MLS, the hypothetical Division One

Posted on December 7, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Now that the 2012 season is over, we could only ask ourselves, who was the real champion? Was it LA Galaxy, or San Jose Earthquakes? Who was the worthy, definitive, ultimate champion? I bet you would not point to either LA Galaxy or San Jose Earthquakes, let alone Houston Dynamo! They didn’t even finish in the top three in their respective conference.

But what would have looked like a single hypothetical Division One? Here is what we get to when we combine the final standings of the two conferences in one single table:

2012 MLS Final standings

MLS, the hypothetical Division One

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The Four Major Sports that MLS beat in the last three years

Posted on October 31, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

We asked ourselves what are the trends in stadium attendance for the major sports and how is MLS performing on such a dimension.

 

To our surprise, we found out that in the last three years MLS’s average stadium attendance per game increased at a pace more than double than all the other “Big Four” major sports in the U.S.

 

% CHANGE IN AVERAGE STADIUM ATTENDANCE PER GAME

% CHANGE IN AVERAGE STADIUM ATTENDANCE PER GAME

 

So, what would you say is the up-and-coming sport in the U.S.?

 

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MLS vs the “Big Four” major sports in the U.S.

Posted on October 28, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

We continue our series on comparing MLS to other leagues. Today we are looking at the stadium attendance comparison.

 

As we have seen recently, MLS fairs decently, in terms of attendance, with many other established soccer leagues. But, how about competing against the four mainstream domestic sports here in the US – how well is MLS doing? In a way, it is amazing that MLS has already reached this level of popularity. It’s a tough market, no question about it, however, there is definitely interest in the sport! And to prove the naysayers wrong, MLS is on par or even better than the NHL or NBA when it comes to average league attendance. Take a look:

 

MLS vs NFL MLB NHL NBA

MLS vs NFL MLB NHL NBA as of October 2012

 

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Comparing MLS’s Attendance to Other Soccer Leagues

Posted on October 22, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you just wonder how MLS’s attendance is comparing to other soccer leagues, the answer is – it fairs pretty well. Considering that it is so much younger than its counterparts, in Europe and elsewhere, it lacks the historical dimension and the deeper meaning. To its credit, MLS has been able to establish strong relations with regional fan bases and is able to attract decent crowds to most games. Here is a comparison to just a handful of soccer leagues:

 

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2012 – The Best Year of MLS?

Posted on October 21, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you haven’t paid attention, this year, the 2012 Season, is on track to become the “Best Year of MLS” – again! After last season was, at its time, “Best Year of MLS”, we will record another one. With average attendance well over 18,000 so far, it will beat last year’s numbers of 17,870.

Historically speaking, after starting with a bang, in 1996, recording an average attendance of 17,400, MLS experienced a drop in the number of people coming to the stadiums.  The bottom was hit in 2000, with only an average of 13,756. Although they bounced back, their average attendance only reached the level of that first year in 2011. These numbers are the more encouraging as we have more teams now, and more games played. And we haven’t even started the playoffs yet.

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Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012 – the Winner, Adidas

Posted on July 3, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

The full bracket for the EURO 2012 is here: the winner is Adidas, again, as it becomes a good habit (or great planing from their part).

 

The Jersey Kit Brand Winner @ EURO 2012

The Jersey Kit Brand Winner @ EURO 2012

 

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

 

 

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Gems in MLS

Posted on July 2, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

With the EURO 2012 over, many of the soccer fans in the US will switch their attention to the MLS, although many of them discount the competition. I believe that it is a big mistake, as there is a lot more quality here than you might think. Take this game for example:

San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 LA Galaxy, with the San Jose team coming back from two goals down to win.

 

 

Compare this game to what we saw at the EURO 2012. Don’t you think this was more entertaining than most of those games in Europe? Give a chance to MLS and watch their games too!

 

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EURO 2012, Final, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on July 2, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Spain 4-0 Italy. The unlucky Italy

 

Italy could not upset the odds again, especially when running out of luck. Having two injuries in the same game and having to play in 10 after exhausting your substitutions, against Spain, and here you have the recipe of a clear loss. They didn’t stand a chance.

 

Spain won its third straight major title and indeed made history. No one has done it previously. Germany and France came close before but failed in the end. With this win they earned a place between the greatest national teams. They also joined Germany, with three wins, as the most successful teams at EURO tournaments.

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Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012 – the Final Chapter

Posted on June 30, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

The Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands has reached its final chapter: the Big Final. Although it was close to being an All-Adidas affair, as most people predicted Germany, and not Italy, was to reach the final,  it will still be an All German affair: Puma vs. Adidas.

 

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012

Battle of the Jersey Kit Brands @ EURO 2012

 

Adidas has somewhat an upper hand, as they provide the ball and dress the referees too. However, it could be very well the year of the feline!

 

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

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EURO 2012, Second semifinal, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 29, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Germany 1-2 Italy

 

Germany was not the Germany we saw the previous games. Was it because of Germany itself, having one of their worst days, or, was it Italy, having one of their best days? It’s hard to say…this is always a dilemma. However, for all the warnings they got, especially from the likes of Portugal and Denmark, Germany didn’t learn anything and didn’t take enough measures.

 

I feel it was more of a psychological roadblock for Germany. Italy had the upper hand, historically, and dominated Germany, even before the start of the game. We are only human…

 

The German players walked on the field with their “soft legs”, and – you could see the difference – they were slower than the Italians, and nothing worked their way. Winning and wasting 14 corners, to none of Italians, it’s so not-Germany.

 

Italy was such a surprise! – even for their own fans. A well-organized side, improved with each game, Italy looks more and more like a Champion.  Spain must be worried.

 

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