MLS' "best-laid plans have been marginally successful
or have failed," and the league is "going to have even
bigger problems if it continues to allow situations such as
the" L.A. Galaxy's to "disintegrate," according to Frank
Dell'Apa of the BOSTON GLOBE. The Galaxy have been "among
the league's successful franchises," but "several mistakes
were made in recent months," the "most costly" being the
removal of "star Hispanic players, which has led to an
alienation from the most fervent and numerous fans" in the
market. While Sunday's game against the Revolution drew
7,581, Dell'Apa writes that L.A. is a "gigantic market for
soccer, and it should have big crowds. Even 20,000 as an
average is grossly underestimating the potential of the
city." Dell'Apa: "The formula for success is simple: Cater
to the Hispanic community and provide a soccer-specific
stadium of 40,000 capacity" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/25). The
team's average attendance after six games is 14,144, down
more than 50% from last year. See (#30) for more.
MORE PROMO NEEDED FOR MLS IN FL? In Miami, Michelle
Kaufman writes that MLS is "still at a stage where it needs
to go out of its way to market itself," and "some teams are
doing a good job with postgame concerts, attractive
doubleheaders, and international friendlies." While the
Fusion is drawing the league's lowest average attendance,
Kaufman writes that "it seems the Fusion hasn't done enough
to turn games into events." Kaufman: "It doesn't take a
business major to know that last place isn't good enough --
in the standings or the box office" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/25).
