Kitsap Pumas Owner Claims "Nobody Cares" In Seattle About Open Cup

by Dave Clark on Jun 23, 2011 9:21 AM PDT in Sounders: US Open Cup

Seriously. While the majority of the story in the Kitsap Sun was concerned about how this game could move the needle on the other side of the Puget Sound, Waite said:

"Realistically for the good of soccer in the Puget Sound, this game should be played here," Pumas owner Robin Waite said. "Nobody cares over there."

And while many would prefer that the Seattle Sounders play this game at Qwest-CenturyLink-RBP-That Massive Stadium, that is not a sign of the ownership, nor the fans not caring about the US Open Cup. A club doesn't win back-to-back trophies by not caring. A club doesn't get in a war of words with DC United because they don't care.

In 2007 the USL Seattle Sounders played their Open Cup matches v MLS sides at Qwest Field drubbing the Colorado Rapids 5-0 and getting edged by FC Dallas in overtime 2-1. More than 10,000 showed up for each of those. When Seattle took on the Columbus Crew in the Open Cup Final in 2010 another attendance record was set, this time by people who cared about the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On Tuesday there will be a passionate 4,500 or so fans packed in as tightly as the can. They will be at a game with a derth of facilities to see their team perform and win. www.SoundersFC.com will webcast the match, and thousands around the world will watch online.We care over here Mr Waite.

The club cared enough to outbid the Los Angeles Galaxy to host the next round too.I would like to thank you for starting #HateKitsapWeek because I don't think it would have happened without your statement.

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Comments

Is it really a good idea to slag off the club that provides all of your good players?

by Aaron Campeau on Jun 23, 2011 9:24 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Nothing wrong about building some rivarly

I’m sure the biggest problem the Pumas have isn’t playing the game in Tuckwilla. It’s getting people to notice their own damn team for regular league games. We’ll respond by packing Starfire to the brim with twice as many people that probably show up for their regular games. ;-)

And I really doubt Adrian or Sigi take this kind of criticism in the media to heart.

by Dizzo on Jun 23, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

I think this is basically like the chest-thumping before the DC game – basically to get the rivalry going a bit before the match kicks off.

by Nevtelen on Jun 23, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

That was my immediate first thought too.

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.

by 108Ultra on Jun 23, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

One Kitsap Pumas player last year was Sounders reserves, one player this year ditto. That's um, "all of " our good players? You think one Sounder reserve--who was good, granted, but not a starter--is why the Pumas made to the 2nd round of the Cup?

by Alison Loris on Jun 24, 2011 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Meredith

Wallace
Perdido
Besagno

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice try Dave

Wallace is now at Richmond in USL Pro
Besagno played for Tacoma Tide in 2009 after leaving Sounders USL
Perdido no golas in 2011 and not starting.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

That's four players of a 20 man roster over two season with Sounders ties

And a coach

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

And, let's actually assume I know this

because I have provided tracking reports on these players.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Having ties to the Sounders is not the same as directly providing

how far do you want to make the Sounder connection?
2 other players from last season’s Pumas team played for Sounders USL in 2008.
There are dozens of guys who have ties to the USL Sounders.

In reference to the post above “Is it really a good idea to slag off the club that provides all of your good players?” From this season’s team, only Meredith is a starter that came directly from the Sounders.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions

By your definition even Meredith doesn't count

As he is not a Sounders player

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions

que? I did not state that!

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

As a person that grew up in Kitsap and even played games at the Pumas home stadium as a high school player....

I will gladly join in on #HateKitsapWeek. Kitsap is so lame it crushes your soul. I moved to a real city the first chance i got :).

by DarthGreedo on Jun 23, 2011 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Does he realize

that no one cares about Kitsap at all, let alone in the USOC?

by B-Lot tailgater on Jun 23, 2011 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

I'm trying to figure out if he's saying fans over here don't care about the USOC

or if he was saying fans over here don’t care about the “for the good of the sport” piece. I interpreted it both ways. I think it would be ridiculous of anyone to say that Seattle doesn’t care, because all I ever hear is Seattle is the only one that cares about the cup.

by chrisperry1983 on Jun 23, 2011 9:53 AM PDT reply actions

If you take what he said with a grain of salt, really beating the Pumas here at Starfire won’t raise the profile of the Sounders/soccer here in Seattle.

The hard cores will be happy and will be there, but very few people that haven’t cared the first two years will suddenly become interested. If several thousand people showed up in Bremerton to watch a soccer game, it would be big news and the Pumas could benefit a lot (win or lose).

by Kalani on Jun 23, 2011 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

Oh, the good of the sport thing he said is quite true

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 23, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

You've taken the statement "nobody cares" out of context!!

Reread the statement:
“Realistically for the good of soccer in the Puget Sound, this game should be played here,” Pumas owner Robin Waite said. “Nobody cares over there.”

The “nobody cares” is in reference to “for the good of soccer in the Puget Sound” – not in reference about nobody associated with the Sounders not caring about the Cup.

Stop trying to incite hatred about a statement that you took out of context.

by zackjake on Jun 23, 2011 11:58 AM PDT reply actions

If it is, as you claim, about the "Good of Soccer in the Puget Sound"

then it still is an absurd comment. Adrian Hanauer has been acting for the good of soccer in Puget Sound for nearly a decade. The team is on a broadcast channel in Seattle and cable throughout Washington. People clearly care about the good of soccer in Seattle.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 23, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

his comment is that no cares about the good of soccer

in the PUGET SOUND REGION, not Seattle.

Scoreboards, not billboards.
Regular season, not pre-season.

by lysander on Jun 23, 2011 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

If that were true the Sounders wouldn't have camps all over the region

they wouldn’t farm their draft picks to a team in the region
they wouldn’t broadcast on FM radio heard all over the region
they wouldn’t have both cable and broadcast TV
they wouldn’t have players doing appearances all of the region

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 23, 2011 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

There's more to it than what you listed. Yes, the Sounders to things in the Seattle area but not elsewhere in the region.

Colorado Rapids played at Real Colorado Foxes of the PDL (the team the Pumas defeated on Tuesday night) on Wednesday night. The Philadelphia Union played at Reading United AC of the PDL at the end of May. Many of the other MLS teams play friendlies at the home of local lower level teams. Dallas and Houston to name 2 more. With now 4 PDL teams in the region, have the Sounders played friendlies at their fields in the past 3 seasons? NO. If those teams want to play the Sounders Reserves, it is under the Sounders terms, at Starfire, closed doors, and the other teams to put out no info on the scrimmages prior to the happening so the other teams fans do not show up. (Then when the Sounders win, they blast it to all the media).

Tuesday’s 3rd round Open Cup will be just another Sounders event at Starfire just like the last 3 seasons, but a match at Bremerton would have been a huge event not only for the Kitsap area but would have helped the Sounders in the PR department. Right now, the Sounders come off as being arrogant, bullying arses not willing to help a team with which they have a relationship with. The Sounders were not willing to help set aside tickets for the Pumas so their fans can attend Tuesday’s match. But yet they did with the Timbers and Whitecaps for the Cascadia Summit in the preseason.

At least 90% of the Pumas’ fans are also Sounders fans. Many cannot afford to pay $40-$50 a seat to take their families to see a Sounders match as those are the only ones left when the single game tickets go on sale. I would love to take my 2 girls to see the Sounders in Seattle but we only go see the Community Shield matches because the tickets are overpriced.

The PDL teams are not trying to take away fans from the Sounders. The Sounders draw 36K a match during the regular season. Not all 36K live in Seattle. How come those people do not also support the other local teams where they live? What the PDL teams are saying is we have teams near where you live. Why not support our teams as well? Two of the teams nearly folded prior to this season but stayed on for this season. They might not be back next season. for lack of fans.

The Tacoma Tide of the PDL have been in exis but not tance since 2006. Yet they have trouble drawing a fan base. How many of those 36K a game for the Sounders live in Pierce County that could also support the Tide when the Sounders are not playing?

Yes, the Sounders have done well with marketing and building the Sounders brand in Puget Sound. What about helping the teams and communities in the region?

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

The Sounders have scrimmaged against Kitsap numerous times

The doors haven’t been closed, I reported on them in 2009. So paragraph one is wrong.

Paragraph 2 insists that the Sounders have forfeited the process of the tournament for the good of Kitsap, not the good of soccer in the Puget Sound. How does forcing a ferry ride help people in Issaquah, or Federal Way, or Bothell?

Paragraph 3 sets forth the false concept that it is the Sounders duty to enforce support of semi-pro/amatuer soccer of which they have no affilitation. This is NOT their duty. One can help the sport grow without supporting those team.

So now, you have shifted his statement again. It went from not caring about the open cup, to not caring about growing soccer in the puget sound, to

NOT GROWING THE OTHER TEAMS IN THE REGION.

That’s absurd. They grow the sport.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

in 2009 and 2010, the scrimmages were not made public until that morning.

Reporting on the event afterward is not the same. And a scrimmage at Starfire is definitely not the same as a friendly at another city in the region.

My paragraph 3 never stated it was the Sounders duty to enforce support – but they sure can help promote and support the other clubs as players from those clubs have suited up for the Sounders and Reserves in matches: ie: Jordan Jennings (Tacoma Tide) in last season’s friendly vs Celtic; Cameron Hepple (Kitsap) and Daniel Gray (Tacoma) were available for a Reserve match.

I’ve never stated the Sounders do not care about the Open Cup. I know the Sounders do take it seriously as winning the US Open Cup gets into the CCL and international spotlight.

You are the one who first took the “nobody cares” statement out of context and said it was about the Open Cup. Basic comprehension would determine what his statement was referring to.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Basic reading comprehension?

You mean like the KitsapSun and now two reporters, as well as the Pumas PR guy don’t have?

I highly appreciate the more affordable nature of the PDL, but there is no responsibility for the Sounders to promote those teams. And the Sounders certainly do promote the sport in those communities in ways the PDL teams can not.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions

You are right, it is not the Sounders responsibility,

but they can HELP like the other MLS teams do with the PDL clubs in their area by having friendlies or preseason matches at the PDL teams field. That way everyone benefits.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

You do know I proposed a pre-season tourney be held amongst ALL Cascadian teams?

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

so what was the responce - other than it not happening

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions

It was two years ago, merely on this site

After the Constitution gets done I will present it formally to club.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

You know Dave

always trying to incite hatred.

Nos Audietis

by sidereal on Jun 23, 2011 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

If it is, as you claim, about is "not a sign of the [SSFC] ownership, nor the fans not caring about the US Open Cup"

then that comment is more absurd because nowhere in the article was this mentioned anywhere by the Pumas’ owner or anyone associated with the Pumas.

Now, it does appear that the article writer Stark took the “nobody cares” statement out of context as well.

What do the Sounders gain by having the match at Starfire other than home field advantage. The Sounders did not mind if they played over in Kitsap last season had the Pumas advanced to the 3rd round, so now then what is the difference? If this or last season Cup match were to be held in Kitsap, there still would be an overwhelmingly large number of Sounders supporters and fans there so it would still be a home advantage.

by zackjake on Jun 23, 2011 1:24 PM PDT reply actions

Having more fans isn't the only factor in Home Field Advantage

Playing at Starfire is differant then playing at Memorial Stadium in Bremerton, the fields are differant. The stands are differant, the crowd is differant, and travel is differant.

Sounders want to win the tournament. Everything else is secondary. You don’t give up an advantage over an opponent just to be nice. Screw that. I want to win. Forget the “for the good of the game” bs. The game is doing just fine.

by DarthGreedo on Jun 23, 2011 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

word

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jun 23, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Learning

I can’t take you seriously. You obviously have a “differant” opinion than myself. The whole point of tournaments such as this is to give the lower level teams a chance to shine. Or at least show there worth.

by Josh McKenna on Jun 28, 2011 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Play it in Kitsap

Obviously no serious Cascadian soccer fan can say that the Sounders don’t care about the Open Cup without tongue firmly planted in cheek, but I agree it should be played in Kitsap. The reason is pretty simple, it’s never going to be a rivalry of any sort, but creating a soccer “event” on the peninsula can only help expose the game, the Pumas, and the Sounders. Obviously that’s not happening, but I wish it were.

by Derek Young on Jun 24, 2011 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

Young is right.

Waite’s point was always that playing the game in Kitsap would have made much more difference to the climate of pro soccer at ALL levels in the Puget Sound region than just another match at Starfire. That is what Sounders mgmt doesn’t care about.

Sounders mgmt also dissed Kitsap County by refusing to sell tix by phone or online, requiring either a trip to the QWhatsit box office or enriching Ticketmonster.

by Alison Loris on Jun 24, 2011 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Sounders management doesn't care about growing the sport?

seriously?

That’s why they’ve been involved longer than Waite? That’s why they operate more camps in more spaces than Waite? That’s why they have their games on broadcast and radio unlike most MLS sides? Because they don’t care about growing the sport in Puget Sound.

Also, Ticketmaster is online, and has an agreement with the Seahawks/Sounders for online and phone ticket distribution. Playing Kitsap doesn’t erase contracts.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

tickets for the Open Cup match

one of the webpages (trying to find it) said people could call the then-Qwest office for tickets, go to the stadium or go online via ticketmaster. One person called the phonenumber for the Qwest office that was listed and they could not and would not help.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions

fields are different

Yeah, Kitsap has real grass.

by Alison Loris on Jun 24, 2011 6:55 PM PDT reply actions

And football lines

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

then those must have been added since Tuesday night because they have not been there all season.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Could have sworn I saw some in photos

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Look - I have nothing against Sounders players or team.

What I do not like is someone taking things out of context and putting words in someone’s mouth. And then someone starting the HateKitsapWeek.

Did you try calling or emailing the Pumas office to ask Mr. Waite himself directly what he meant? Had that been done – and not relying on the unreliable Kitsap Sun – all these statements and comments could have been avoided.

Most or nearly all Pumas fans are also Sounders fans. We are hoping over here to have the Sounders play a match on our side of the water, either a preseason or in-season friendly even against the Reserves. Not every one here can afford to got to Qwest/CLink to see the Sounders as all the remaining seats are >$35 each.

by zackjake on Jun 24, 2011 10:20 PM PDT reply actions

So we'll see you out here for the Earthquakes?

Seats are only 15$

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

And seriously

#HateKitsapWeek isn’t serious.

Waite made a foolish statement to his local paper. That’s ok. I can’t hate Kitsap, let’s be honest. I live in Renton.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 24, 2011 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

perhaps - but I won't be getting then thru ticketmonster where they become $22 each.

by zackjake on Jun 25, 2011 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions

think you missed the point

they don’t care is directed at the front office, not our supporters. If you actually read the Kitsap Sun article you would’ve seen that the comment was made in response to the Sounders holding the game at a smaller venue. 4,500 seats, ticketbastard charges on top of $18 a pop. What if Kitsap could’ve hosted in a 7,000 seat stadium for $10 for each ticket (in theory) and NO ticketbastard charges? Yes, the Seattle FO doesn’t care about things like that. His comments were directed at our front office, never at our supporters in my opinion.

by eevilzach on Jun 25, 2011 12:20 AM PDT reply actions

I clearly have read the Kitsap Sun post

And to claim that the Front Office doesn’t care about growing soccer in the Puget Sound is to ignore their entire history of supporting soccer in the Puget Sound.

They in fact care so little that they bid more to host.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 25, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

You are still missing the point!

Regarding this 1 game, what would have a bigger impact on soccer in Puget Sound region?

Another US Open Cup match at Starfire (7th in 3 years) were there would be around 4500 or around the same amount at Bremerton?

Over here, the team and fans are disappointed in this situation as the team has worked hard to win the Open Cup berth by proposing that the spot be played out on the field instead of an office in Tampa and then traveling to El Paso in 100 degree heat with a rookie keeper making his first start. They fought hard for the shootout win in Texas. It was the team’s and fans’ goal to play the Sounders – at home in Bremerton – because everyone here knew the impact it would have on this area.

In a similar way, what kind of impact would there have been had this recent Gold Cup have had in the region if the US Men’s team played here in Seattle. Do you remember how disappointed people were here when the host cities were announced and Seattle was shutout?

Yes Yes Yes. The Sounders team and name has done alot for soccer in the PS region for a long time. More $$$$ and name recognition and now a major league team does that. Yes, the Sounders hold many more camps thru out the state than the Pumas and broadcast more, etc and everything else you stated above.

by zackjake on Jun 25, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Isn't hosting games a bidding process?

Or is it just for the final? Or do they draw who hosts like the FA cup in England? If the Sounders bid for hosting rights before the teams are listed it makes total sense that they wouldn’t want to fly to CO if Real Colorado had won. If so why would the Sounders FO throw away money just so Kitsap can host the game? Maybe I’m wrong about how the sites are selected.

by Colin Johnson on Jun 25, 2011 2:34 AM PDT reply actions

yes it is a bidding process;

however, they had no problem going down to PDX the past 2 seasons where there was more of a likelihood of losing those matches than against the potential of 2 PDL teams.

by zackjake on Jun 25, 2011 8:18 AM PDT reply actions

Had no problem?

No, they were outbid by the aggressive little brother. Those were Portland’s two biggest games in their USL history.

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jun 25, 2011 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions

So Kitsap was outbid

and the Sounders are the bad guy because we had the highest bid and don’t want so give that away for the betterment of another club? This is a business. If Kitsap really wanted to host the game they shouldve bid more instead of coming out and saying its Seattles fault. They had as fair of a shot of hosting as Seattle. I know Seattle has more capital compared to Kitsap, but If the Pumas FO really wanted to host the game to grow their brand they shouldve bid more. Seattle bid to host so they wouldnt have to travel and did so in their business’ best intrest.

by Colin Johnson on Jun 25, 2011 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions