The ICC has been an annual success at the U.S. box office despite the casual nature of the gamesgetty images
While interest in the Int'l Champions Cup "remains high in several markets, visiting clubs and their corresponding leagues should begin showing greater respect for the increasingly important and sophisticated American market by playing games that matter," according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST, who wrote under the header, "European Soccer Clubs Are Missing An Opportunity To Truly Gain A Foothold In The U.S." Despite the "casual nature and subpar fitness," the ICC has been an "annual success at the box office because of the global brands and superstars involved." But the ICC should "ditch these friendlies littered with some 10 substitutions per team and 60-minute efforts by marquee names" and "agree to play a league match, or maybe a domestic cup game, at a U.S. venue." The preseason schedule would "remain the same, but instead of going home for the start of the season, play the opener here." This summer's ICC attendance figures have "not been as large as in years past," and "perhaps part of it is because the public is wising up to what these games really are: exhibitions" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/5).
FORK IN THE ROAD: In San Jose, Elliott Almond wrote it "remains unclear how appearances of the world's best teams can help kickstart this country's ascendancy in soccer." The clubs' traditions are "enough of a cachet to bring heaps of attention to their sport," and it is one reason the ICC has "been successful since its inception" in '13. Fans in attendance at Levi's Stadium on Saturday for AC Milan-Barcelona said that the exposure of top European clubs will "inspire a new generation of U.S. kids to pursue soccer with a fervor needed to elevate the country into the top echelon of the sport." But with North America "preparing to play host to the World Cup in eight years this country has yet to find a consensus on which path to take" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/5).
