Should UA Capitalize on the World Cup

[Zipsrifle]

So, I'm watching the world cup and it's the end of regulation. If the USA wins today, the country will become even more drawn to soccer (I don't consider myself a soccer fan, but I'm watching).

So, we all know we have a great program. My question is:

1) Should UA seize the opportunity after today and start advertising around Cleveland about our soccer program?

a) If yes, then how should they go about it?

If no, then why?

Now...go USA!

[Zipsrifle]

DAMN!

Now I have to apologize to the entire country for cursing our team.

DEAR USA:

I'm Sorry!

[Dave in Green]

I don't watch soccer very often, so I'm far from an expert. But the U.S. team looked listless and passive toward the end while their opponents seemed to have more spark and aggressiveness. I sensed that the U.S. was in trouble.

It would have been great if the U.S. had won. But it wouldn't have had much affect on my appreciation for the sport of soccer. The more points scored the more entertained I am, which explains why the order of my favorite team sports totally corresponds to the average total number of points scored per game:

1) Basketball

2) Football

3) Baseball

4) Hockey

5) Soccer

[lance99]

So, I'm watching the world cup and it's the end of regulation. If the USA wins today, the country will become even more drawn to soccer (I don't consider myself a soccer fan, but I'm watching).

So, we all know we have a great program. My question is:

1) Should UA seize the opportunity after today and start advertising around Cleveland about our soccer program?

a) If yes, then how should they go about it?

If no, then why?

Now...go USA!

There is nothing to be sorry about.

To answer your question...........

To advertising around Cleveland(or NE Ohio for that matter), you have to go through the sports food chain in the area.

1.High School Football

2.Browns

3.Indians

4.Cavs

5.Ohio State Football

Hopefully, the Marketing Dept. has a plan. It can be done!

[Zipmeister]

So, I'm watching the world cup and it's the end of regulation. If the USA wins today, the country will become even more drawn to soccer (I don't consider myself a soccer fan, but I'm watching).

So, we all know we have a great program. My question is:

1) Should UA seize the opportunity after today and start advertising around Cleveland about our soccer program?

a) If yes, then how should they go about it?

If no, then why?

Now...go USA!

Foreign language newspapers and radio stations.

[Z.I.P.]

I don't watch soccer very often, so I'm far from an expert. But the U.S. team looked listless and passive toward the end while their opponents seemed to have more spark and aggressiveness. I sensed that the U.S. was in trouble.

It would have been great if the U.S. had won. But it wouldn't have had much affect on my appreciation for the sport of soccer. The more points scored the more entertained I am, which explains why the order of my favorite team sports totally corresponds to the average total number of points scored per game:

1) Basketball

2) Football

3) Baseball

4) Hockey

5) Soccer

Well, Dave, in football, or if you will, "soccer", you get three points for a win, and one for a draw. My favorite "sports" (and I've always considered football much more than that), are football and hockey (preferably ice). I may be repeating myself, but if basketball wants to improve, they need to change the rules to add the posiition that hockey and football have -- a goalkeeper.

[Z.I.P.]

DAMN!

Now I have to apologize to the entire country for cursing our team.

DEAR USA:

I'm Sorry!

Sorry, but the one I'm waiting to here the apology from is named Bob Bradley!

[Dave in Green]

I don't watch soccer very often, so I'm far from an expert. But the U.S. team looked listless and passive toward the end while their opponents seemed to have more spark and aggressiveness. I sensed that the U.S. was in trouble.

It would have been great if the U.S. had won. But it wouldn't have had much affect on my appreciation for the sport of soccer. The more points scored the more entertained I am, which explains why the order of my favorite team sports totally corresponds to the average total number of points scored per game:

1) Basketball

2) Football

3) Baseball

4) Hockey

5) Soccer

Well, Dave, in football, or if you will, "soccer", you get three points for a win, and one for a draw. My favorite "sports" (and I've always considered football much more than that), are football and hockey (preferably ice). I may be repeating myself, but if basketball wants to improve, they need to change the rules to add the posiition that hockey and football have -- a goalkeeper.

I've always considered football as just another "sport," and second to basketball in terms of entertainment. If you don't think football fits in a category with other "sports," I'm intrigued to learn under what category you think it does fit?

As far a having a goalkeeper in basketball, that would do a great job of driving down final scores and losing my interest. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as I would end up spending less time on sports and earn massive bonus points with my wife.

[Z.I.P.]

I don't watch soccer very often, so I'm far from an expert. But the U.S. team looked listless and passive toward the end while their opponents seemed to have more spark and aggressiveness. I sensed that the U.S. was in trouble.

It would have been great if the U.S. had won. But it wouldn't have had much affect on my appreciation for the sport of soccer. The more points scored the more entertained I am, which explains why the order of my favorite team sports totally corresponds to the average total number of points scored per game:

1) Basketball

2) Football

3) Baseball

4) Hockey

5) Soccer

Well, Dave, in football, or if you will, "soccer", you get three points for a win, and one for a draw. My favorite "sports" (and I've always considered football much more than that), are football and hockey (preferably ice). I may be repeating myself, but if basketball wants to improve, they need to change the rules to add the posiition that hockey and football have -- a goalkeeper.

I've always considered football as just another "sport," and second to basketball in terms of entertainment. If you don't think football fits in a category with other "sports," I'm intrigued to learn under what category you think it does fit?

As far a having a goalkeeper in basketball, that would do a great job of driving down final scores and losing my interest. This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as I would end up spending less time on sports and earn massive bonus points with my wife.

Aloha Dave,

How 'bout Maradona and los Celestinos?! John Harkes made the comment at the end of the game with El Tri, that he wonders if Diego wears a uniform in the locker room. You've heard of ballplayers being called "a coach on the field" (court, etc.)? Well Maradona is like a player on the sideline! Yeah -- he sucks as a coach, but no one can motivate his players like this guy is doing. No other coach is looked up to by his men the way the legendary El Dieguito is.

Here's my response to your points: The problem with basketball is the game presents no inherent difficulties to the offensive side. Anyone can throw up a ball through a hoop -- and the rules don't allow the defense any significant advantage in stopping that from happening. When the offense has such an advantage in scoring -- especially when the talent reaches where it is in top-25 college and NBA games today -- I lose interest. A team that doesn't put defense first is not one I enjoy watching play BB. I almost never watch the NCAA tournament after the round of 16 (I think they call it something else in BB, I forget?), unless there's a Butler or George Mason still around. Imagine, if hockey players just raced from one end of the ice to the other putting the puck in the net as fast as they could, and only the five field players could defend them. Then hockey would devolve into basketball.

And when I said that "football" is much more than a sport, let's be sure we're talking about the same game! I meant the world's game of football -- not America's. Football/soccer is the only sport that truly represents a microcosm of life itself. You might want to pick up a copy of the book, "How Soccer Explains the World". While I disagree with the author's global politics (his presentation of Red Star Belgrade's hooligans becoming the backbone of the Serbian nationalist death squads and militia only serve to deepen the lingering demonization and wounds that brought about Clinton's bombing campaign), the stories do show how football (I'm sure many in Green must call it that by now) raises the public's emotional passion the way only one game can, while allowing the game to serve as proxy to military and economic warfare in determining nations' place in the world pecking order. Surely you must know that a nation that plays great football is truly a great civilization. That's how the world looks at it.

Got any good new restaurants in Green these days? Cuisine and music are other activities beside football that represent global passion and competitiveness. Is that Mexican place, La Carta I think was the name, still over on Canton Rd? They used to have excellent chiles relleno. Mmmm mmmm.

[RootforRoo44]

I don't watch soccer very often, so I'm far from an expert. But the U.S. team looked listless and passive toward the end while their opponents seemed to have more spark and aggressiveness. I sensed that the U.S. was in trouble.

It would have been great if the U.S. had won. But it wouldn't have had much affect on my appreciation for the sport of soccer. The more points scored the more entertained I am, which explains why the order of my favorite team sports totally corresponds to the average total number of points scored per game:

1) Basketball

2) Football

3) Baseball

4) Hockey

5) Soccer

I still dont buy the whole "i like scoring" mindset everyone has. If that was the case Bowling and Cricket would be the most popular sports in the world.

Btw, Cricket is great so maybe you are all right.

[MDZip]

I still dont buy the whole "i like scoring" mindset everyone has. If that was the case Bowling and Cricket would be the most popular sports in the world.

Btw, Cricket is great so maybe you are all right.

And golf must be the worlds worst sport since you try to score as little as possible.

[Dave in Green]

Lots of different thoughts developing in this thread.

First, I'm confining my remarks to spectating at team ball sports.

Second, to me they are all forms of entertainment, and it doesn't much matter to me if others want to consider one or more of them to be reflective of something greater than sports/entertainment.

Third, I do not think of soccer as football. Soccer is soccer and football is football.

Any sport can be changed dramatically by simply changing the rules and how they are enforced. Basketball could be made as boring to me as soccer by eliminating the shot clock and rewarding teams that hold the ball from the opening tipoff to the final seconds, scoring a single basket and winning 2-0.

Soccer could be made more entertaining to me with as simple a rule as greatly increasing the size of the goal to the point that the goalkeeper would be capable of blocking a much smaller percentage of shots. The larger the goal, the more points scored.

For me, basketball has just the right balance of offense and defense. There's constant action both on the court and on the scoreboard. Teams average hitting a little less than half of their shots from the field. Defense can make the difference, but even the best defense doesn't result in zero scoring offense. For me, shutouts are statistical footnotes, not great entertainment.

That's just me. Those who enjoy watching epic defensive struggles with minimum scording will see it differently. No problem. Classic case of different strokes for different folks.

Now, on the more important subject of food, Green is not loaded with restaurants. I'm not familiar with any Mexican restaurants on Canton Road. The Bistro (formerly Bobby's Bistro) is still the best restaurant in the immediate Green area. But there are many good restaurants within 15 miles of Green, and short drives are no problem for me.

[ksu sucks]

That's just me.

Dave, you could have prefaced your entire post with that statement.

Now, on the more important subject of food, Green is not loaded with restaurants. I'm not familiar with any Mexican restaurants on Canton Road. The Bistro (formerly Bobby's Bistro) is still the best restaurant in the immediate Green area. But there are many good restaurants within 15 miles of Green, and short drives are no problem for me.

Give credit where credit is due. Green is quite the cultural mecca. During my time in Akron I've found Mariachi Loco(a local chain Mexican restaurant) to quench my thirst for international flare. And if that isn't enough, there's an Applebee's AND a Friday's right down the road.

Green, the cultural crossroads of Summit County.

[Zip Watcher]

Any sport can be changed dramatically by simply changing the rules and how they are enforced. Basketball could be made as boring to me as soccer by eliminating the shot clock and rewarding teams that hold the ball from the opening tipoff to the final seconds, scoring a single basket and winning 2-0.

Hey Dave,

Since you were around back then, can you tell us what it was like before Biasone & Hobson invented the shot clock? Did you like the game as much then as you do now, or did it grow on you after that change?

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

Go Zips!

[Dave in Green]

Everyone could preface every opinion they state on a sports forum with "That's just me." It's funny that when someone actually does state the obvious that they get called out for putting it in the middle of the post instead of the front.

I actually do recall following NBA games as a kid before the shot clock was introduced in 1955. My interest went way up at that point, and I watched every NBA game I could catch on TV -- all in glorious low-definition black and white, of course.

My dad, who was a semi-pro player and coach back in the '20s and '30s, tried to get me interested in college basketball, as well. After the NBA adopted the shot clock, though, I found college ball must less attractive. It wasn't until the NCAA adopted the shot clock in the '80s that I began to enjoy college basketball as much as the NBA.

In fact, basketball history books generally credit the shot clock for "saving" professional basketball, which was not all that popular a spectator sport at the time. Even Boston Celtics great Bob Cousy, who was the master of dribbling around in circles and running out the clock, admitted that the shot clock was the best thing that ever happened to the NBA. So, in fact, it's not "just me" thinking that scoring offense has great entertainment value.

I'm sure my interest in fast-paced basketball was also influenced by my dad. Although he played and coached in an era when 22-19 final scores were common, he was always an up-tempo guy. He once scored 50 points in a game, which was unheard of in his era. He picked up the nickname "Skeet" because they said watching him shoot baskets was like watching a champion skeet shooter blasting multiple clay disks one right after the other.

Unfortunately, I only inherited my dad's passion for basketball and not his shooting skills. I still find the concept of consistently tossing a 9.5-inch-diameter ball through an 18-inch-diameter hoop from more than 20 feet away with a hostile defender in your face to be one of the most amazing skills to watch in all of sports.

[Dr Z]

Any sport can be changed dramatically by simply changing the rules and how they are enforced.

I agree. NHL used to be boring/less exciting. They fixed this by making it more offensive, which in turn makes the game entertaining. They stopped all the clutching and grabbing, stopped the two line pass, increased the ice behind the net. I look for them to reduce the size of the goalies equipment this off season also.

I like Eric Winston's thoughts:

I think if soccer wants to get big in America, it needs to do what every other American sport has done: Cater to the offense. Football has done it with various penalty changes like pass interference and allowing a certain amount of holding at the line of scrimmage. Basketball has done it by not allowing hand checking. Baseball has done by shrinking the strike zone down to the size of a Happy Meal. My suggestion for soccer? Make it 10 on 10. By taking one guy off, it will allow for the skill guys to have more space to do the amazing things that on occasion you see them do.

Hockey does a similar thing. When a game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes into a 4-on-4 overtime. Taking one man off each team creates open skating with more shots on net.

[Zip Watcher]

In fact, basketball history books generally credit the shot clock for "saving" professional basketball, which was not all that popular a spectator sport at the time. Even Boston Celtics great Bob Cousy, who was the master of dribbling around in circles and running out the clock, admitted that the shot clock was the best thing that ever happened to the NBA. So, in fact, it's not "just me" thinking that scoring offense has great entertainment value.

In my opinion, Terry Pluto's best 2 efforts as a writer were "Loose Balls" and "Tall Tales" .. about the formative years of the ABA & NBA respectively. His style of introducing a topic and just letting the interviewees tell the tale worked well. In Tall Tales, there's a chapter devoted to Biasone and the 24 second clock, as well as its impact on the game. I don't recall there being many principals in the NBA that didn't agree that it helped the league tremendously. Only after that invention were some teams forced to move from bowling alleys to arenas due to uptick in interest and attendance.

[Spin]

If the final score equals excitement, why isn't arena football more popular than the NFL? How is a 200 point NBA game that takes a half hour to play the last two minutes more exciting? If all we need is rules changes to make you a fan, why aren't you and everybody else watching indoor soccer? The Force would still be here and the MLS would still be some purist's dream.

I've sat in bars and watched hockey and soccer while others were watching NBA basketball. Our whole side of the bar erupted when someone scored, we lit the place up. The basketball fans thought we were nuts. They just sat there. When the game was over they picked up their tab and just walked out. Sorry, that's not why I watch sports.

But to each his own. Back on topic.

Yes I think the U should have an aggressive marketing program going right now. Capitalize on the World Cup, and on what the program accomplished last year. Raise awareness to the teams and the school. Buy air time on a local TV channel against a high profile opponent.

Like I said last fall, this area is hungry for a good soccer team. The Force was the only profitable franchise in indoor soccer, maybe in the sport's history. The Cleveland Caps set attendance records then the City Stars set them higher. Too bad the USL put them both out of business with stupid decisions. Akron could fill that need. They just gotta "put it out there."

[jem101]

Ideas to better market the team:

1) Market the team as championship caliber. Think about it. As fans from NE Ohio there is nothing we long for more than a championship. Even a collegiate one. If LeBron leaves, Akron soccer would be the only championship threat in the area. UA should be marketing to get people to be apart of the ride to a possible championship. I know that it has a negative connotation, but we need to get people to jump on the bandwagon. Once they're there they could very well be there long term.

2) Use local sports talk radio to push the team. I think that we need to get people to call into these shows in order to promote the team. Besides, it's free! Most people in that area are unaware of the team. I'm from Streetsboro, yet I never knew we had the #1 team in the land until I started attending the school. Even then, if I didn't have a friend who was a big fan I wouldn't have known that.

3) Have a promotion where season ticket holders can bring a friend for free to a game of their choosing. Encourage them to bring friends who are knew to the sport.

4) MArket the Michigan game. Use the hatred of UM to get people in the seats.

5) Have more merchandise in the stores. We need to have people walking around advertising the program.

These are just a few thoughts, but I think they could get at least a few people in the seats.

[Z.I.P.]

That's just me.

Dave, you could have prefaced your entire post with that statement.

Now, on the more important subject of food, Green is not loaded with restaurants. I'm not familiar with any Mexican restaurants on Canton Road. The Bistro (formerly Bobby's Bistro) is still the best restaurant in the immediate Green area. But there are many good restaurants within 15 miles of Green, and short drives are no problem for me.

Give credit where credit is due. Green is quite the cultural mecca. During my time in Akron I've found Mariachi Loco(a local chain Mexican restaurant) to quench my thirst for international flare. And if that isn't enough, there's an Applebee's AND a Friday's right down the road.

Green, the cultural crossroads of Summit County.

Yeah, but that's just you! I lived there when the cultural highlight was jumping into the sand pits in the summer.

[Dave in Green]

..... I've sat in bars and watched hockey and soccer while others were watching NBA basketball. Our whole side of the bar erupted when someone scored, we lit the place up. The basketball fans thought we were nuts. They just sat there. When the game was over they picked up their tab and just walked out. Sorry, that's not why I watch sports. .....

No surprise here. If basketball teams scored once or twice a game, the basketball fans in the bar would have erupted that it happened while they were at the bar rather than in the bathroom. Then again, there wouldn't be nearly as many basketball fans if basketball teams scored at the same rate as soccer teams.

Understand that I'm in no way trying to put down the sport of soccer. It's just that there's a difference between pure sports and sports entertainment. I can appreciate the athletic skills required to compete at the highest levels of soccer. I just don't find the game that entertaining. Most Americans agree with me. Maybe things will change and Americans will get excited rather than laughing when they hear:

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!

I'm old enough to think this won't happen in my liftetime.

[Z.I.P.]

Any sport can be changed dramatically by simply changing the rules and how they are enforced.

I agree. NHL used to be boring/less exciting. They fixed this by making it more offensive, which in turn makes the game entertaining. They stopped all the clutching and grabbing, stopped the two line pass, increased the ice behind the net. I look for them to reduce the size of the goalies equipment this off season also.

I like Eric Winston's thoughts:

I think if soccer wants to get big in America, it needs to do what every other American sport has done: Cater to the offense. Football has done it with various penalty changes like pass interference and allowing a certain amount of holding at the line of scrimmage. Basketball has done it by not allowing hand checking. Baseball has done by shrinking the strike zone down to the size of a Happy Meal. My suggestion for soccer? Make it 10 on 10. By taking one guy off, it will allow for the skill guys to have more space to do the amazing things that on occasion you see them do.

Hockey does a similar thing. When a game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes into a 4-on-4 overtime. Taking one man off each team creates open skating with more shots on net.

Well, I agree with your dialog on the NHL. It has gotten more entertaining because the speed and athleticism of the players has been allowed to come out more with the added space. I think this would improve basketball too -- but it would be too hard to re-make the court size in relation to the building and stands.

Now the guy's theory on soccer -- the idea that cutting out just one player from the game would create more scoring, I believe is disproven by experience. There are enough games in which each team gets a red card to prove or disprove -- and even more if you look at the Argentinian League! I don't think those games have more scoring, largely because the teams become more defensive-minded to avert the opponent. They are most likely to remove a midfielder, but keep the back line and forwards intact, go from a 4-4-2 to 4-3-2. But, I dont have the coaching experience to be certain. Another interesting experiment -- or research source for this hypothetical exercise -- is the 7-on-7 games that are frequently played in youth tournaments and training. Haven't watched enough to see how much, if any, more scoring takes place. I did watch a 5-on-5 tourney that Hawaii women's team played in Spring 2009, and there was "more" scoring than regular 45-minute halfs, but I think they played either 20 min halfs or 10 minute quarters. And...sand soccer has what -- about 5-10 goals by each team. Is it more entertaining? Only in the way some find futsal (indoor soccer) entertaining compared to the outdoor game. It can be fun to watch, but you can't call it "soccer".

[Z.I.P.]

Bottom line for me, I'm convinced that the "popularity" of soccer in the USA is a self fulfilling prophecy. No sport is likely to become popular when it gets little to no publicity in comparison to other games. And soccer will not get more popularity when the people controlling access to the airwaves refuse to allow it more air time. There are of course exceptions to this rules, as there are in all things. Look at Seattle, where SSFC outdraws all teams except the American football club. And, if Pete Carroll gets his golden fingers going that may be the next milestone to fall.

But for me and I feel, the future of the sport, the blacklisting of football/soccer by American media may not be such a bad thing, for as long as it remains outside the most popular, or "wealthy" US sports, it helps prevent the sport from being "Americanized" the way others have been with the introduction of ideas like "overtime" and "sudden death" in every game, and as you have emphasized, remaking the rules to create more goal scoring -- and worst of all! -- turning the game over from humans to machines to determine the outcome. There's a shot across the bow of ABC/ESPN and Mr Fowler, if I've ever made one!

Excuse me.

[RootforRoo44]

I dont know if anyone has stated this but to be honest, i find soccer alluring and exciting because of the lack of scoring. If only they could do away with ties entirely then i would be very satisfied with the sport.

The stress and the desperation to score makes the game very exciting. Each goal means so much more than any other sports' score/run/point. Though sometimes you have teams that just play back for the tie or for the shootout. Ya know maybe if they gave both teams a loss if they tied it would force some more aggressiveness and scoring?

[jem101]

I dont know if anyone has stated this but to be honest, i find soccer alluring and exciting because of the lack of scoring. If only they could do away with ties entirely then i would be very satisfied with the sport.

The stress and the desperation to score makes the game very exciting. Each goal means so much more than any other sports' score/run/point. Though sometimes you have teams that just play back for the tie or for the shootout. Ya know maybe if they gave both teams a loss if they tied it would force some more aggressiveness and scoring?

We have lots of experience with teams playing for a shootout. That's exactly what UVA did in the College Cup last year. Unfortunately, that paid off for them.