Sporting KC Mellinger: Sporting looks like KC’s most successful franchise

Deberg_1990 · 10-25-2012, 06:59 AM

Hard to argue.

Do we need to start having a Sporting KC thread prefix icon?

This isn’t about the soccer. Some of you can’t make that leap. Some of you never will. Some of you don’t want to, don’t care, and of course that’s your choice.
Your choice to miss out.

Because even if you’re stuck in the 1980s and refuse to think of soccer as anything more than orange slices and Capri Suns, you must at least wish your team could model the thorough, smart, and fan-first success of Sporting KC — MLS Eastern Conference champions after a 2-1 season-ending win over Philadelphia in front of another sellout crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park.

The Royals have the sorriest last two decades in the American League and the Chiefs have a case as the NFL’s worst team, so why not invest a bit in a winner?

Sporting KC is a serious threat to win the MLS Cup in its second consecutive playoff appearance, something the Chiefs haven’t done since 1995 (when Bill Self coached at Oral Roberts) and the Royals since 1985 (when Bill Snyder coached at Iowa).

Technically, this is the 17th season of the MLS in Kansas City but in reality it is the second season anyone outside a devoted but small demographic of hardcore soccer fans has paid much attention.

And what we’ve seen is remarkable.

Think about this: Sporting KC is not only on its way to joining the mainstream local sports scene … the franchise is changing it.

You would need a wild imagination and perhaps an opiate to believe Sporting will overtake the Chiefs or Royals in local importance, but that’s neither the goal nor the point. Why can’t Sporting turn Kansas City from a two-sport town to a three?

So maybe we didn’t need AEG’s non-promises after all. Maybe we just needed the rich guys at Cerner to buy an afterthought team and turn it into something much more.

You might’ve dismissed the first season of the franchise rebranding and the gorgeous new stadium as novelty, but what now? Every game but one was a sellout this year, and the team’s revenue is actually up across the board. The average (non-premium) season ticket holder is 27 years old. Disposable income is now being spent on professional soccer in a way Kansas City has perhaps never seen, certainly not since the Comets fad of the 1980s.
Sporting is not plotting world domination here, just a bigger chunk of the local sports market and two seasons in the plan is going off almost flawlessly. They are winning, and the management group is putting on a virtual clinic on how to connect with a community and make fans feel part of the process.

The $200 million stadium comes alive in large part thanks to the maniacs in the Cauldron — who have regular interaction with the ownership group, by the way — and the result is the league’s fourth-youngest roster playing with one of the strongest homefield advantages and a fan experience that’s increasing season ticket demand.

The only hiccup surrounds the name on the stadium, an ancillary fallout from Lance Armstrong’s chemically enhanced career finally coming into undeniable focus. But Sporting named its stadium after an organization that provides hope for cancer victims, not the fraudulent cyclist who started it, so backtracking now would be somewhere between counterproductive and cowardly.

Meanwhile, the team for which the stadium exists continues to elbow its way closer to mainstream. Soccer interest and participation continues to rise nationally, with Kansas City an emerging hotbed. Parents reading football concussion stories might give that an extra boost.

Look at this with an open mind, and the franchise that commissioner Don Garber calls the MLS’ greatest success story is perfectly positioned to take advantage of market conditions both in and out of its own control. So this is about much more than just soccer, but if that’s not your thing, then fine.

It’s just that you’ll be missing the best part of Kansas City’s current professional sports scene.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/24.../sporting.html

blaise · 10-25-2012, 07:01 AM

I've come around a lot on soccer, but it's hard for me to care much about MLS play. I get though that seeing the Sporting live is supposed to be a good time.

BlackHelicopters · 10-25-2012, 07:02 AM

Can't figure out whether I care less about soccer or what Mellinger has to say.

KCUnited · 10-25-2012, 07:05 AM

Not my bag but props to Sporting for bringing something positive to KC.

**Saulbadguy** · 10-25-2012, 07:09 AM

I don't know much about soccer but the game last night was very entertaining.

"For the Glory of the City"

|Zach| · 10-25-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I don't know much about soccer but the game last night was very entertaining.

"For the Glory of the City"

htismaqe · 10-25-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

That's ****ing BAD ASS.

|Zach| · 10-25-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's ****ing BAD ASS.

That was from the US Open Cup Final they won this year. Seperate tournament...64 teams from all levels of the US Soceer pyramid...single elimination like the NCAA's.

It was a big win for a few reasons. Their first cup since 2004 a wild dramatic game the likes of which I may never see again and they beat Seattle who are notorious arrogant assholes. They are like the Yankees without the actual championships. It was also cool beating Seattle because up until then they pretty much had our number. They would always find some way to beat us in the very last second it was infuriating.

These videos they did leading up to the game were really ****ing cool. Playing up some of those facts. The 3rd one is the best.

Nickel D · 10-25-2012, 07:26 AM

Dumb ----> "...looks like..."

Gee...ya think??!?!

Molitoth · 10-25-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

This isn’t about the soccer. Some of you can’t make that leap. Some of you never will. Some of you don’t want to, don’t care, and of course that’s your choice.
Your choice to miss out.

It's really nice that Sporting is a good local team. I REALLY WANT to like soccer and enjoy riding on this teams wagon, but for some reason low scoring soccer games just bore me to do other things. I DO however root for them to win and check the scores after the games. I went to the Wizards vs ManU game at Arrowhead a couple years ago and that was semi-fun. I Imagine going to a game at Livestrong would be a ton more fun and I'm willing to go as soon as I find someone to offer me tix.

Hopefully I can start to watch the games and enjoy them, but so far I just haven't been able to do it.

blaise · 10-25-2012, 07:39 AM

One thing I do like about MLS is that it doesn't seem like they do the fake injury thing anywhere near as much as some of the international games. The World Cup gets unwatchable sometimes because it's so ridiculous.

|Zach| · 10-25-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

One thing I do like about MLS is that it doesn't seem like they do the fake injury thing anywhere near as much as some of the international games. The World Cup gets unwatchable sometimes because it's so ridiculous.

The MLS has done a good job of fostering a style of play that is in line with what Americans find important and what they value in gamesmanship.

**loochy** · 10-25-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

One thing I do like about MLS is that it doesn't seem like they do the fake injury thing anywhere near as much as some of the international games. The World Cup gets unwatchable sometimes because it's so ridiculous.

The diving really is a cultural thing, not a sport thing.

blaise · 10-25-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

The diving really is a cultural thing, not a sport thing.

Well it becomes prevalent enough in some of the games, particularly the World Cup games, that you can associate it with the game as a whole for that tournament.
The problem, for me (and I'm admittedly not a hard core soccer fan), is that the quality of play in the World Cup matches seems much better than the MLS games I've seen. So, even with the flopping, those games are still more appealing than any MLS match I've seen.
I live like 7 minutes from the FC Dallas stadium but I don't have much urge to see them. I'm not anti-MLS; I don't have any dislike for it. It just doesn't move the needle for me. Once in a while I try and watch one of their matches, but I lose interest pretty quickly.
I can sympathize with soccer fans, though. I love the NHL and plenty of people hate that and think it sucks.

Deberg_1990 · 10-25-2012, 07:43 AM

These guys are like a breathe of fresh air compared to Royals and Chiefs ownership and their decades of "Comittiment to Excrement"

10-25-2012, 06:59 AM	Topic Starter
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $174454	Mellinger: Sporting looks like KC’s most successful franchise Hard to argue. Do we need to start having a Sporting KC thread prefix icon? This isn’t about the soccer. Some of you can’t make that leap. Some of you never will. Some of you don’t want to, don’t care, and of course that’s your choice. Your choice to miss out. Because even if you’re stuck in the 1980s and refuse to think of soccer as anything more than orange slices and Capri Suns, you must at least wish your team could model the thorough, smart, and fan-first success of Sporting KC — MLS Eastern Conference champions after a 2-1 season-ending win over Philadelphia in front of another sellout crowd at Livestrong Sporting Park. The Royals have the sorriest last two decades in the American League and the Chiefs have a case as the NFL’s worst team, so why not invest a bit in a winner? Sporting KC is a serious threat to win the MLS Cup in its second consecutive playoff appearance, something the Chiefs haven’t done since 1995 (when Bill Self coached at Oral Roberts) and the Royals since 1985 (when Bill Snyder coached at Iowa). Technically, this is the 17th season of the MLS in Kansas City but in reality it is the second season anyone outside a devoted but small demographic of hardcore soccer fans has paid much attention. And what we’ve seen is remarkable. Think about this: Sporting KC is not only on its way to joining the mainstream local sports scene … the franchise is changing it. You would need a wild imagination and perhaps an opiate to believe Sporting will overtake the Chiefs or Royals in local importance, but that’s neither the goal nor the point. Why can’t Sporting turn Kansas City from a two-sport town to a three? So maybe we didn’t need AEG’s non-promises after all. Maybe we just needed the rich guys at Cerner to buy an afterthought team and turn it into something much more. You might’ve dismissed the first season of the franchise rebranding and the gorgeous new stadium as novelty, but what now? Every game but one was a sellout this year, and the team’s revenue is actually up across the board. The average (non-premium) season ticket holder is 27 years old. Disposable income is now being spent on professional soccer in a way Kansas City has perhaps never seen, certainly not since the Comets fad of the 1980s. Sporting is not plotting world domination here, just a bigger chunk of the local sports market and two seasons in the plan is going off almost flawlessly. They are winning, and the management group is putting on a virtual clinic on how to connect with a community and make fans feel part of the process. The $200 million stadium comes alive in large part thanks to the maniacs in the Cauldron — who have regular interaction with the ownership group, by the way — and the result is the league’s fourth-youngest roster playing with one of the strongest homefield advantages and a fan experience that’s increasing season ticket demand. The only hiccup surrounds the name on the stadium, an ancillary fallout from Lance Armstrong’s chemically enhanced career finally coming into undeniable focus. But Sporting named its stadium after an organization that provides hope for cancer victims, not the fraudulent cyclist who started it, so backtracking now would be somewhere between counterproductive and cowardly. Meanwhile, the team for which the stadium exists continues to elbow its way closer to mainstream. Soccer interest and participation continues to rise nationally, with Kansas City an emerging hotbed. Parents reading football concussion stories might give that an extra boost. Look at this with an open mind, and the franchise that commissioner Don Garber calls the MLS’ greatest success story is perfectly positioned to take advantage of market conditions both in and out of its own control. So this is about much more than just soccer, but if that’s not your thing, then fine. It’s just that you’ll be missing the best part of Kansas City’s current professional sports scene. http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/24.../sporting.html
Posts: 68,597

10-25-2012, 07:01 AM	#2
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	I've come around a lot on soccer, but it's hard for me to care much about MLS play. I get though that seeing the Sporting live is supposed to be a good time.
Posts: 22,189

10-25-2012, 07:02 AM	#3
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $-839412	Can't figure out whether I care less about soccer or what Mellinger has to say. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 33,326

10-25-2012, 07:05 AM	#4
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $-1551756	Not my bag but props to Sporting for bringing something positive to KC.
Posts: 36,957

10-25-2012, 07:09 AM	#5
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $736966	I don't know much about soccer but the game last night was very entertaining. "For the Glory of the City" __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
Posts: 47,020

10-25-2012, 07:26 AM	#9
Nickel D Veteran Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $11006781	Dumb ----> "...looks like..." Gee...ya think??!?!
Posts: 1,321

10-25-2012, 07:39 AM	#11
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	One thing I do like about MLS is that it doesn't seem like they do the fake injury thing anywhere near as much as some of the international games. The World Cup gets unwatchable sometimes because it's so ridiculous.
Posts: 22,189

10-25-2012, 07:43 AM	#15
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $174454	These guys are like a breathe of fresh air compared to Royals and Chiefs ownership and their decades of "Comittiment to Excrement" __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,597