you lot are doing things right..promoting youth football (male & female), keeping strict wage caps and getting a few big names over. China are just chucking money at it and its doing nobody any favours

I do believe that as the world becomes smaller, the attitude towards football has changed here in America. It's tough for us Americans to stayed locked in our world of baseball, American football, etc - some still do, of course, but I think the younger generations are more open and excited about it

Cricket next!!!
 
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I sat on a plane next a bloke from NY who said he had followed them to Mexico, (Chivas??) the entire away following came out of the subway near the stadium and were attacked by the locals, said it always looked a laugh on TV till he was caught up in it, said he earned his stripes that day

Football needs a massive shot in the arm, it's boring and stagnant over here, i'd rather it come from the US than China, at least you lot are doing things right..promoting youth football (male & female), keeping strict wage caps and getting a few big names over. China are just chucking money at it and its doing nobody any favours



Cricket next!!!
Cricket?!? In the US?!? It's too complicated a game for most of us Americans... we don't have the attention span to follow it!!!;)
 
Too complicated! I've watched a dozen "American" Football games and never once understood wtf was going on. :lol:

That being said, I've watched twice as many cricket matches and never knew wtf was going on either. You're not alone.
American football is easy - each team takes turn getting the ball from one end to the other and the other tries to stop them. That's about it. Don't worry about the rest of it - it's just filler so the game lasts longer:D

Sorry......'BOX' :D
Okay, I am fan already!
 
Yes and no - most have "supporters" sections but for the most part, it's all scattered... I don't know that the concept of segregation will ever be popular here in the US, actually.

.
Tribe mentality when groups are segregated. Integrated supporters in other sports works perfectly well
 
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