Minnesota Stars Will NOT Host 3rd Round USOC Game Against Real Salt Lake
In the US Soccer press release tonight that announced the results of the 2nd round US Open Cup matches and the 3rd round pairings, it was revealed that the Minnesota Stars of the NASL, who had won the right to host Real Salt Lake, have now sold their rights to the MLS team and therefore will no longer host the game in Blaine, Minnesota next Tuesday, May 29th.
The statement also said that Atlanta have sold their rights as well and will now travel to Seattle to play the Sounders rather than hosting them in Silverbacks Park.
The press release reads:
Three third-round scheduling changes were made following Tuesday’s second-round play. MLS’s Real Salt Lake, which would have gone on the road to face the NASL’s Minnesota Stars in Blaine, Minn., is now hosting the third-round matchup. RSL and Minnesota will play each other at 7 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 29, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
The Seattle Sounders also will host their third-round match, which originally would have been played in Atlanta, Ga., against the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks. Seattle will host Atlanta at 7 p.m. PT on Wednesday, May 30, at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.
The Chivas USA-Ventura County Fusion game will take place at Ventura College in Ventura, Calif., kicking off at 7 p.m. PT on Tuesday, May 29.
Michael Lewis of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote in an article late Tuesday night. The team worked out a late-night deal to play the May 29 game at home, instead, presumably giving it a better chance of advancing in the nation’s oldest tournament and maybe even make some money. The deal was struck in the hours after the second-division Stars beat fourth-tier Des Moines 2-0, despite playing the final 50 minutes a man down.
Indeed, Stars CEO Djorn Buchholz was seen on the phone after the game tonight in Des Moines. IMS contacted Buchholz in the early hours on Wednesday morning and he stated, “We are very excited to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup after a valiant effort by our team in Des Moines last night. I want to thank all of the fans that traveled to Des Moines to help us advance. Their presence was heard loud and clear.”
“We were presented with a business opportunity to change the venue of this match to Rio Tinto Stadium that we could not pass up,” said Buchholz in regard to the venue change. ”As we continue working to ensure the long-term viability of the Minnesota Stars FC, sometimes difficult decisions must be made, and this was one of them. But history has shown that Minnesota pro soccer teams have what it takes to go on the road and get a result, and we believe this team has just that.”
The format of this year’s Open Cup allowed a coin flip to see who hosted the 1st – 3rd round matches as long as they had stadiums that met the USOC standards. The 50/50 chance allowed smaller clubs a better chance of hosting in the first 3 rounds. But as happens in other countries domestic tournaments, it also allows for larger teams to buy out the smaller team which can often be a windfall for cash-strapped lower level teams.
Buchholz and the Stars would have had to pay the USSF $12,000 to host the 3rd round match and had less than a week to market the event on a weeknight. It’s quite possible that the Stars not only saved money by not needing to pay the Federation, but they most likely are getting either a percentage or gate percentage from sales from Real Salt Lake or an agreed on sum.
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I’m in disbelief. Why would these teams do that??? Did they REALLY think they wouldn’t be able to draw well for these games? Like, REALLY??? Terrible decisions all around. Terrible for USSF to allow the MLS clubs to buy the rights away. Terrible for MLS clubs to even have the gall to offer the money. Terrible for the NASL clubs to take the money and sell out their fanbase’s.
While I’m terribly disappointed, I think @Stephen is way off base. It’s not simply that the Silverbacks and Stars ‘think’ that they won’t be able to draw crowds for these matches, it’s that they ‘know’ they won’t be able to from experience.
The USSF did (lower division) soccer a favor by doing away with their byzantine bidding process, but it’s inevitable that some teams will be able to do a better job of taking advantage of the new system than others.
The RioT is going to be a tough place for our guys to play, but if anyone has the heart to knock off a team with the quality of RSL, it’s them.
The Richmond Kickers look to be the big winners in the new system. They’ll get to host a big, (relatively) local club in DC United. Hopefully they’ll draw a lot of away fans and make some cash.
Are you kidding? The Silverbacks KNOW that they will sell the stadium out. Their front office was telling us last night that they had already received calls from fan groups IN SEATTLE about buying tickets to the game.
There hasn’t been a meaningful game with a MLS team in Atlanta in 8 years. This game would have sold out easily.
Heck, if this team that is 0-4-4 can sell out a game against the freakin’ Tampa Bay Rowdies, you don’t think they could sell out a game against the SEATTLE SOUNDERS?????
Tone deaf major PR blunder from Silverbaacks front office. Judging from the comments on the team’s Facebook page, the fans are NOT happy (and that’s an understatement). Really, really dumb move. They will now have to work on damage control for quite awhile.
Note to USSF: This loophole needs to be removed from the Open Cup rules next year.
I’m a Silverbacks season ticket holder and have contacted the front office to let them know how disappointed I am in their decision.
It’s truly heartbreaking that they don’t remember that we are their customers; not the Seattle Sounders.
What’s even more embarrassing is that THEY ADVERTISED THE GAME TO EVERYONE LEAVING THE STADIUM LAST SATURDAY!!!
http://twitpic.com/9ob9sx
“Think Community”. Lol…
Sucks.
Really sucks to get the draw against two teams that really care about the tourney; RSL and Seattle and not teams that could care less: Revs, Colorado, or Chivas
Swine!! Cheap, savage, hustlers!! These thoughtless goons and would pawn off the family dog for an extra dime!
I’d say more, but I have to meet my attorney at the liquor store – and there’s a swarm of angry, obviously rabid bats gathering outside my window…
I’m hummed too, but lets face it: if the teams lose less money travelling for a cut of a 12k ticket gate, they’d be idiots not to do that.
Damnable shame, but numbers don’t lie.
@bullsear The only stadiums that won’t draw crowds are the MLS stadiums. How many Sounders fans are thinking; “OMG, like, I can’t totally wait for the Atlanta Silverbacks to like play here.”
As opposed to the Silverback fans who were pumped about hosting a good MLS team. I guarantee that Starfire Sports Complex draws less then five thousand fans.
I do not know the difficulties of running a league owned team. I can only imagine it all comes down to the bottom line, but man does it suck.
$12,000 cost, is that in fees to USOC or in costs of putting on any game?
Why were the Thunder all about hosting USOC games all of the time?
Seems to me this would be a perfect way to build the fan base and to get people more excited about the squad…and, to give a homegame and not have the boys continuing to travel.
Numbers don’t lie, but this situation sucks.
memo to fans of ATL … you are a minor league team … when another team offers to likely pay your travelling expenses and pay you more than you could have made from hosting the game you do it … because the thing a minor league club needs more than anything else is CASH.
So if I am to brush this off because it makes financial since should I then be worried how big of a hole the Stars have dug themselves by having such a great start to the season? I mean the playoffs aren’t really a money winner either.
The Sounders are playing their game at Starfire? LOL. Atlanta got screwed.
At least RSL is playing at Rio Tinto.
L-A-M-E.
What a disservice to fans of MN and ATL. Extra sad that the Stars dubbed this year as “Year of the Fan”.
@ bullsear – the Scorpions are also hosting an MLS team at home. The Houston Dynamo will travel to San Antonio next week and probably draw strong support from their fans. The two cities are roughly 200 miles apart and is a three hour drive. There are Dynamo fans living in San Antonio who support the Scorpions, so it will be an interesting test of loyalties for the fan base.
I hope the Stars and Silverbacks can pull out a win!
I was aware that ATL had been drawing better numbers this season, but it was naive of me to speak for both teams. My statement was based on what I’d heard from the Thunder FO in years past. But they always did seem to try to bring those games in anyway …
Thanks for the respectful correction.
Dear “thesuperrookie”,
Getting a draw against a team that cares about this competition doesn’t suck. An Open Cup tournament that allows for the buying of home games sucks. Team ownership that dangles home game Open Cup tix in front of prospective season ticket buyers, only to sell them out later sucks.
I’m assuming the Silverbacks and Stars will sell the rights to host any future rounds as well if they should advance?
Really disappointed. Would have loved to see RSL at Nessie. But let’s not forget that NASL is still little more than a house of cards and if Bjorn says this makes the most sense for the long term viability of the team then In Bjorn We Trust. However to LThomas’ point, if this were a possibility, then they probably shouldn’t have made such a big deal about hosting until it was certain.
this feckin sucks
the harsh reality of this is… while we are league-owned, we will never host a US Open Cup match
I think that’s a great point. We hear enthusiastically “we can host a MLS team if we win!” when it was probably known that there was a very good chance that we were certainly NOT hosting and would sell the home rights. That bait and switch is probably what has gotten me the most upset.
Sometimes things evolve. Perhaps Atlanta hadn’t thought about the possibility until they were approached by Seattle and perhaps Seattle doesn’t necessarily care as much about drawing a lot of fans to the game as they do about fixture congestion and just not traveling. They have enough money were it was probably worth it to them. The same goes for RSL and I’m guessing these decisions were not made lightly.
I keep hearing from some that this was a loop hole. Perhaps? But perhaps not? Perhaps the USOC set this up as a opportunity for smaller clubs. This is a practice that isn’t unique to the USOC. Go watch A Shot At Glory sometime. It’s one of my favorite soccer movies. Beside, Owen Coyle has got a part in it. And that scenario has happened in Europe.
I would have to guess that both teams were offered a pretty good chunk of cash for this. Why? Because it’s worth it for the MLS side not to travel, to have home advantage even if not played at their home stadium. I personally don’t think we can offer up much more than disappointment as a fan when we are not the ones bleeding around 1.5 million a year.
Don’t get me wrong, I too am very disappointed and it even makes me questions why I took the day vacation and a night at a hotel to travel to Des Moines to cover a game that will only mean the Stars now will now go on the road. I also worry about the residual effect this could have on the Stars players with their brutal May/June travel schedule. But I also know I cannot sit and call my team or Atlanta’s, some of the names I saw on the Silverbacks Facebook page.
I cannot seem to find attendance numbers on the last MLS USOC game the Thunder hosted on a Tuesday night which was against Kansas City. But I can tell you it was far from a sellout. I doubt the Stars would have drawn great numbers for a game against RSL either.
Brian,
I can only blame the Atlanta FO for this. When you advertise for the game, get your own fans excited for the possibility of hosting one of the best teams in MLS then take it away from them, how is there any excuse for that?
I can listen to Oki talk about “community, community” on the podcast but when you do this to your fans, how are you supposed to build anything?
I am wondering if it was more of an NASL decision to not be in the USOC last season, rather than a “the schedule was already determined.”
Again, I do not fault the Stars for selling the game to Real Salt Lake. I do, however, think it is lame that the fans of the the Stars will not be able to see them play an MLS team at home. Uggh.
I hope we at least get some video coverage of this game. The boys will be fighting to turn some heads and for us to have the possibility of selling another game in the fourth round.
Hell, at this rate, maybe we will make enough money to buy Ricardo Sanchez again!
JONNY STEELE IS LUCKY.
Well stated Brian – the reality of the situation is that the bottom line matters more in the short term than in any long term marketing gain the Stars might have leveraged.
On the positive side it would be a nice treat for the RSL fans to see their team suffer a loss at home to a NASL team. Come on Stars!
i feel bad for the people that traveled down to des moines… i almost decided against my better judgement, to take off work to travel down and support the Stars. the reason i almost decided to do that was, the hope & excitement of hosting an MLS side next week. that hope & excitement carried over to this morning when i woke up, just to check the news and find out that the Stars sold the hosting rights to Real Salt Lake. the letdown and disappointment, that i currently feel, blows big time. thus why i feel for anyone who felt similar emotions to me, that actually did make that trip down to des moines. but like i stated a little earlier, the harsh reality of this situation is that as long as we are league owned, we will never host an MLS side in the US Open Cup
@OleGunnar20 you are so right give this man a webpage. I can’t knock them for doing it. It does not affect the match and it is their right because it is their fate. The smartest thing I have seen them do
Fun drinking game:
Listen to the Oki podcast and take swig every time he mutters on about “community”.
I think Silverbacks fans should have their own slogan. “Re-Think Community”
Wow. Just add more vinegar to the US Open Cup drama. I absolutely disagree with US Soccer! Why Rio Tinto, if the Seattle-Atlanta is played at smaller venue in Tukwila?
I was looking forward to actually going to Nessie to see this match. It make me wonder what kind of politics persist to placate the MLS – and RSL – to move the match from NSC to Rio Tinto. It makes me think about the reasons why I no longer blog or support Major League Baseball with misguided ideas and plans…etc.
Apparently, US Soccer has followed MLB’s lead.
Then again, who the heck cares what a guy like me says when he cares about his local futbol club anyway? I hope it works out for RSL…
“I’m in disbelief. Why would these teams do that??? Did they REALLY think they wouldn’t be able to draw well for these games? Like, REALLY??? Terrible decisions all around. Terrible for USSF to allow the MLS clubs to buy the rights away. Terrible for MLS clubs to even have the gall to offer the money. Terrible for the NASL clubs to take the money and sell out their fanbase’s.”
Actually, yes, I would imagine the Stars figured they’d be hard pressed to draw enough to Blaine to offset the guarantee Salt Lake gave them, given the last time Blaine hosted an MLS team (2009), the Thunder couldn’t get 4k for the match. Now with a week to sell a game against a non-sexy MLS opponent with a small staff on one hand and a guarantee in the other hand…well, it makes sense.
Because it’s not YOUR money. “Sell out the fanbase.” That’s funny. You got the rights through a coin flip that could have gone the other way just as easily.
So, in your world, smaller clubs can now never sell a player to a bigger club for the money because that would be terrible, terrible of the bigger club to even ask, terrible of USSF to allow it to happen and selling out the fanbase who would lose a good player, right?
All’s fair. Get over it, and yourself.
“I am wondering if it was more of an NASL decision to not be in the USOC last season, rather than a “the schedule was already determined.”
Given that the 2011 USOC schedule came out a week after the sanctioning decision, yeah, the scheduling thing was the reason. But I don’t believe the NASL fought it too hard. Davidson even said at the time they needed to focus on their first year as a league, which they did.
I understand that these were financial decisions. All about the bottom line. I understand the economics.
But I can also understand the frustration of my boy, Martzy, being MAD AS HELL after being told that if his boys won, MLS would be coming to town.
I feel bad for the Stars fans and I feel bad for the folks down in the ATL–especially my Main Man, Martzy–coz he’s straight up “hardcore”. He’s been supporting that club for YEARS.
The ATL thing just seems more difficult to swallow. You’re walking about of the park, after you paid to see the Silverbacks beat up on an amateur team on a Tuesday ngiht, only to get a flier hyping up the fact that the Big Boys are coming to town next week. And then, you are hit with this news…It’s like a gut punch that you weren’t anticipating: You end up on the floor curled up in a fetal position, wondering what the hell just happened.
-Yankiboy
“I guarantee that Starfire Sports Complex draws less then five thousand fans.”
Considering the place only has a 4,500 seat capacity, you’re probably right.
“You’re walking about of the park, after you paid to see the Silverbacks beat up on an amateur team on a Tuesday ngiht, only to get a flier hyping up the fact that the Big Boys are coming to town next week. And then, you are hit with this news…It’s like a gut punch that you weren’t anticipating: You end up on the floor curled up in a fetal position, wondering what the hell just happened.”
If that actually happens, if you end up on the floor in a fetal position, you’re a freaking tool. It’s a freaking soccer game. It’s a freaking soccer team. That’s all it is. That’s all it will ever be. This “Insert Team Here ‘Til I Die” nonsense is just that.
Perspective, please.
@OleGunnar20 you are so right give this man a webpage. I can’t knock them for doing it. It does not affect the match and it is their right because it is their fate. The smartest thing I have seen them do.
-Footy76:
Ok. I am DEFINITELY missing something here. Is this some more of your quick wit or are you, the guy who appeared to be seriously calling Strikers Reeturn and myself out–just yesterday–for defending Traffic’s move to use the Pay-Per-View platform for the domestic broacsting of the US away WCQ down in Guatemala.
If memory serves me right, you called us homers and told us that we should be ashamed for going along with it.
You have gotta be clowning now or clowning yesterday clowning with both.
Both were market decisions where the rights were owned.
You CAN’T possibly be SERIOUS. You have GOTTA be just YANKIng my chain, Playah.
KT with some “end up on the floor in a fetal position” hard hitting, real and spot on comments
I like it…..I LIKE IT!
What’s unfortunate is some of the greatest games I’ve ever seen were the Thunder playing MLS opponents in the Open Cup. We still talk about the Earthquakes game in 2004 and Rocky Mountain Cup victory of 2005 against RSL and Colorado.
When you’re in the lower divisions you really look forward to games like this. To have it taken away feels like a punch in the gut.
KT: let the record show: I AM A FREAKING TOOL! 100% T-O-O-L.
I’m not down with the “Till I Die stuff” so much, but nonetheless I’m most defintely a “TOOL”.
TOOL=Yanki=Yankiboy=Jay Long
Glad that we got that cleared up…
Surely you and everybody else around here and anywhere that I participate already knew that, right? This is no new news.
Yep. It’s a game. Nobody’s gonna die. My perspective is that I would be disappointed if that happened to a club, where I was a consumer of the product that they were peddling.
And ya know, Playah, hyperbole is NEVER used when referring to sport. Coz when people use common cliches like “battle”, “it’s do or die”, or talk about a particular play by a visiting team “taking all of the air out of the (home team’s) venue”, they’re really being LITERAL–people are actually NOT dying and suffocating.
“Perspective, please” right back atcha.
I went to Des Moines and don’t regret it for a minute. I watched the Stars play a good game (not perfect, but good) and they’re headed to the next round.
I still get to watch the next round online. Yes, of course, I would have LOVED to see them play at home against RSL. But the fact is we’re a league-owned team. Think of it this way: have you ever been poor enough that you’ve wanted something for a long time, then finally found it only to have to pass it by (or buy it then return it) because you couldn’t afford it?
And when the Stars beat RSL, and hopefully Kansas City defeat Orlando City, I’ll be able to travel to that game.
Can we put this into perspective a bit? Even SOUNDERS fans are upset about this situation. Atlanta is going to hurt, a lot, for this. Just look at the response from the local fans. It’s hard to deny this.
Minnesota is a different situation. But I had to laugh when someone said “they won’t even draw 4k” if RSL came. Well guess what, 3,999 fans is still more than any other Stars game this year at NSC if memory serves. And let’s not forget RSL made a LOT of headlines in the soccer world just a year ago for their run in the CCL. It’s not like you guys were potentially playing the Rev’s or something….
“It’s not like you guys were potentially playing the Rev’s or something….”
With the media coverage we get here for soccer in the Twin Cities, it might as well have been and the team would have only had about 6 days to market the match. If they had more time I think it would have been a different scenario. I do agree that Atlanta is a different situation and not quite sure I understand that one as well.
I’ve said this elsewhere, but I honestly think seeing the Stars beat RSL in Rio Tinto after taking their money will be the most delicious storyline that can possibly come out of this.
Will I regret the lost opportunity to make fun of Jonny Steele’s ridiculous butt hat tattoo? Of course I will.
Does sports open a window when it closes a door schadenfreude-wise? Of course it does.
Some of the comments so far have been gratuitous. For the fans who traveled to Des Moines, being pissed off is understandable. I understand why MN (or probably more NASL in general) sold the rights. It sucks, but I blame the US Open Cup.
Why in god’s name is there only a week between games? Who can possibly market to that? Oh, MLS teams, that’s who. MN Stars were faced with the potential prospect of trying to get ready for what would be a great home match for fans, but one that would get almost no local press. They still haven’t quite built up their fan base under the new name (NSC MN still has more facebook fans than MN Stars…), so how do they get the fans out?
We should all turn our wrath onto the real culprits: USSF. It’s time they took this damned tournament seriously. Right now it’s a joke and a tease.
I want to know EXACTLY what the terms of the buyout were. Until they can convince me I believe that the silverbacks FO sold us out!
I’m pissed. Don’t even announce the draw ahead of time if you’re going to allow the venue to change.
Is that “US OPEN CUP BANNED” banner still around? Can it be changed to “US OPEN CUP SELLOUTS”?
@gumbygrrl, Has it been announced the game will be available to view online?
““It’s not like you guys were potentially playing the Rev’s or something….”
With the media coverage we get here for soccer in the Twin Cities, it might as well have been and the team would have only had about 6 days to market the match. If they had more time I think it would have been a different scenario. I do agree that Atlanta is a different situation and not quite sure I understand that one as well.”
Media coverage aside, the number of people who could tell you the difference between RSL and the Revs, and which one is theoretically a more glamorous opponent is probably about 7. For most people that might come to a game,when it comes to MLS teams there’s A) the Galaxy (cuz they got that Beckman guy) and B) every other MLS team. There is no difference between drawing RSL, New England, Chivas or anyone else.
“Don’t even announce the draw ahead of time if you’re going to allow the venue to change.”
I think this is the key point. USSF announced that Seattle would play in Georgia. Period. RSL would be traveling to MN if the Stars won. That was the announced schedule. Turns out the USSF lied to everyone when they published that. Why bother even announcing the hosting if that can change?
It’s more frustrating to me that we’ve been told for a bit now that this game would be here but now because of some under the table dealing we lost this game. I was looking forward to seeing RSL live in person as I do respect them as a team with some great players (ie: Beckerman, Rimando).
Now… had this been an game against the Revs… I would have been FURIOUS if that game was not here…… then very divided on who I would be cheering for since the Revs is my MLS team.
I found out about the change in venue when the news broke last night on the way home from Iowa. While I am disappointed, I think the Stars management made the right call on this one. I also support them 100%.
I started a business of my own at the beginning of this year. I really wish I could have a nice executive suite on the top of some class A office space in downtown Minneapolis, however, the economics dictate that I have to settle for a less desirable view from my office window until I can get established, building my client base and have money to pay for the bare essentials like paying the mortgage on my home and putting food on the table.
In the same regard, the economics for most D2 clubs is that paying the hosting fees and other costs does not make sense at this point. They still have expensive travel schedules and need to make payroll within their budget. I would rather see that being done than host a match that is going to likely loss money regardless of how many people show up.
I also think it is unfair to call it an Open Cup “loophole” to allow MLS teams to “buy” the match. It might be my narrow viewpoint, but I think that is a good economic system, which allows the lower division teams an option to make money verses blowing it away.
Am I upset and disappointed? Yes. Will I still be a vocal supporter for Stars’ management and player? HECK YEAH!!!
I would rather be watching the match live at the Nessy. However, I am just fine watching my Stars play on TV. Yes, it is still the “Year of the Fan” in MN. I will proudly wear #12 on the back of my kit, because I know I am the 12th man for the Stars. (Well, last night I was actually the 11th player as Christiano was sent off in the first half.)
@Yankiboy
This is a different circumstance this only effect that team an their supporter not supports not soccer supporter of the U.S as a hole like the other decision. To make money off yourself is one thing to make money off of other supporter to better your standing is totally different to me and the hard core NASL have the right to gripe about this one but to me this choice just makes. I never had a problem with the other decision it was the way they rap it and gave it to us and how every on went along with it cause traffic give you a soccer league. The whole homer thing hash ok I apologize for that. What I meant to say is its wrong but even through its wrong and you except it witch is ok. Look outside the box and know what you are taking not just because Traffic says so.
DemoMan- You wouldn’t be seeing Rimando or Beckerman anyway as they are with the USMNT.
Soccerboy- Dare I say it? I agree with you. I understand the need to make money and not lose it, I also think that having the ability for lower level teams to move their venue in exchange for money can be a good thing. It happens in FA Cup with the low level teams. That being said, it does suck that the game isn’t at the Nessy and the fact we are a league owned franchise with a bottom line.
The overall winner of this whole thing is Carolina. No way, anyteam would sell to those guys. That is a guarenteed gate.
I also was hoping this would be an opportunity for the Sounders to actually go on a road trip and maybe even lose. They are always finding ways to get a home field advantage. It’s all crap if you ask me. Another reason to hate them more.
My word of advice to the Stars and ATL front office.. Money can buy you a lot of things, but it can never buy you loyalty.
@Footy76: Great minds don’t always have to think alike. Just look at me and KT.
It’s all good, Playah.
That’s right I completely forgot about Beckerman and Rimando being on the USNMT. Thanks SuperRookie for reminding me.
It might make momentary financial sense, but when you’re trying to build your local fan base, this is a seriously lost opportunity.
I’m very bummed out, Stars! It smells like a Traffic decision.
BTW a might thanks to the Dark Clouds for “streaming” the game on someone’s cell phone last night on Ustream. (I felt bad for that little ball boy).
Dare i say 15-18k at the Scorpions next tuesday? wait…. do those pesky Spurs play that night………?
dang it, game 2 is that night… that may dumb the crowd that night…. freaking spurs. ok ill guess 10-12k than.
apparently if the Stars win this coming Tuesday at Rio Tinto, they will either host Ft Lauderdale OR head out west to San Jose. so our only chance this season to host an MLS side in the US Open Cup was officially pissed down a drain
http://mnstarsfc.com/2012/05/us-open-cup-fourth-round-draw-announced/
Atlanta has already begun damage control by offering a free ticket night at the stadium for the next NASL game against the Railhawks. Good try Silverback FO..
No one has mentioned what the players are thinking. Did management sell them out? Should they be excited about playing in an MLS stadium? I don’t know of many, or any for that matter, player in the NASL who WOULD NOT relish a chance to play against an MLS team in an MLS venue.
I feel bad for Neil in Atlanta. Who knows how many calls the hardworking staff in Atlanta had to take from angry Silverbacks fans.
I think we should be celebrating the fact that all eligible NASL teams advanced. USL can’t even say that!!!
On Tuesday I’m rooting for the Strikers, RailHawks, Scorpions, Stars, Silverbacks, and even the Rowdies.
Come on NASL!!!!
RSL fan here.
I understand the frustrations but at least the star players can play in Rio Tinto staduim. We will make sure to treat them well. Reports are that game is selling well so the crowd should be good.
Economics suck for sure. But you have to want your team to survive.
@ Armando, Atlanta v Seattle will be played in a small venue that holds 3-5k people south of Seattle. The will not be playing in CenturyLink Field. this was all so the Sounders did not have to travel.
I have never posted on this board. However, this situation has enough gravity to do so. I think this club (Minnesota Thunder, NSC Minnesota Stars, Minnesota Stars FC), in whatever form it has been in, has always been honest about its situation, and it’s decisions over the years. I feel that’s why we have such amazing supporters, because we tell you like it is. That will not change when it comes to this. My direct line at work is 763-792-7350. Please feel free to call me directly and I will speak to each and every one of you at length regarding this topic. You are our biggest advocates, and we absolutely care about you. In all honesty, this opportunity was first presented to us just before kickoff yesterday and at the end of the day, was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in 11 years in this sport. This was not about immediate gratification. This was not sold for “peanuts”. This was a real situation. Unlike one we have been faced with before. I look forward to speaking to you all. We need you to BELIEVE, and this was one of these situations where I knew our faithful would do so.
Djorn, I support your decision 100%. Although My kids and I are disappointed that we won’t get to watch the Stars take on one of the best MLS teams, the economics of the situation prevail. If people are going to discount the team and not come to future games, then they are not true fans anyways. If they are the fans we want, the opponent doesn’t matter. If we can’t fill the stands with supporters of a professional team (MLS or not), then we don’t deserve a team in this state. We want the supporters that love the game no matter who is playing no matter what division. Everyone needs to get off their butts (and keyboards) and start spreading the word about this team. The players are classy and the organization (in MN) cares about its survival. I don’t think people realize how close we are to no professional soccer in MN after having it the past 17 years. The only way we can keep it is to show Traffic Sports (and any potential investor) that this is a soccer city. Let’s show them at our next home game on 6/16.
When I first started following soccer, coming from an American sports background, I remember how bizarre I thought it was that teams could literally buy players from other teams. Now apparently you can buy home field advantage? This is nuts on fire!
I mean it’s not exactly accepting payment to throw a game, a concept which is not entirely foreign to this sport, but it is undeniably accepting payment to reduce your chances of success. Really, how much further down the slope is that? I think it raises some ethical questions to say the least.
I can’t say I really blame the GM of desperately cash strapped club for doing this but I’m astonished that this activity is sanctioned by the US Soccer, the same organization that essentially had their chances of hosting a world cup bought from under them.
It’s interesting, watching this from Carolina, as we probably have the wealthiest MLS team coming to us, not sure if they made an offer to move the game, but we are having it here. And we sold 6500 tickets in 3 and a half hours today, and looking to get a new section of our stadium inspected on Friday for 1500 more seats. I know a lot of those are Galaxy fans, but there will definitely be a direct financial benefit for the team.
@Spencer, this happens in Europe, for sure in England, all the time. Watch the movie A Shot at Glory sometime. Its part of the premise of the film. This IS NOT exclusive to the US and is not the USSF’s fault and as much as Kenn Tomasch is a curmudgeon I think he’s got it right in this piece he did yesterday (Without the pot shots).
http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/?p=4688
@Matt, the LA Galaxy would have sold out the NSC Stadium, pretty guaranteed and I think Djorn would have had to think differently on the situation as well. Right now the NSC stadium could hold a lot more than you remodeled stadium can hold. By the way, here’s an article on that situation.
Here’s Curt Johnson’s take on the issue:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/23/la-foes-carolina-usoc-debate-its-about-trying-win
re:Curt Johnson article
If I was a Railhawks fan I would be happy that the team President is finally focused on winning something this year. ZING!
Also “A Shot at Glory” is the bomb, BQ. Not a masterpiece of fine art but still a great movie I go back to from time to time.
It’s actually my favorite soccer movie, smatthew.
“If people are going to discount the team and not come to future games, then they are not true fans anyways.”
-Jeremy
Bro, It’s definitely nothing personal- I don’t have a dog in the fight but I have to call you out on the above shot that you took at people who have decided that they are so angry that they no longer want to cosume their local club’s product.
I’ve read this same sentiment a couple different places regarding the reaction to the match venue transactions, particularly in Atlanta, where some of the supporters feel that they have a lot more to be bitter about, given their particular circumstances.
Sometimes a consumer decides that “enough is enough” and they’re not going to take any more when they are disgusted with the quality of a product or how it is marketed.
The “then they were never true fans” thing really, really rubs me the wrong way. Everybody has their limits. Resources are limited. Being “true fan” doesn’t mean that you just have to accept whatever the management of the franchise that you follow wants you to.
Given the economic ability to do so, consumers (in the is case fans)will consume until the feel that it is no longer worth it to continue doing so.
I think that it is really cool that Djorn took the unprecedented step to come on here and make himself available to the fans that had concerns about what took place or are just plain pi$$ed off.
I also agree with Armando Dias. I feel for Neil Malone because I think that guy does a great job and he must have been catching hell yesterday.
There’s a whole bunch of people in the front office doing a great job this year, Neal in particular. The sales staff has been tremendous in getting tickets out and getting fans to show up to watch this team that isn’t very good.
Let’s not use a broad stroke and paint this whole front office as accountable for what happened, it was the decision of just a few.
While very disappointing, I completely understand and support the decision. You can’t negotiate with reality.
What I would like to see is for the Wilf’s to step up and buy the Stars if they’re really as serious as they claim about bringing MLS to Minnesota. This is exactly the sort of event they could use to build the local fan base and show off their product.
I tried Djorn’s number and all I got was an Adult phone service
Seriously, kudos to Djorn for being out front and candid about the situation. Most business people in his position would avoid the possible backlash of the decision he had to make.
It sounds like he put his heart, soul, passion, and business acumen into this difficult decision. Agree or disagree at least he believes clarity of the issue is better than agreement. That says a lot about his character and his respect for the Stars fan base.
He has my vote for NASL executive of the year already ( that award exists right?)
The fact that this practice occurs in Europe does not excuse it. I know that a lot of American fans would like to see American soccer mimic Europe in every way but I think if we look at their problems objectively we would say that is not a very good idea. This is one example of that.
Since the rationality put forth is for this stuff is free market economics, lets look at the other side from a business perspective. The integrity of the product depends on team doing everything they can to achieve on the field success. The minute fans suspect management doesn’t care about the on the field product is the minute that most fans are out the door (unless you’re into professional wrestling). What US Soccer is allowing is essentially for teams to monetize an on field advantage. What if we allowed RSL to pay the Stars enough money to keep their two best players out of the game or to play wearing tennis shoes instead of cleats? It’s the integrity of the game that’s at stake here imo. Again, I don’t blame a team that is between a rock and a hard place but I’m astonished that US Soccer ever opened this door.
@Lego7: My word of advice to the Stars and ATL front office.. Money can buy you a lot of things, but it can never buy you loyalty.
I can’t speak for people other than myself, however, I think in MN, unlike in ATL, we are not fair weathered fans. For example, in ATL, if it gets below 69 degrees they call the match as it is too cold. However, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor moving a USOC match to RSL is going to separate us from loving and supporting our Stars 100%.
In MN we have had a lot of lack of leadership lately. However, @Djorn has set himself apart from others by making a tough decision, standing up for it and making himself available to the fans. Quite frankly I think that is why the Dark Clouds slogan for this season is “Nuts of a Warrior.”
#InDjornWeTrust
@Soccer Boy: All jokes asisde, Bro, I think that it is really, really important to understand that dudes like Martzy have been supporting that club for years? The Dude is 100% hardcore.
Yeah. Minnesota and the ATL situations are a bit different. A lot of the ATL faithful have been there for the Silverbacks organization even when the Silverbacks pro team went dormant.
You Northerners up in Minnesota are hardcore–no doubt. But ATL has had some people support a club for years that very few people cared about or even reealized existed.
Personaly, I wouldn’t even joke about them being “fair weathered fans”. If it were me, that would be like adding insult to injury.
I’ll be very curious to see how this all plays out and what their attendance looks like a month from now. How many people are going to decide to “get over it” and how many are going to stick with the “I’m DONE with the Silverbacks!” declarations.
@Soccer Boy
Really? That’s the argument you’re going with? MN isn’t full of fair weather fans? You do look across the stadium at poor weather games and see the other side, right? Timbers supporters even have a song about Minnesotans’ fair weatherness. (all in good fun of course, but it comes from observation) Hell, over on USL Discussions this morning you yourself wrote “I roll with winners, and that is the Stars” in reference to why you don’t follow the viqueens. So I’ll repeat, do you really want to go with “we are not fair weathered fans”?
@sedlie, do you realize the Dark Clouds have a song about the Timbers and their personal hygiene? I have never seen you out at the Nessy (or the Robbie) at a rain or snow game–so yeah, I guess I do look across the stadium and I do not see you.
I am also objecting to your comments as you have taken me out of context!
Assuming the terms of the agreement were as sweet as Djorn says, I support the team and the decision. I just hope that they understand that I (and I’m assuming many other die hard fans) had been looking forward to an open cup game with an MLS team not for just a week, but for years. Although this happens in Europe, in Europe you can usually take a road trip to the game.
@Soccer Boy
Yes, I’m well aware of the song set to the tune of Frère Jacques. Too bad it only has one verse. We’ve got three verses for Minnesotans, although one of them only works for post-game fireworks matches (like July 4th).
You’re looking the wrong way if you’re looking for me; you need to look to your left or right. Haha, do you really want to question whether I’ve continued to attend matches for my adopted teams while in MN? I’ve been at NSC in the rain (one match I particularly enjoyed was getting soaked head to toe in the beer garden then racing home after the match to catch the Timbers on USLLive. Much of the crowd that night went for cover or just plain left). I’ve been at The Robbie in the snow. (The playoff match a couple of years ago with the huge snowbanks around the field was great. I even sat next to another guy that was sporting some Oregon State gear.) Calling out other supporters with your nonsense makes you look foolish.
“Look at the fans, to your left and right, you won’t be seeing them, on the next game night!”
Max just gave me an idea. Maybe the Stars hold a contest for season ticket holders or the general fan base and the lucky winner get plane tickets, hotel, and game tickets for 4 to the game in Utah
I’ve heard unconfirmed reports that Seattle gave Atlanta 150k for the game. If that is true, it was a no brainer for Atlanta to take the money.
I think it’s unfair that the next round is so close. It clearly puts the lower division clubs in a serious bind. That’s an USSF issue. Of course, it’s an advantage for upper division teams: home ground, no travel, etc.
I support the decision of any lower division club to concentrate on income/profitability in such a situation. The chances of winning a game against an MLS teams are still fairly low (even for NASL & USLPro).
Of course, it’s a loss for the die-hard fans, but sometimes it’s difficult even for devoted fans to make plans to attend a game with such short notice.
However, we need to remember that going into the home stadium of an MLS team is a very useful experience for any lower division player. For our MN players, this game at Rio Tinto is going to be a great mental and emotional confidence builder. I’m sure of that.
@ Djorn – Thank you for addressing us. It’s very satisfying to see that you are so open to communicating with the fanbase. Thank You!
@smatthew – @mndarkclouds on Twitter sent a link. Looks like it will be on UStream tonight.