Int’l Soccer Interest In U.S. Continues, But At What Cost?

MLS Looking To Continue Int’l Exhibition Games

Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon, whose club finished a ten-day U.S. tour by playing AC Milan on Sunday at the Meadowlands, “sounded very much as if he would be coming back again soon,” according to Colin Stephenson of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Kenyon: “We are committed to this marketplace and are willing to work with the partners here to develop it for the local fan base, MLS, and Chelsea” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/1). In Sunday’s STAR-LEDGER, Stephenson noted MLS plans to have int’l club teams play annual exhibitions in the U.S. to help “raise soccer’s profile in the [U.S.] and eventually raise the profile of MLS.” But Stephenson added, “With all this international soccer available, are fans tuning out MLS? ... And if so, isn’t MLS hurting its own product by promoting these games?” MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis said, “I don’t think we’ve damaged ourselves.” Gazidis added that if int’l teams are going to tour the U.S. each summer, MLS “might as well help promote the games and reap some of the benefits.” Stephenson noted with attendance for the exhibitions “only fairly good, rather than eye-opening, and attendance for the MetroStars way down this year, the question is whether the area’s appetite for big-time soccer is starting to wane.” New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority President & CEO George Zoffinger: “The thought certainly has occurred to us, but I hope not. I think if we continue to bring quality games, there should be a market” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/31).

TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT: The MetroStars are averaging 14,655 this season over eleven games, down from 17,195 for 15 home games last season. MetroStars GM Alexi Lalas, on the int’l club games: “Is it ideal from a MetroStars perspective? No. But I think it highlights the need for us to step up our efforts to give a very discerning soccer public the quality that they deserve and expect” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 7/31). In N.Y., Josh Benson wrote the MetroStars have “established only a patchy presence in the New York and New Jersey area, contending with paltry coverage by the news media, low attendance and mediocre results on the playing field.” Lalas said of his intentions to make the club a national powerhouse, “It’s about having soccer fans all over the world, when they think about American soccer, think of the MetroStars. I don’t think it’s that far off.” Lalas, who has criticized the league’s financial structure, said, “It’s not my money, so it’s very easy for me to say I’d love more money to spend on players. ... But I also realize that to contend with a very educated soccer base we have to present them with the personalities and star power that other teams around the world have” (N.Y. TIMES, 7/31).

MetroStars Averaging 14,655 Fans Per Game So Far This Season