Pirlo was a shell of his former self and not the draw of his first year - it was depressing to see his play that last year so not sure he’d have been the same draw. Lampard drew big - just an anecdote, but I saw plenty more British ex-pats/tourists (ok, I heard them) there to see Lampard than I do now. There were always Chelsea and England jerseys. Now???
I agree with you about Lampard's draw factor, and Pirlo's utility as a player, but not sure I agree about Pirlo not being a draw near the end. I don't think the people who come to see someone like Pirlo care that much if his play has diminished. They just want to see him. I suppose word spread he was a regular DNP and that had an effect, but I know I saw a lot non-NYCFC Pirlo jerseys at the Citi Field game because it was his last game. And I heard a number of chants and calls for him to play, which annoyed me because we really needed -- and got -- a result in that game (not that it helped come the playoffs).
Fair points. Pirlo’s last game has to be taken as an outlier - not simply for attendance numbers but it’s career significance - because as far as anybody knew it was possibly the absolute last game for him outside of tribute matches for him or ones he partakes in.
Trade both Mitri for Zlatan and Medina for either Cavanni or a Pastrami Sandwich, and YS would be near 25-30k every game. No question about the draw - everybody loves the audacity and scoring of Zlatan and even more people like a good kosher meat. Cavanni would help attendance too.
I’d make some moves to fit him in the lineup. There’s been talks on here about Maxi leaving. Couldn’t think of a better person to fill those shoes.
Weather isn't everything. NYC is a draw. Fix the stadium and players will want to come here as much as LA or Miami which both have their own issues.
I also remember seeing a lot of Juve and Italy kits at Yankee Stadium in the time he was with us. Both him and Lampard brought a lot of English and Italian tourists and people who have English and Italian roots. Definitely haven't seen any previous club kits a la Villa, Lampard, or Pirlo-esque as our DPs are now relatively unknown European players or an incredibly young Paraguayan. Not seeing the big name effect at all, and I think a big name could bump us anywhere from 2-4k per game.
You know what Miami doesn’t have that NYC has and it’s a massive tiebreaker.....
I don't understand the "we're cheap" or "we're not willing to spend money" claim.
That will affect some. But LA has all those taxes and it's still a draw. As I said, each destination has pluses and minuses. I maintain, give us a SSS and we are competitive with both of those.
I’m speculating. I don’t think we’re going to pay what we paid those three anytime in the near future.
