City in the Burroughs - BK Edition

[Jon]

The usual PV, Jon and one player, Okoli. Moderated by Joe Tolleson who also as usual, opened with "let's avoid the stadium questions, Jon is working hard on it and if anyone knows of a 15 acre spot of land with mass transit access please see him after". Some of the highlights:

Sean was asked where "Ugo" came from by someone who I guess didn't realize it was just his middle name. He referenced his Nigerian background and said "Ugo" is actually short for a longer middle name that he only hears when he's in trouble, by his mom... and coach.

When asked what the biggest difference between Cincinnati and New York was: "traffic".

He's for pro/rel, and enjoys being on a competitive team where it's hard to crack the 18 every week.

When asked about declining attendance, Jon referenced the challenge of low media coverage and how the FO is still trying to address that. He said right now one of their biggest pushes is raising awareness about ticket trade-in, transfers or resale, basically making sure tickets not being used by STHs somehow end up being used. Also a big push for group sales.

Favorite/least favorite stadiums:
Jon: Portland, Kansas City/NJ
PV: Portland, Seattle/NJ
Ugo: Portland/New England

PV got most of the questions.
Regarding the transfer window, he pretty much said they need to bring in players who fit the system and that's why no moves were made.

Mentioned several times he doesn't like "sending a negative message" to the players during matches via strategy changes or substitutions. Specifically, during Chicago after Herrera was sent off, rather than change things right away, he kept the midfield as it was stating he knew the guys had the energy to keep going, rather than send the message they couldn't handle the pressure without Herrera. Also a mention of making three attacking substitutions vs LA, referencing prior matches where defensive subs with a lead "didn't work" and adding "you guys like these subs better".

On the topic of rule changes, he said a year ago he would've asked to remove the salary cap, but didn't really answer what he would change today, and added he thinks giving refs all available information via VAR was a good idea.

Someone asked which players he thought would make good coaches someday. He said Villa and Pirlo, although he doesn't think they will coach after they're done playing.

Ended the night with a few raffles, and that was it.

I know he's being sarcastic but the comments from Patricof are dickish. I'm sorry but people are paying good money for season tickets. To joke around and tell people that if they know of available land to see him after the event is not even the slightest bit funny. It's just being an out of touch asshole.

 

[engine46]

I know he's being sarcastic but the comments from Patricof are dickish. I'm sorry but people are paying good money for season tickets. To joke around and tell people that if they know of available land to see him after the event is not even the slightest bit funny. It's just being an out of touch asshole.

To clarify, it was Tolleson who said that.

 

[Ulrich]

Seems PV's reference to subs just might confirm club readership of the Forums.

What's more interesting is that the club seems to have acknowledged the effectiveness of offensive subs vs defensive over the last few matches and the results have improved. Not that we have a lot of options, but it will be interesting to watch future subs/situations when we have our full roster/bench available.

It also kills me that a bunch of armchair fans figured it out before the paid coaches.

 

[Jon]

To clarify, it was Tolleson who said that.

He's moderating the event. I would assume whatever he says is approved by the team. Patricof could step in and say that he understands the growing frustration and appreciates the money spent by cityzens supporting the team. Does he realize that people are really disappointed?

 

[engine46]

He's moderating the event. I would assume whatever he says is approved by the team. Patricof could step in and say that he understands the growing frustration and appreciates the money spent by cityzens supporting the team. Does he realize that people are really disappointed?

Oh I don't disagree with you, I was just clarifying who said what. But this was the third time I've been to one of these, and he's started each with the same line, so yeah, I'd say it's "approved".

 

[LionNYC]

The usual PV, Jon and one player, Okoli. Moderated by Joe Tolleson who also as usual, opened with "let's avoid the stadium questions, Jon is working hard on it and if anyone knows of a 15 acre spot of land with mass transit access please see him after". Some of the highlights:

Sean was asked where "Ugo" came from by someone who I guess didn't realize it was just his middle name. He referenced his Nigerian background and said "Ugo" is actually short for a longer middle name that he only hears when he's in trouble, by his mom... and coach.

When asked what the biggest difference between Cincinnati and New York was: "traffic".

He's for pro/rel, and enjoys being on a competitive team where it's hard to crack the 18 every week.

When asked about declining attendance, Jon referenced the challenge of low media coverage and how the FO is still trying to address that. He said right now one of their biggest pushes is raising awareness about ticket trade-in, transfers or resale, basically making sure tickets not being used by STHs somehow end up being used. Also a big push for group sales.

Favorite/least favorite stadiums:
Jon: Portland, Kansas City/NJ
PV: Portland, Seattle/NJ
Ugo: Portland/New England

PV got most of the questions.
Regarding the transfer window, he pretty much said they need to bring in players who fit the system and that's why no moves were made.

Mentioned several times he doesn't like "sending a negative message" to the players during matches via strategy changes or substitutions. Specifically, during Chicago after Herrera was sent off, rather than change things right away, he kept the midfield as it was stating he knew the guys had the energy to keep going, rather than send the message they couldn't handle the pressure without Herrera. Also a mention of making three attacking substitutions vs LA, referencing prior matches where defensive subs with a lead "didn't work" and adding "you guys like these subs better".

On the topic of rule changes, he said a year ago he would've asked to remove the salary cap, but didn't really answer what he would change today, and added he thinks giving refs all available information via VAR was a good idea.

Someone asked which players he thought would make good coaches someday. He said Villa and Pirlo, although he doesn't think they will coach after they're done playing.

Ended the night with a few raffles, and that was it.

So originally it was 10-12 acres of land. Now it's 15. Oh boy.

I like Ugo's answer for least favorite stadium. New England is a shitshow when it comes to soccer.

 

[Falastur]

I know he's being sarcastic but the comments from Patricof are dickish. I'm sorry but people are paying good money for season tickets. To joke around and tell people that if they know of available land to see him after the event is not even the slightest bit funny. It's just being an out of touch asshole.

I guess it depends on your personal style. Granted I'm not in NYC paying for season tickets and so on every year, but even if I was I reckon I still would've found that funny. Not riotously, but funny all the same. That said, I am all for wry humour so it's the exact kind of comment I would've made in his position.

 

[Jon]

I guess it depends on your personal style. Granted I'm not in NYC paying for season tickets and so on every year, but even if I was I reckon I still would've found that funny. Not riotously, but funny all the same. That said, I am all for wry humour so it's the exact kind of comment I would've made in his position.

In hindsight maybe I rushed to judgement and lost my temper. Many of us have been guilty of it from time to time on here. We just have a passionate group of fans holding on for any morsel of info on a stadium. When someone jokes about asking the audience for help finding a location it makes me feel like we're going nowhere slowly.

 

[Futbolkicks]

It is unacceptable that the President of NYCFC goes to a meeting with fans and has nothing to say about a stadium and the MC makes a stupid statement about if you know of 15 acres near a subway let us know. I am a season ticket holder and this is insulting.

 

[mgarbowski]

In hindsight maybe I rushed to judgement and lost my temper. Many of us have been guilty of it from time to time on here. We just have a passionate group of fans holding on for any morsel of info on a stadium. When someone jokes about asking the audience for help finding a location it makes me feel like we're going nowhere slowly.

Rumor has it he wears a hairshirt if that helps.

 

[FredMertz]

I live in BK and am a founding member but never caught wind of this until I saw it on Twitter. I need to figure out wtf is up. This kinda oversight / administrative error really gets my goat because it's often due to a dearth of diligence rather than ability. But maybe diligence is an ability. Shrug.

This is year #3 without an invite because I had the nerve to live 4 miles north of the Bronx border. I'm thinking of telling them that my renewal is contingent on an invite next year...

 

[Ulrich]

This is year #3 without an invite because I had the nerve to live 4 miles north of the Bronx border. I'm thinking of telling them that my renewal is contingent on an invite next year...

Are you even a New Yorker?

 

[roxfontaine]

I really don't understand how people are so bent out of shape about an arena. Have you never watched any other sports in NYC? Have you ever even been to NYC? You're only fooling yourself if you thought or think that an arena was going to happen in the first 10 years. Check this out...

Even if an arena were under construction right now, it doesn't define your experience!

For me, this team is about civic pride and camaraderie. I want this team to represent NYC and play well more than not. If that happens to be in a baseball stadium for 10 years, I don't care. My hope is that the team performs and creates a shift in the dynamics (sport culture and community) of NYC. Maybe that will change the conversations around an arena. It's going to take a lot of negotiation, several lifetimes of money and a major shift in thinking. I can't see losing joy in this incredible moment in time over something so far out of our control.

 

[Jon]

I really don't understand how people are so bent out of shape about an arena. Have you never watched any other sports in NYC? Have you ever even been to NYC? You're only fooling yourself if you thought or think that an arena was going to happen in the first 10 years. Check this out...

Even if an arena were under construction right now, it doesn't define your experience!

For me, this team is about civic pride and camaraderie. I want this team to represent NYC and play well more than not. If that happens to be in a baseball stadium for 10 years, I don't care. My hope is that the team performs and creates a shift in the dynamics (sport culture and community) of NYC. Maybe that will change the conversations around an arena. It's going to take a lot of negotiation, several lifetimes of money and a major shift in thinking. I can't see losing joy in this incredible moment in time over something so far out of our control.

I couldn't agree more, the stadium doesn't define the experience. My thing is, you have season ticket holders that are renewing because A. They want priority in seating when a new stadium comes along, and B. want that plaque or whatever was promised. However, without any info at all you have nothing to judge whether or not it's worth keeping your tickets. The market for tickets is depressed and if you cancel you can just pick them up on resale. So what's the incentive to keep them besides team loyalty? (Which is a legit reason). I'd be more than satisfied if Patricof came out and said, "listen, season ticket holders, there are no avenues currently to get a stadium built so we see our team at Yankee stadium for a minimum of X years."

Then at least all of us know we can bite the bullet and keep them or drop them. But to have this event and right from the beginning say that there's nothing to say about a future stadium is a slap in the face to us. You're basically just stringing people along.

 

[CatNYC]

I really don't understand how people are so bent out of shape about an arena. Have you never watched any other sports in NYC? Have you ever even been to NYC? You're only fooling yourself if you thought or think that an arena was going to happen in the first 10 years. Check this out...

Even if an arena were under construction right now, it doesn't define your experience!

For me, this team is about civic pride and camaraderie. I want this team to represent NYC and play well more than not. If that happens to be in a baseball stadium for 10 years, I don't care. My hope is that the team performs and creates a shift in the dynamics (sport culture and community) of NYC. Maybe that will change the conversations around an arena. It's going to take a lot of negotiation, several lifetimes of money and a major shift in thinking. I can't see losing joy in this incredible moment in time over something so far out of our control.

*stands and applauds*

 

[ManhattanValley]

My thing is, you have season ticket holders that are renewing because A. They want priority in seating when a new stadium comes along, and B. want that plaque or whatever was promised. However, without any info at all you have nothing to judge whether or not it's worth keeping your tickets. The market for tickets is depressed and if you cancel you can just pick them up on resale. So what's the incentive to keep them besides team loyalty? (Which is a legit reason). I'd be more than satisfied if Patricof came out and said, "listen, season ticket holders, there are no avenues currently to get a stadium built so we see our team at Yankee stadium for a minimum of X years."

Then at least all of us know we can bite the bullet and keep them or drop them. But to have this event and right from the beginning say that there's nothing to say about a future stadium is a slap in the face to us. You're basically just stringing people along.

Are there really people only renewing so they can get the plaque/brick/whatever?! My advice to those people:

1. A brick in the new stadium probably isn't worth several thousand dollars
2. You'll probably be able to buy one anyway, with or without a season ticket
3. Speaking as a fan of another team who moved stadiums and offered inaugural bricks to the fans, I can say there's a strong chance the final product will be very underwhelming

 

[Jon]

Are there really people only renewing so they can get the plaque/brick/whatever?! My advice to those people:

1. A brick in the new stadium probably isn't worth several thousand dollars
2. You'll probably be able to buy one anyway, with or without a season ticket
3. Speaking as a fan of another team who moved stadiums and offered inaugural bricks to the fans, I can say there's a strong chance the final product will be very underwhelming

I was just bringing that up as a reason, albeit small. The biggest reason is still priority for seats in a new stadium.

 

[adam]

I really don't understand how people are so bent out of shape about an arena. Have you never watched any other sports in NYC? Have you ever even been to NYC? You're only fooling yourself if you thought or think that an arena was going to happen in the first 10 years. Check this out...

Even if an arena were under construction right now, it doesn't define your experience!

For me, this team is about civic pride and camaraderie. I want this team to represent NYC and play well more than not. If that happens to be in a baseball stadium for 10 years, I don't care. My hope is that the team performs and creates a shift in the dynamics (sport culture and community) of NYC. Maybe that will change the conversations around an arena. It's going to take a lot of negotiation, several lifetimes of money and a major shift in thinking. I can't see losing joy in this incredible moment in time over something so far out of our control.

Actually... if you were in from the very beginning, then you expected a stadium in flushing. Then that rug got pulled from under us and it's really been like what, 6 years since? So 3 years after that happens we get the team anyway and are told we'll be in YS for 2 years and a promise of news during the summer of our first season. And silence ever since. It's a frustrating timeline for those of us there from the start.

 

[FredMertz]

I hate to thread crap, but can we get back to the more important matter at hand -- why in 3 years I've never received an invite to one of these?

And I even complained last year!

 

[adam]

I hate to thread crap, but can we get back to the more important matter at hand -- why in 3 years I've never received an invite to one of these?

And I even complained last year!

Last year I didn't get an invite. I bitched. This year I got two. Bitch better.