Manchester United Will Play Seattle Sounders In July 20 Friendly
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 7:52 AM PDT
in Sounders: Friendlies
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UPDATE II: According to @JoshuaMayers, the games before and after the Manchester United match will also be played on the temporary grass surface. The means Colorado Rapids on July 16 and Philadelphia Union on July 23.
UPDATE: It has been confirmed by a Sounders official that the game will be played on grass. The Sounders also brought in a temporary grass surface when Barcelona and Chelsea visited in 2009.
The long-rumored friendly against Manchester United has been made official. The Seattle Sounders will play the Red Devils at Qwest Field on July 20, a team release announced:
"Our fans deserve the best and we have provided a blockbuster match," Sounders majority owner Joe Roth said. "Manchester United is perhaps the most popular team on the planet and certainly one of most successful. Yet on this summer night the loudest roars of the crowd will be saved for the home side, Sounders FC. I imagine people from throughout the West will descend upon Seattle to see this match."
The scheduling of the Red Devils fulfills the Sounders' promise to bring in a "top 5" club for this summer's friendly, and will be the 18th game in the season-ticket package. Qwest's capacity will be expanded to included all of the upper bowl. Last year, there was a fair bit of controversy when the season-ticket package included three friendlies, none of whom carried the cachet of United. As a result, games against Boca Juniors, Celtic and Chivas de Guadalajara drew much smaller crowds than when the Sounders played against Barcelona and Chelsea in 2009.
Tickets for the game are currently available as part of a three-game package that also includes games against the New York Red Bulls (June 23) and the San Jose Earthquakes (Oct. 15). Individual-game tickets for the United match will go on sale to the public on June 1.
United is undoubtedly one of the most successful and famous clubs in the world, having most recently won three straight EPL titles from 2007-09 and becoming the first English side to win a European champions, most recently winning the Champions League in 2008. Among the players that are expected to make the U.S. trip are English national team members Wayne Rooney and defender Rio Ferdinand; other accomplished internationals such as Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria), Nani (Portugal), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia), Patrice Evra (France), Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Mexico); and legendary midfielder Ryan Giggs, the most decorated player in English history.
This will actually be United's third visit to Seattle, but the first they will be playing against the MLS version of the Sounders. The Red Devils played at Qwest Field in 2003 against Scotland's Celtic and played the NASL Sounders in 1982, a game Seattle won 3-0.
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Careful,,, most popular?????
Glad Roth said, “perhaps the most popular team on the planet”. Most popular team for newbies in North America or Asia.
I see the confused a lot...
I think the American vernacular, popular=well supported. I realize that in other parts of the world, popular=most liked. I think Roth is merely talking about how many fans ManU has, while not really commenting on the near universal loathing non-supporters feel about them.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I think hyperbole will always draw some criticism...
especially for a team like Man U. For many, including myself, Man U equals the Red Sox or New York Yankees. They spend, they scoop up newbie fans that want to cheer for a winner rather than stick with a team because of actual ties. But like those Red Sox fans they buy tickets, buy jerseys, and buy into a popular juggernaut of a brand. Anytime that happens, it will draw loathing about them from non-supporters.
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
You will hear us!
Anyone who claims that the Yankees aren't the most popular team in baseball
is being foolish.
Same goes for Manchester United.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Mar 29, 2011 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree
Yankees are also on the top of many people’s most loathed lists too!
Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum
You will hear us!
Kool Aid being served, I'm thirsty
I know we live in an English colony here in America. However the propaganda that is FSC, and “The Barclay’s Premier League” is a bit tiring.
put forward a team with a larger fanbase
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
by Dave Clark on Mar 29, 2011 10:15 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United,
Revenue list from the international accounting firm Deloitte.
Revenue does not equal fanbase
Particularly in this case when you are comparing two clubs that don’t share their TV revenue domestically to one that does.
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Merchandising sales
My mistake, should have been more clear. When you look at the list, Madrid and Barca blow MU out of the water for world wide merchandising sales, which maybe speaks to popularity. United is of course a huge club and kudos for getting this friendly organized. However even Fergie admits this club has not won in Europe enough. Are they really as good as the Premier League fan boys say? Apples and oranges debate is fun though.
objective or subjective measurements...
I feel pretty fortunate to have drawn clubs such as Chelsea, Barcelona, and Manchester United to Seattle in a 3-year span for friendlies… no matter what one’s stance might be on the friendlies vs trophies.
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
Man U
Is easily the most popular soccer team in the world, by pretty much every metric.
Oh dear....
….I’m afraid I’ve fallen hook line and sinker. When is Chelsea coming?
Grass?
Are they installing grass for the match?
I updated teh story. It will be on grass
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Wow, i got up way too early today
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
the first English side to win the Champions League in 2008...
… since Liverpool won it in 2005.
since United in 1968 and 1999
in 1968, United were the first English side to be crowned champions of Europe
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
now fixed, should have read most recently in 2008
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes, but the difference between what I said and what you're saying
Is that I’m directly referencing something Jeremiah said and you’re pulling an irrelevant fact from the football’s historical factbooks. I didn’t point it out to start a petty game of x is better than y, I pointed it out because the post was factually inaccurate.
gotcha
I failed to realize the context of what you said… my bad, I hadn’t read the update yet.
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
Perhaps this is a good time to remind why "Man U" is an insulting term
Since Seattle soccer supporters are generally the most knowledgeable in regards to the sport in this country, this might be a good time to remind/explain why “Man U” is an insulting term to the club and its supporters. It relates to insulting Duncan Edwards and his resulting death from injuries sustained in the 1958 Munich air disaster.
Long story short, insulting chants were started by other English supporters when United came visiting. It began with West Brom supporters:
“Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure rotting in your grave.” The genesis of the “ManU” insult is a chant to insult the deceased Duncan Edwards.
United’s other rivals ran with this chant and created other vicious ones as well. Hence, this is why “ManU” makes its supporters cringe…. to some, it makes their blood boil.
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
and it's now been scrubbed
Apologies. I honestly had no idea the term was offensive.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
no worries
My guess is that 98% of people who reference the club that way have no idea. I just figured its might be some knowledge that Sounders supporters might like to know.
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
Absolutely
And having the full context of the insult is actually helpful.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 29, 2011 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions
perhaps not...
if you’re among Manchester City supporters
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
Curious?
Are you from Seattle?
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
I am
and a Sounders supporter
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
More knowledge of soccer in Seattle?
Do you really think we know more than other cities about soccer? We may have more fans, but I am not sure our fans are any more knowledgeable than other fans. We might like to think so but that does not make it so.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
perhaps I'm biased :)
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
Fair enough...
It just bothers me when I read PDX fans acting all high and mighty looking down on the rest of us and I would hate for other fans to look at us sounder fans the same way.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
Well maybe
with a new kid on the block we can change that image around.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
No one cares
That chant was 50 years ago, get over it.
by B-Lot tailgater on Mar 30, 2011 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Lots of people do care and it's just not that difficult not to use the term
by Aaron Campeau on Mar 30, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Ok
Are you also going to go and tell all other MLS fans to not refer to the Sounders as the Flounders? Because I am sure some find that offensive.
Please, its pointless whining from a fan of the most popular team on earth, and one of the most successful to boot. When are you that loved, you are going to be hated too, it comes with the territory. Crying about it just makes you sound like a spoiled brat.
by B-Lot tailgater on Mar 30, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
As a United supporter...
I understand it’s not common knowledge here in the U.S… maybe it’s why I don’t take much offense to it (perhaps I should). However, at the same time, I try to be respectful of those that do… especially when you consider the context of it all. No matter what your allegiance is, the Munich Air Disaster was a pretty horrific event in the history of the sport.
I’m not exactly sure where I came across as “crying about it”… I guess tone can get lost in translation in a comments section.
As Sounders supporters, we have some great fans…. including many who have a genuine curiosity to be informed. Take what you will with that information… what you do with it and any opinions you express reflects on yourself.
Writer for SB Nation's Manchester United blog, 'The Busby Babe'
http://twitter.com/#!/Tui11BRoy3
"ROOOONEY!.... It defies description. How about spectacular?...How about superb?"
It is a savings
of 4 sylables when speaking and countless more when typing. I do not see it ever going away.
The options are:
1. people to stop saying/typing it
2. people stop being offended when it is said
3. the status quo.
The vast majority of people have no idea and will probably never change even if they did so the likelyhood of 1happening is next to nothing. And the vast majority of people do not really care between 2 & 3.
For the minority of people that get offended, their choice is 2 or 3. I would think it is in their best interest to let by gones be bygones and just stop being offended.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
by lysander on Mar 30, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Here's the thing
We’re not telling anyone they can’t use the term. Gene Um was merely pointing out that the term is seen as offensive to some. Since my intention was not to offend, I changed it. If you prefer to continue to use it, be my guest.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, North American soccer editor SB Nation and of course follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 30, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
And I am not saying
that people can not continue to be offended.
Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.
Wonder how much I can get for a seat in 127...
I’ve already seen United 3 times and they’re on FSC pretty much every week anyhow.
I'm hoping to find out too
as soon as StubHub adds it to the docket.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
Because dying grass with seams will play really well?
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart
Duh
"But who would listen to Little old me anyway?"
-by thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Mar 29, 2011 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You
are quickly becoming my favorite commenter here. Keep that sarcasm flowing!
by LoiteringWithIntent on Mar 29, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Hopefully it'll come out in huge clods
Forcing everyone to wear 2 inch studs, and then someone will go in on a Sounders player studs up and. . oh, wait. Never mind.
Nos Audietis
It's all part of the master plan
to slow down Omar Cummings and Seba LeToux.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. We are all around you, there is no escape.
Is grass really helpful for the Sounders?
I mean, they’re used to playing on the FieldTurf. Does that take away some of the home field advantage?
by LoiteringWithIntent on Mar 29, 2011 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions
So much more excited about some MLS matches on real grass than a meaningless game with a team I don’t care about. Well assuming it is nice grass that is.
Ay, there's the rub
Well assuming it is nice grass that is.
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