Flags Around the Nest

by Dave Clark on Jul 28, 2009 7:25 PM PDT in Democracy in Sports Comment 5 comments

From a public flikr

Maybe you've noticed the flags that line the Nest on the North End of Qwest above the NES. Maybe you've wondered "Why those flags?"

You might already know, if your memory is better than my own.

They are the 32 nations in the last World Cup in order of finish, with the one change being our national flag up top.

Personally, I think that they should be the flags of the 47 nations where MLS players originate. MLS is a club league, and so the nations that matter most are the two where clubs operate, and then the ones where the most players call home. This would increase fan identification with the league, if only a little bit.

Another idea for flags would be to borrow from baseball, and have the two Conferences and their standings represented in order of current standing. While this would diminish the attachment to the World's Game, it would increase attachment to the league.

Do any of these three concepts intrigue you?

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I had no idea there was any significance to the setup now. Now that I know, I really enjoy the thought. I’m all for leaving it the way it is.

by McKenzie Clark on Jul 28, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions

I could go with the first idea, but the second one sounds like a lot of work. I guess if you’re going by country of origin you’d rank them by what? Representation? So France’s flag would be last (only Seba) and I don’t know who would be first?
I think in the end I prefer the tie in to the World Cup. It’s a reminder that it really is one big game all over the world.

by CarlosT on Jul 28, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

I think I like the way it is. I will say, that I had no idea. Your post just gave some info that is interesting. The next game I will be looking up at the flags. I think the world cup order is nice. The flags of the MLS players would be better than the standings, however too many. I think just stay with what it is. Thanks for pointing it out though. I always love this site for the extra-curricular activity. Great job!

by TL on Jul 28, 2009 9:55 PM PDT reply actions

originally, i thought they represented the nations of players from around the league, but then I saw there was no Bolivia, and couldn’t figure out what they were for. This makes sense, though. If they were to switch it to represented nations, they could easily just do it alphabetically, but it would require more changing as players come and go vs. the same flags for 4 years at a time.

by gary on Jul 30, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions