My brother Todd would be horrified to know that I am more interested (this week) in soccer than I am in college football, which starts in just 13 days. But hey, you try being a North Texas alumn with season tickets and watch your alma mater go 5-31 under 3 years of the greatest Texas high school coach in history. It's frustrating, especially with realignment and Big Six consolidation lurking behind every conference call.
But for one more week at least I can focus on my new passion. I was asked this morning about my plans for the weekend. I'm not sure I'm ready to tell my wife about them, let alone my co-workers. School hasn't started up again yet and there is only preseason NFL football, so I'll be focused on increasing my soccer knowledge.
But for one more week at least I can focus on my new passion. I was asked this morning about my plans for the weekend. I'm not sure I'm ready to tell my wife about them, let alone my co-workers. School hasn't started up again yet and there is only preseason NFL football, so I'll be focused on increasing my soccer knowledge.
This week is an interesting lineup ("fixture" to use the English parlance). On Saturday morning I've got Arsenal (the long time powerhouse) at home against Blackpool (the newly promoted team that won its EPL debut 4-0). My favorite American Tim Howard (he caused a goal last week after DROPPING the ball on a decent save) and Everton play Wolverhampton. On Sunday, Manchester United plays Fulham (with Texas native Clint Dempsey), and Liverpool plays Manchester City Monday afternoon (Monday Night Football in England).
Of course, there is also the FC Dallas home game against Chivas USA which I will attend and endure the 104+ degree heat. I have to wonder if the heat plays a factor in keeping casual fans away. I have to believe that, because there is a very large soccer culture in north Texas and the Hoops are a good team but for some reason FC Dallas can only pull in an average of 8,000 spectators. Is it marketing? Is it location? When FC Dallas drew against Inter Milan just over a week ago, the stadium was sold out - over 20,000 fans watched an exhibition game in the God-awful heat. Granted that most probably showed up to watch the European champions, but these are still soccer fans who handed over hard-earned money during a recession to watch a weeknight friendly in Hell's Waiting Room. They are Dallas residents, so I would hope they would adopt their local professional team even if the MLS is considered a "retirement league".
With the very large Mexican-American population and FC Dallas playing the Chivas (owned by the Mexican Professional First Division team CD Guadalajara), I am going to go out on a limb and predict over 10,000 in attendance for this game where FCD will go for their 11th straight unbeaten. I hope there's more, and I hope the attendance continues to grow as it is now all but certain that FC Dallas will make a strong surge into the playoffs.
Of course, there is also the FC Dallas home game against Chivas USA which I will attend and endure the 104+ degree heat. I have to wonder if the heat plays a factor in keeping casual fans away. I have to believe that, because there is a very large soccer culture in north Texas and the Hoops are a good team but for some reason FC Dallas can only pull in an average of 8,000 spectators. Is it marketing? Is it location? When FC Dallas drew against Inter Milan just over a week ago, the stadium was sold out - over 20,000 fans watched an exhibition game in the God-awful heat. Granted that most probably showed up to watch the European champions, but these are still soccer fans who handed over hard-earned money during a recession to watch a weeknight friendly in Hell's Waiting Room. They are Dallas residents, so I would hope they would adopt their local professional team even if the MLS is considered a "retirement league".
With the very large Mexican-American population and FC Dallas playing the Chivas (owned by the Mexican Professional First Division team CD Guadalajara), I am going to go out on a limb and predict over 10,000 in attendance for this game where FCD will go for their 11th straight unbeaten. I hope there's more, and I hope the attendance continues to grow as it is now all but certain that FC Dallas will make a strong surge into the playoffs.
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