MLS Week 21 - 2018

[QuigrNYCFC]

Does anyone know why ATL has such great attendance numbers? Are the tickets really cheap? Is it the new stadium? Good marketing?

 

[Ulrich]

Fair point but you're mixing in a factor more or less unrelated to Midas's question. They're intertwined but different. You're right that moving to a new city no longer presents insurmountable difficulties in keeping up with an old team, but Midas is questioning how much he would want to stay interested in NYCFC. They both affect the same decision, but they are independent -- neither directly nor inversely related. I'd suggest there is a third factor, which is the culture of the new city -- both the specific team supporters' culture and general level of social pressure and cohesion to adopt the local team(s). This factor is especially weak in NYC, both because part of the culture is to let everyone in and not force adaptation, but also because team loyalties are divided so neither Mets nor Yankees, Giants or Jets, etc, can create enough pressure to make people feel they need to adopt either. In other cities, even some moderately large ones, those factors are considerably stronger. I'm not suggesting people can't withstand them, but sometimes you decide to go along to get along.

MLS will have “made it” when bars in random American cities are designated “team” bars where city ex-pats gather to watch. When NYCFC has their spot at O’Henry’s Tavern in Charlotte, then we’re talking.

 

[Ulrich]

Does anyone know why ATL has such great attendance numbers? Are the tickets really cheap? Is it the new stadium? Good marketing?

It’s the concessions (not kidding).

A family of four can go and have food for about $30 total, so that helps justify the ticket price for an outing. Food price is even less if you’re a single/pair.

 

[mgarbowski]

It was the name you used in your hypothetical. So I stuck with it.

I forgot about my Invasion-of-the-Body-Snatchers-inspired example. I should have picked a name other than Bob. Forum software won't let you search for Bob or any 3-letter word. Bugs me to no end.
ETA: I realized I might try a search for invasion and found it.

 

[LeeNYCFC]

Does anyone know why ATL has such great attendance numbers? Are the tickets really cheap? Is it the new stadium? Good marketing?

The stadium's pretty centrally located and opened in conjunction with the Braves moving out to Timbuktu. I'd assume they've gotten some benefit from that.

 

[mgarbowski]

Does anyone know why ATL has such great attendance numbers? Are the tickets really cheap? Is it the new stadium? Good marketing?

I think success in this case has a thousand fathers. Others have mentioned some of the factors. New stadium. New team. Growing city with strong civic pride, and low level of ironic detachment from same, even from hipsters and such. Well run. Local owner who is well regarded. Successful cross-marketing with Falcons. Only 3 other major league teams. General lack of championships from same. Immediate success.

 

[sbrylski]

I've thought about this, because I'm hoping to retire in 5-8 years and we will likely move soon after, especially if our daughters end up settling elsewhere. The answer is I don't know, which is kind of my answer. If there were sufficient loyalty and affection built up the answer would be obvious.
One issue you glide over is which teams are sufficiently well run to meet your criteria of a competently or better run MLS club. My list, which includes teams I dislike, one team that wouldn't actually involve a move and cities I'm unlikely ever to settle in, includes only:
Atlanta, Dallas, Red Bulls, LAFC, SKC, Portland, and Toronto (listed in current table order). That's not a big list. Columbus, RSL and Seattle are on the bubble and could probably get my interest. Minnesota could potentially join if they start building better teams after the stadium opens, as they promised.

There really aren't many options.

I moved to Denver for 6 months last year, thought I might pick up the Rapids. Lol, I think I watched 5 minutes of one game and changed the channel. I feel bad for fans of 1.0 teams.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

Oh lawdy Minnesota defense is bad

 

[JayH]

Quintero is bonkers good.

 

[LionNYC]

Quintero is bonkers good.

Oh captain, my MLS Week 21 captain!

 

[mgarbowski]

LAFC getting destroyed.

 

[adam]

LAFC getting destroyed.

They need a couple more internationals on their roster.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

Loons only 2 points out of a playoff spot.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Quintero is bonkers good.

Yeah, it’s when you see him play that you understand Kjbert bitching about Maxi all the time.

If Vela is the best in MLS, Quintero has to be second based on how he has performed since coming in.

I’m astounded. I knew he was good, but I thought he always half-assed. There’s no half-assing to be seen from him for now. He looks like Almiron if Almiron had a touch and a shot and vision.

Honestly, we should spend all our money to get him as Villa replacement. He’s incredible.

Quintero:MLS>Messi:LaLiga

 

[Shwafta]

Yeah, it’s when you see him play that you understand Kjbert bitching about Maxi all the time.

If Vela is the best in MLS, Quintero has to be second based on how he has performed since coming in.

I’m astounded. I knew he was good, but I thought he always half-assed. There’s no half-assing to be seen from him for now. He looks like Almiron if Almiron had a touch and a shot and vision.

Honestly, we should spend all our money to get him as Villa replacement. He’s incredible.

Quintero:MLS>Messi:LaLiga

If I had to choose between Quintero and Martinez, I'd choose Quintero because he seems so much more genuine and happy and passionate than Martinez. If Minnesota get into the playoffs and make a run, that might even put Quintero into the MVP race.