Major League Soccer feasibility in Cgy?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by troutman

What I do like from England are the stadium names:

Old Trafford. St. James' Park. Anfield. Stamford Bridge. White Hart Lane.The Hawthorns.

Much better than the Tostitos Municipal War Memorial Coliseum.

I like the old names as well, but just as they are in North America they're becoming a thing of the past. I do appreciate that English fans seem to be willing to put up much more of a fight to keep their stadium names. When they changed St. James a guy just went over and spray painted the name back on.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Muta

Agreed about the soccer fans, but I bet you could increase the popularity of soccer in this city easily if it was taken more seriously somehow. There's a CRAPLOAD of soccer players in this city, and there's enough of an international presence here now that something can work (have you seen 17th even during Champions League finals, let alone World Cup?)

Once a dedicated, INDOOR multi-purpose stadium is in place... I bet you the fans come running. MLS is a higher professional league than CFL, and the city has enough people and money to support another franchise. If ticket prices are manageable alongside the Stamps, it's even better for this sports-mad city. Plus, how many soccer fans are in this city, ones that don't prefer hockey? We haven't had a clue to that number for ages, but I bet it's greater than we think.

The key, here, is the indoor stadium. SUCH A need for one, it's ridiculous.

I think it would have to be a retractable roof or outdoor, a fully indoor stadium would be brutal in the summer. 'Oh, what a nice day let's go to the soccer game inside a stuffy dome'. I remember going to a Mariner's game in the Kingdome years ago on a beautiful afternoon and thinking that it was maybe the last place I wanted to be, and I was 12 and pumped about going to an MLB game.

[shermanator]

You want to name the team after an existing Calgary team? Calgary Caledonia FC (aka Calgary Callies). Been around since 1904 in the AMSL. Hell, the first team could partner with the existing team and use them as reserves.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by shermanator

You want to name the team after an existing Calgary team? Calgary Caledonia FC (aka Calgary Callies). Been around since 1904 in the AMSL. Hell, the first team could partner with the existing team and use them as reserves.

Again, I'm advocating independence from stealing or borrowing on other history. Start clean and make your own. It'll suck in the beginning but if the team lasts 100+ years like most of those European teams then it'll have been worth it to start on your own two feet.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

I like the old names as well, but just as they are in North America they're becoming a thing of the past. I do appreciate that English fans seem to be willing to put up much more of a fight to keep their stadium names. When they changed St. James a guy just went over and spray painted the name back on.

I think you could make a game out of it: English Football Stadium, or Beltline Apartment Building?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

As for the feasibility of an MLS team in Calgary...I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell. There just aren't enough "soccer fans" in Calgary to support a team, especially to make it through the first few years as an expansion team where we'd likely win very few games. Even Edmonton, as much as I hate to say it, has always had more soccer fans.

I think we have similar numbers but different types of fans. Calgary has more of a prawn sandwich crowd that would flock to the club seats when the team is top of the table but Edmonton has more fans who prefer the terraces and you'll find them there winning or losing. The Flames have proven that Calgary can support a losing team but I don't think footy is enshrined in the culture as much as hockey.

Originally Posted by valo403

I like the old names as well, but just as they are in North America they're becoming a thing of the past. I do appreciate that English fans seem to be willing to put up much more of a fight to keep their stadium names. When they changed St. James a guy just went over and spray painted the name back on.

Unfortunately, I can see the location-based names starting to fade away as new grounds are built. It is financial suicide to not sell the naming rights on new builds.

Originally Posted by valo403

I think it would have to be a retractable roof or outdoor, a fully indoor stadium would be brutal in the summer. 'Oh, what a nice day let's go to the soccer game inside a stuffy dome'. I remember going to a Mariner's game in the Kingdome years ago on a beautiful afternoon and thinking that it was maybe the last place I wanted to be, and I was 12 and pumped about going to an MLB game.

I agree. If the ground was to have a roof, it would be very expensive to do it correctly. I haven't really found an indoor stadium with a retractable roof and moveable pitch that I can get on board with.

Originally Posted by Locke

Again, I'm advocating independence from stealing or borrowing on other history. Start clean and make your own. It'll suck in the beginning but if the team lasts 100+ years like most of those European teams then it'll have been worth it to start on your own two feet.

I like the history behind the Callies and believe there is a way to turn the team into a legitimate professional club. The club would have to start at the bottom of the ladder (i.e. the PDL) and climb the rungs to the professional ranks. It would be nice to see but I'm not sure if there are many investors that would be interested in this long route; Calgary would need a Saputo like family/person.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by valo403

I like the old names as well, but just as they are in North America they're becoming a thing of the past. I do appreciate that English fans seem to be willing to put up much more of a fight to keep their stadium names. When they changed St. James a guy just went over and spray painted the name back on.

I love that. Its something that happens in soccer that I dont think happens in any other major sport. The fans have power, they're organized, they wield it and the teams and organizations comply (for the most part).

Liverpool entertained changing the name of Anfield to get a ground sponsor. That idea didnt last the day. The fans just said 'nope.'

Even St. James' Park is back.

I find that here in North America we just slurp our gruel that they give us and let them lead us around by the nose.

Hell, look at TFC having to lower their ticket prices because the fans revolted because the team sucked. Could you imagine the Edmonton Oilers or some really crappy NFL team (Bears? Browns? I honestly dont know) lowering their prices or complying with the fans? No way, never happens.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by shermanator

You want to name the team after an existing Calgary team? Calgary Caledonia FC (aka Calgary Callies). Been around since 1904 in the AMSL. Hell, the first team could partner with the existing team and use them as reserves.

Ugh...no thank you. I'd rather not see how inflated Dave Randall's head would get if that were to happen.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Ugh...no thank you. I'd rather not see how inflated Dave Randall's head would get if that were to happen.

Haha. This is exactly what I mean, if you take from something that already exists you may garner some its inherent support but you'll also inherit whatever animosity exists.

[Fluffy Bunnies]

Great to see all the responses! I only suggested Calgary United because its sounded pretty good. I had no idea it was steeped in tradition of clubs actually uniting. As for Real Salt Lake, that is a very poor attempt at a name. Even I saw through that one immediately.

My vote is for AFC Calgary. Its not as generic as Calgary FC is in soccer circles, nor is it a lame take on our western heritage with a stupid nickname. Organic nicknames are tricky. Man U are the "Red Devils", Chelsea "The Pensioners", etc... Where I think that has failed is in a case like Toronto FC. They named them FC in an attempt at the fans creating an organic nickname. Then what they came up with was "The Reds". They wear red. How original.

Im all for MLS teams throwing a little bit of Europe in with the names, but they also have to remember where they come from. In North America we call the game soccer. That should be reflected in the names a bit, much like Real Madrid is Spanish royalty, Man U are the result of uniting athletic clubs, etc..

Those are my two cents anyway. Im a Chelsea fan first and an MLS fan second.

[Bertuzzied]

I'd have to say no to a soccer team in Calgary. Unless they become the first team in soccer history not to dive.

[Coys1882]

I would be a season ticket holder day 1 also - I used to go watch the Storm play and just chilling on the sidelines watching the game in the sun was awesome.

That being said - If the government was kicking in dollars I'd prefer we see proper amateur facilities in this city before professional. More turf fields and better indoor ones. I love going to Edmonton for provincials - the lounge is elevated in the middle of the building so you can watch the other games while you have a pint. Brilliant idea.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by getbak

Imagine if we named an MLS team that and the plane crashed....

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Locke

Haha. This is exactly what I mean, if you take from something that already exists you may garner some its inherent support but you'll also inherit whatever animosity exists.

Didn't even consider that there was animosity!

Anyways, I think Calgary as a soccer community needs to start small. Get a team either in the PDL, start them at Foothills Athletic Park, and build some support slowly. The Storm had great support back in 2001 (2nd in the PDL with over 2000 average), but they screwed everything up and jumped to the A League way too quickly. Foothills is not an ideal stadium, but it's the best current option in the city, and there's no football lines.

I think that's the recipe we have to follow.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Locke

I love that. Its something that happens in soccer that I dont think happens in any other major sport. The fans have power, they're organized, they wield it and the teams and organizations comply (for the most part).

They do and they don't. They have power like you say, but continue to be complicit to a system where only 4 or 5 teams can contend for a championship, and they think this is quite alright. Why don't they organize for competitive balance?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

I find that here in North America we just slurp our gruel that they give us and let them lead us around by the nose.

I really admire that and find it quite funny how Americans love the think they are the leaders of capitalism yet their sports teams operate as cartels/monopolies and they fail to punish their teams financially. If Arsenal don't stop their slide soon, I'm going to stop drinking Carlsberg.

I really, really hope they pull up their socks up.

Originally Posted by shermanator

Anyways, I think Calgary as a soccer community needs to start small. Get a team either in the PDL, start them at Foothills Athletic Park, and build some support slowly. The Storm had great support back in 2001 (2nd in the PDL with over 2000 average), but they screwed everything up and jumped to the A League way too quickly. Foothills is not an ideal stadium, but it's the best current option in the city, and there's no football lines.

I think that's the recipe we have to follow.

I agree 100%.

I'd love to see the City and Province fund the building a small modular stadium with a permanent grand stand and temporary terraces/seating. Once the PDL team moved up the ladder, the extra modular terraces/seats could be removed and the stadium used exclusively by local youth and senior teams.

[shermanator]

On the Voyageurs forum there is a poster that mentioned Tommy Wheeldon Jr. (Technical Director at Calgary Foothills Soccer) is looking at bringing a PDL side to Calgary with the potential for a USL Pro / NASL side later.

Not sure if there's any legs to the statement, but maybe there's something to be excited about?

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by shermanator

On the Voyageurs forum there is a poster that mentioned Tommy Wheeldon Jr. (Technical Director at Calgary Foothills Soccer) is looking at bringing a PDL side to Calgary with the potential for a USL Pro / NASL side later.

Not sure if there's any legs to the statement, but maybe there's something to be excited about?

He used to play for the Storm/Mustangs A-League team. If I recall correctly his dad was the manager.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Ugh...no thank you. I'd rather not see how inflated Dave Randall's head would get if that were to happen.

He did move on from Callies to coach Edmonton.

Originally Posted by Locke

Haha. This is exactly what I mean, if you take from something that already exists you may garner some its inherent support but you'll also inherit whatever animosity exists.

What animosity? He coached the most successful Calgary football teams.

Neirdorf?

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

He did move on from Callies to coach Edmonton.



What animosity? He coached the most successful Calgary football teams.

Neirdorf?

He got fired from FC Edmonton, he's back with Callies now. There are a lot of players that don't enjoy playing for him...this coming from someone who has played for him. He runs great practices but tends to get under a lot of people's skin.