Sounders Move Game Against RSL, Reportedly To Make Room For Friendly
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 11:09 AM PST
in Sounders: Friendlies
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UPDATE: The Sounders confirmed the date change, but offered no other details as to why the change was made.
It would appear the Seattle Sounders may be getting close to announcing details of their summer friendly. A league source has confirmed to Sounder at Heart what Michael C. Lewis originally tweeted that the Sounders' home game against Real Salt Lake will be moved from July 18 to Oct. 17 in order to accomodate an international friendly.
Team official says #RSL game at Seattle on July 18 is going to be moved to Oct. 17 ... evidently to make room for int'l friendly.
— Michael C. Lewis (@MCLTribune) February 8, 2012
Among the European clubs that are believed to be making summer tours are Liverpool, Chelsea, AS Roma, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Celtic. The Sounders have previously played Celtic and Chelsea. Two years ago, they were largely believed to have been in negotiations with Real Madrid.
From a competitive perspective, this change would probably have a neutral effect on the schedule. As it stands now, the Sounders would have to play RSL just three days after a match in New York. Moving the July 18 game would create a 13-day gap between competitive matches. The Oct. 17 date would come a day after the fourth and final international break. It would also close a 14-day gap between competitive matches, 10 days after a home match against the Portland Timbers and four days before a home match against FC Dallas.
Who would you like to see the Sounders play?
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Liverpool or Real Madrid
I’d go to the Liverpool game and a game against Real Madrid would net the most $ for my ticket
Real Madrid for me.
At some point though I would love to see them play Arsenal.
by TS6 on Feb 8, 2012 11:24 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Nononono not Arsenal
Some might thing it’s great to have your two favorite teams play each other, but to me that’s the worst thing possible.
In a perfect world, Arsenal go to Vancouver and play the ’caps and I can go and cheer for the Gunners guilt-free.
As for this summer, I don’t particularly care, since we’ll likely be selling our tickets, and probably wouldn’t have a hard time finding a buyer for any of the teams listed.
That's a good point.
I can’t wait to see the Gunners too, but I think I’d prefer them to head south to Portland rather than up to Vancouver.
As for the teams listed above, I really don’t care. I’m not sure if I’ll be going or if I’ll sell my tickets. It probably depends on if I need the money or not.
Liverpool or Real Madrid
…but I’d love to see Arsenal or River Plate
river plate ? no we beat boca jr 3-0 it would be 5-0 if we face river plate
by alexyepz on Feb 8, 2012 11:49 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
If I remember correctly...
Boca didn’t bring their A-team. Mostly, I would like to see it being a fan of Argentine Primera Divsion. But hey, nothing is wrong with wanting to watch the Sounders beat up on an international team in a friendly!
Inter or Liverpool
Someone on here (Dave?) eluded to Real Madrid pulling out on the Sounders due to their perceived travel concerns and it left a sour taste in the FO’s mouth. After the debacle that was last year, I’d settle for the team we can compete with rather than scheduling a dog and pony show.
Go banana!
If we play our starters
For more than one half, the score wouldn’t be nearly as bad, plus man Utd played their starters against our reserves, something which will probably not happen again
by RaveGreenForever on Feb 8, 2012 2:50 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Inter, definitely Inter
I’d actually want us to give up a free kick so I could see Sneijder take a free kick and see if Gspurning could save. Epic!
Or Diego Milito
With the added benefit of not witnessing an assault at the hands/feet of Luis Suarez.
Go banana!
by Disco_Stew on Feb 8, 2012 7:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
AS Roma
and I’m probably all alone in this.
They are my #1 European team… or at least tied for #1 with Wolverhampton (my loyalties are all over the place)
Although I saw them play close to 7 or 8 times when I was over in Rome… if they came here, it might be an opportunity for me to finally travel west of the Mississippi (I know, I’m sheltered)
by BaltimoreIslander on Feb 8, 2012 11:33 AM PST reply actions
Same
I favor them the most in Serie A, mostly because of De Rossi, always like Totti too, and since they picked up Pjanic and Bojan whom I’m familiar with and like a lot because of all the Champions League I watch, they’re a really fun side that’s on the up recently and could challenge for the league, they destroyed Inter the other day which was awesome to watch.
real Madrid
Real Madrid + seattle sounders + cristano Ronaldo = money and crowd of 67,000
by alexyepz on Feb 8, 2012 11:38 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Liverpool, possibly
I’d probably go see Liverpool – because I have a cousin who’s a long-time supporter.
Otherwise… I think I’m burning out on Friendlies. After the nightmare of ManU last year, I was ready to never go to a Friendly again. Frankly, I don’t enjoy watching premier Euro teams kick my team’s ass, handily.
I'd go to a Liverpool friendly in a heartbeat
I’ve loved them for years, but have never gotten to see them in person. I do have a loose plan to go to Anfield in 2013 or 14 though…
Bullpen Banter
Fan: Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Liverpool
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Go
I grew up in England and managed to make it to about 55 of the 92 league grounds that were in existence back then. Anfield is one of my favorites. It’s a stadium with a ton of history and a real “working class” crowd that create an amazing atmosphere. It’s a little more of the “prawn sandwich” crowd nowadays but still an amazing place. Just be careful around the ground. it’s a rough city on gameday if you don’t have a liverpool accent.
by Gonna Win The League on Feb 8, 2012 12:55 PM PST up reply actions
I especially want to go now that there's going to be a new ground at some point in the next few years.
If I haven’t been before they break ground, that will become an at-any-expense type of trip.
Bullpen Banter
Fan: Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Liverpool
Twitter
Anfield is pretty cool
Personally I prefer Goodison, though.
You do all the work for us, Honey Badger, and we'll just eat whatever you find.
If you could see me, you'd see me shaking my fist at you.
Bullpen Banter
Fan: Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Liverpool
Twitter
I understand.
My motivation for going to Anfield and Goodison was the same as yours seems to be (neither ground in their current form can last that much longer). If you can go to both, do it (even as a Liverpool supporter). In about a week and a half I saw games at both big Liverpool grounds and both big Manchester ones. Not going to tell stories here, but basically I’m broke now from the whole trip (get paid next week finally), and I don’t really care to go back to England anytime soon, but it was worth it. If you can pull it off somehow, definitely do it.
You do all the work for us, Honey Badger, and we'll just eat whatever you find.
I'd like to see an Italian team or a German team
I believe it’s suppose to be a “Top 5” friendly, or something like that, which pretty much limits the Sounders to UEFA Champions League teams from England, Spain, Italy, and Germany. We’ve had Chelsea, Barca, Celtic, Boca Juniors, Chivas, and Manchester Utd, which is England (2), Spain (1), Argentina (1), Mexico (1), and Scotland (1). A good variety of nations represented (though they pretty thoroughly got hammered for the Boca-Celtic-Chivas year), but still no Italian or German side.
Does anyone have any insight about why Bayern Munich hasn’t been on a US tour recently (or ever?). Obviously it’s a bit harder for Germans to travel here than it is for the English, given the language barrier, but if I had to guess, I’d guess their team speaks English more than well enough to be a tourist in the US. Maybe from a marketing standpoint it just works out a lot better for English teams than for German teams, since a US soccer fan is a lot more likely to watch English language EPL coverage than German language Bundesliga coverage.
It might also be fun to bring in Santos (the 2011 Copa Libertadores champions), but that would mainly be interesting if Neymar played, and there’s no guarantee he’d be on the team or available to play, and from a marketing standpoint, I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t see Santos as a “Top 5” club or whatever that’s supposed to mean.
I think it's the difficulty of following the Bundesliga
I know enough German to be passable, but I still don’t follow the league. It’s simply harder to follow than the EPL and Serie A (which are on Fox Soccer).
ESPN3 shows some Bundesliga matches
Though you’re right in that it’s bloody hard at best to follow the league. Even ESPN usually only shows a couple matches a week.
Bullpen Banter
Fan: Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Liverpool
Twitter
That mainly seems like a good reason for the Bundesliga to try to get more US TV coverage
Yeah, it does mean there’s less incentive for teams to get their name out over here, but there’s potentially a lot of revenue to be had by capturing US soccer fans and they seem to be conceding it to England/Spain/Italy. I just find it somewhat surprising.
Goltv is your friend for Bundesliga. They show about 2 league matches a week.
by chazz4444 on Feb 8, 2012 2:05 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I don't have it in HD, so I don't have it
I filtered out all of my SD channels.
by arbeck77 on Feb 8, 2012 2:23 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Liverpool
Favorite team since I was in high school. Any other team I would sell the tickets.
| Recessionproof since 2009 | Win all the trophies! | You will surely get the Karkand |
Liverpool or Real
Either one will net me a nice premium on my ticket. After the last three years, I am all out on friendlies.
But whose friendly?
The quote says the game is being moved for an international friendly – it may be RSL who is scheduling a friendly around that date, though. Just a thought.
by foolsgambit on Feb 8, 2012 12:02 PM PST via Android app reply actions
it's for the Sounders
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Gotcha
Just making sure. There’s the trouble with twitter, there’s not always room for all the details….
by foolsgambit on Feb 8, 2012 1:00 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
That would actually be pretty fun.
Bullpen Banter
Fan: Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC, Liverpool
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Don't care
All of the parking lots charge 5x as much for the friendlies, and fans of the international team always stand in the aisle of my section to get closer to their idols. I had my account rep pull the friendly from my season tickets package. At this point I see friendlies as a way of getting more EPL fans to become Sounders STH; if letting fans of the international team see the Sounders up close rather than from the upper deck helps that, I’m happy to oblige (not sure if the blowout last season helped, though).
sold last years friendly for $80 each
easily online with ticketmanager in a matter of hours. It was like getting a 20% discount on my season tickets! If it’s Liverpool this year, ill go or my son will go (his favorite). Anyone else, and I am looking whomever can get me $80+ again.
by Steve Kowalsky on Feb 8, 2012 5:53 PM PST up reply actions
Just two home matches in MLS in June and July combined
That could have a competitive effect.
June-July schedule
Definitely not as bad as SKC, two at home, six on road. Not ideal, but not the end of the world.
6/1-5 Int’l break
6/5 Open Cup Fourth Round
6/8-12 Int’l break
6/16 MLS @ Montreal Local
6/20 MLS Vs. Sporting KC Local
6/24 MLS @ Portland ESPN
6/26 Open Cup Quarters
6/30 MLS @ New England Local
7/4 MLS @ RSL Local
7/7 MLS Vs. Colorado NBCSN
7/10 Open Cup Semis
7/15 MLS @ New York ESPN
7/25 All-Star Game
7/28 MLS @ Colorado Local
7/31-8/2 CCL Group Stage FSC
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
Agreed
I decided to save my “I’m outraged” steam for something more substantial.
Trying to bite my tongue on this as well . . .
There are going to be many complaints as more season ticket holders realize how many home games are stacked at the start and end of season. Definitely not a family-friendly home schedule this year.
For my part...
…I prefer it this way. Real life often gets in the way too much in the summer, making it harder to go to games. The weather won’t be as nice, but I’ll be able to make it to more games this year.
May is bit full. Especially since we already have a place to stay in Vancouver
for the May 19 away that same month.
Don't we only have 3 home games in May?
I mean, I guess that’s a little full, but we have 17 home games over 8 months, which means about 2 home games per month. As it stands now we have:
March: 3 home MLS
April: 1 home MLS — Midweek dates left open for CCL, one weekend left open for CCL rest
May: 3 home MLS
June: 1 home MLS — Some FIFA time off, June 26th left open for USOC
July: 1 home MLS — One game moved for friendly, midweek off for ASG
August: 2 home MLS
Sep: 2 home MLS — playing on a FIFA date in order to keep mid-week dates open for CCL
Oct: 3 home MLS
Could it be more even? Sure, but the Sounders and MLS have a lot of things to juggle, and we have to be one of the best places to play in MLS in March and October. Those games could also help get us off to a strong start and a strong finish to the season.
4 home games in May, 4 home games June - Aug.
And we’re one of the best places to play in March and Oct? Hardly. M’s insisted on a roof b/c it’s cold and rainy into June. Chicago might be worse, maybe Toronto. Boston is nice in the spring and fall – I travel there often.
Every city in the league except Van is south of us, gen’ly nicer in the spring and fall, with many not so nice in the summer. Dallas can hardly get anyone to show up in the summer.
http://www.sportmapworld.com/map/soccer/north-america/mls/
But we’ll make the best of it this year. Hopefully the March excitement keeps us warm in our seats, and we still have meaningful games in Oct.
I missed one of the May games, my bad
Seattle will have fewer really nice days in March than some other teams, but we’ll also have fewer really miserable days than some other cities, owing to our less variable climate. Consider average low and record low in a few cities:
Salt Lake: 38/16
DC: 38/4
KC: 36/-1
Seattle: 34/28
Harrison: 34/6
Philly: 34/5
Chicago: 31/-7
Columbus: 29/-3
Foxborough: 28/-4
Montreal: 28/-16 (will be outside next March)
Denver: 25/-8
Toronto: 22/??
There’s basically 10 teams in the league that have a reasonable chance of snow on the ground in March and into the first half of April. Unless the league is scheduling all of the March games in Texas and California, Cascadia home games are pretty attractive in March, especially if you want an evening game, which will bring in more TV revenue.
OK - it pretty much sucks everywhere up north in March :-(
But I’d still say Seattle got the worst skew on it’s schedule, for its climate. I took a look at a sampling of northern teams, for home games in the coldest months (Mar & Nov) and the summer months (Jun-Aug). Here is how we fair against our northern brethren:
Cold-Warm
Sea: 6-4
Van: 4-7
Por: 3-7
Chi: 3-6
NE: 2-8
Tor: 5-8
Phi: 4-8
NY: 4-6
Now, a quick sample of our southern brethren, who have pleasant weather in spring and fall, and some often oppressive heat in the summer months:
Warm-Hot
LAG: 6-5
CHV: 4-6
Hou: 2-10
Dal: 3-6
Conclusion: Seattle got the worst home game mix, weather-wise, of any of the northern teams. Moving the RSL game makes a bad situation worse. In the south, the league schedulers did no favors for the oppressed FCD fan base, and the Dynamo got hosed worse than we did.
I hesitate to suggest there is a league scheduling conspiracy against the BEST FAN BASE IN THE MLS, but this mix combined with the Cascadia schedule . . . I don’t know what to think.
Geez...
We also have the best home-away split in the Western Conference. There is no conspiracy against the Sounders.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 7:57 PM PST up reply actions
Just kidding about the conspiracy theory . . .
. . . other than the usual LA-NY biases that pervade all American professional sports leagues.
The MLS lack of home fan-friendly schedule balance for a few teams looks like negligence at best. But I was pleased to see that Mauro agrees with me, from the quote in Abbott’s article – “In the Summer, it is Paradise.” More summer home games would be nice – for fans and players. Maybe next year.
What is the common link between Houston and Seattle?
Both play in the 2012-2013 CCL group stage this summer. I see your point that the league could have optimized this particular aspect of the schedule better, but they have to juggle an awful lot of things in the schedule (multi-use stadiums, FIFA international dates, CCL, USOC, the Olympics this summer, weather, trying to minimize travel, etc.) They are always going to be compromising on some aspect of the schedule.
Another friendly...
Might as well be Iceland’s Stjarnan FC.
At least when they score on your team it’s a good time for all.
I’d almost rather have the game not involve the Sounders other than the cash grab portion of it. Although I do really like that our players get to “fulfill a dream” of playing against top talent. Fun to see them love the game like a kid for the night and be measured against the best.
Instead… Let’s bring in two “top 5” teams and face them off against each other. Have them sign contracts that say they’ll each play 5 of their regular XI.
I remember having a ton of fun when it was that format in the past (pre MLS).
Just a thought.
Not Celtic
I’d pay to watch Liverpool, Real Madrid an probably Chelsea with no hesitation. I think I’d also likely fork out the dough for Inter Milan. I’m not bothered about Roma and I’m certainly NOT interested in Celtic who only draw 40k or s when they came a while back.
Real Madrid would be my top choice followed very closely by Liverpool
by Gonna Win The League on Feb 8, 2012 12:49 PM PST reply actions
Inter Milan
I’d love to see Inter Milan. Big fan of Sneijder. Real Madrid would be exciting, too.
The others don’t do much for me at this point.
Please not Liverpool...
I saw them play twice last month in England (was not impressed, other than Gerrard, Reina, and Bellamy)… to replace the RSL game (one of only two I can possibly see in person this year) with any friendly bums me out. But at least if it were Inter or Madrid it’d be a team that’s pretty much straight up world class throughout the squad that I hadn’t seen in person in the previous seven months.
You do all the work for us, Honey Badger, and we'll just eat whatever you find.
Liverpool is incredibly boring.
Sorry Liverpool fans, it’s true. And I know boring.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 8, 2012 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I would describe them as
frustrating, incredibly incredibly frustrating. Anyways, I’ve never been able to see them and can only dream of someday being able to go to England and see a game live so I’ll take any chance I can get to see the only soccer team I love as much as the Sounders play. No matter how boring they may be.
| Recessionproof since 2009 | Win all the trophies! | You will surely get the Karkand |
Oh, absolutely.
Villa bores me to tears half the time but I’d still love a chance to see them live.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 8, 2012 3:24 PM PST up reply actions
Same here...
Nothing would make me happier than the Reds playing the Sounders on my birthday.
by regnaD kciN on Feb 8, 2012 3:35 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Don't forget Newcastle United are also making a summer USA tour
Win or lose, we'll always be there for you.
we can be assured it won't be Newcastle
As big as they may be, they aren’t big enough by the standards the Sounders have set.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
Yup
same reason I don’t ask to see Spurs play. Successful? Yes. But not a huge draw for the casual soccer fan.
by foolsgambit on Feb 9, 2012 7:55 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
I'm surprised to not have seen #trophiesnotfriendlies pop up yet?
I’d love to see Spurs. Other than that I could really care less. Would much rather them have a week off or a break in between a three-game stretch or whatever this move may create.
i think it's a given around here
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 1:57 PM PST up reply actions
#trophiesandonefriendly
Why choose when you can have it all?
by ubelmann on Feb 8, 2012 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I was thinking before that our friendly would be on July 22nd (only open weekend date in the summer)
I was also thinking that October 17th would be a CCL date (that week has been used for CCL in the past), but with the smaller CCL groups, I guess it is open for league play now. It’s probably a better situation for the Sounders to be playing RSL on 10 days rest, and then have a short turn-around to play another home game, rather than the previously scheduled case of playing RSL at home on short rest after returning from an away game.
Tottenham Hotspur would be cool, although not the sexiest pick.
Obviously not a blockbuster draw, or a team that appears on the possible list, but a Spurs match would be good enough for me to journey to Seattle for. Maybe within the next few years as Spurs’ stock continues to rise they’d make a better draw.
by Jason Riptide on Feb 8, 2012 2:54 PM PST via Android app reply actions
If 'Arry stays they have a Sounders connection
I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart | Follow Dave on Twitter @bedirthan
Any team that commands a high price in the ticket after-market
I’ve got bills to pay and #TrophiesNotFriendlies.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. Our yachts are all around you, there is no escape.
by 108Ultra on Feb 8, 2012 3:26 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
RSL in OCT?
Why leave ourselves vulnerable by playing a league rival at such a vital time of the schedule?
We play in LA less than two weeks later
two weeks later?
That’s a pretty long time. Plus, this way we don’t have to play at home just three days after playing at New York.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Feb 8, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
Sounds better to me
Now, it looks like the games near the end of the season will be very meaningful. We’ll (hopefully, probably) be in a race with RSL and LA for the “real shield” – while the East may get the SS this year, the best team in the league will be the West’s best.
by foolsgambit on Feb 9, 2012 8:01 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Personally I would love to see Juventus
As they are the only other team that I actually follow other than the Sounders. They have been playing quite well this year (only undefeated team). I’m sure they will put on a better show than they did last year at RBA, I mean Amauri is no longer with them so how could it be worse? :D
Juventus would be good.
They’re a fun team.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 8, 2012 8:10 PM PST up reply actions
But
Juve’s pink away kit+Sounders Super Cyan kit=Assault on the eyes.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. Our yachts are all around you, there is no escape.
Oh my god I hadn't even thought of this.
Now I want it more than anything in the world.
by Aaron Campeau on Feb 9, 2012 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Apparently enough to plagiarize my idea for your Twitter feed...
I’m just messing with you.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. Our yachts are all around you, there is no escape.
Liverpool
Liverpool are the reason I started watching football. My dad’s loved that club as long as I can remember, and the chance to go with him to see the reds play… that’s the dream. I don’t think it would be weird watching the two clubs I love play each other, I think it would be a chance of a lifetime. And a preamble to when they’ll meet at the club world cup.
by Jean-Paul Gentry on Feb 9, 2012 1:06 AM PST reply actions
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