The Cleveland Browns could ruin our soccer pitch

[Balsy]

I just don't understand how it is possible to have a pristine playing surface yet be clueless and unable to maintain that. When you see Cleveland Browns Stadium before a game, it's like a golf course.

Agree on the arena 1000% BTW.

Agreed +1 on the arena. +1 on how it doesn't make sense that a pristine playing surface can be maintained.

[fknbuflobo]

For collegiate soccer, NFL Training Camp is not in the off-season; it is directly prior to soccer pre-season. In fact, there would likely be a slight overlap. This year, first pre-season match vs. Maryland was August 18th.

Recovery time to re-sod and/or repair field is inadequate.

Football and Futbol operate under different standards for quality of field. Pristine in one does not equal pristine in the other. Much like golf, soccer is concerned about the roll of the pitch as much as the running surface. Evenness/Unevenness of the roll matters to soccer whereas not so much to football.

16 months ago, USMNT entertained Belgium MNT in Cleveland Browns Stadium in May, 2013. A tune-up for WC, this international friendly was definitely during the NFL off-season. Afterward, Belgian internationals purportedly complained that the supposedly pristine surface was lumpy and uneven. Different standards! (Browns Stadium always looks nice to me each time I visit.)

FE/CC is one of the best fields in the NCAA and is a fine recruitment tool for both soccer programs. If I, a long time season ticket holder, cannot even walk on it, then the NFL should not be permitted to practice on it.

[fknbuflobo]

The Browns' hegemony already includes Columbus. Looks like they'd be better served by having camp in Toledo every few years if they want to capture a significant state market.

Wow. Browns fandom has certainly shrunk over the decades. Sad.

[Balsy]

Wow. Browns fandom has certainly shrunk over the decades. Sad.

Graphs such as these are also not very good. They don't tell you population sizes. And, it's from facebook users. And it's based on facebook page likes. So take these results with some giant mine size grains of halite.

There's more people in that "Browns" area then there is in some whole states in the "Denver" or "Minnesota" blocks. There's a lot of Browns fans don't kid yourself. Certainly enough to have on campus spending their money

[fknbuflobo]

Graphs such as these are also not very good. They don't tell you population sizes. And, it's from facebook users. And it's based on facebook page likes. So take these results with some giant mine size grains of halite.

There's more people in that "Browns" area then there is in some whole states in the "Denver" block.

Understood. Even with the dodgy criteria you cite, I would still think Browns fandom would be larger on this map. I would hope that there would be isolated counties under the Browns sway throughout the nation. Apparently not.

[Zip_ME87]

Graphs such as these are also not very good. They don't tell you population sizes. And, it's from facebook users. And it's based on facebook page likes. So take these results with some giant mine size grains of halite.

Bear in mind also that since this map is based on Facebook likes, it's demographics lean toward younger generations. There are a significant number of Browns fans who are older, and although they may have a Facebook account, they're not as likely to hit the "like" button as often. There are significant Browns Backers organizations thoughout Ohio and the world. Many of their members likely aren't counting for much on this map.

[Dr Z]

There are a significant number of Browns fans who are older, and although they may have a Facebook account, they're not as likely to hit the "like" button as often.

Would this not apply to other fan bases? I would imagine there are some older Packer, Chiefs, Giants, etc. fans. I would say my travels throughout the US match pretty well with that map. I'm also pretty sure that map has pretty close to .00001 percent to do with the subject...plus or minus .00001 percent.

[GP1]

Afterward, Belgian internationals purportedly complained that the supposedly pristine surface was lumpy and uneven.

Are you sure they weren't talking about their wives/girlfriends?

[Dave in Green]

+614, I'm a conspiracy theorist. in addition to being a ranter; actually, probably more obsessive (but not compulsive) than ranting.

Thanks for taking my comment in the right spirit. A good sense of humor is important for getting through trying times.

And thanks to fknbuflobo for the technical comparison of pristine football vs. futbol turf. It helps everyone understand that there is a legitimate concern to be considered when weighing the benefits of the total package.

[GP1]

Problem Solved

Laziness is not a good reason to not do it.

FIFA stamps 130 fields across the world with their approval.

If we can fly a man to the moon, we can solve this simple horticulture problem. Solve the problem...don't hide from it.

BTW, the Browns won't be coming to Akron. There is nowhere to put them.

[Zip_ME87]

Problem Solved

Laziness is not a good reason to not do it.

FIFA stamps 130 fields across the world with their approval.

If we can fly a man to the moon, we can solve this simple horticulture problem. Solve the problem...don't hide from it.

BTW, the Browns won't be coming to Akron. There is nowhere to put them.

Hmmmm, GP1 interested in soccer, at least enough to find these articles. Another example of how totally unexpected results can so easily occur.

[Spin]

If we can fly a man to the moon, we can solve this simple horticulture problem. Solve the problem...don't hide from it.

BTW, the Browns won't be coming to Akron. There is nowhere to put them.

From the article I read they will be using dorms.

Shit storm about the browns wearing out the carpet in the dorms commencing in 3...

2...

1...

[Zip_ME87]

From the article I read they will be using dorms.

Shit storm about the browns wearing out the carpet in the dorms commencing in 3...

2...

1...

I guess that depends on whose dorms they're using. A little worn carpet might be a good trade for a cheesy pick up line, "Come back to my place baby. Johnny Manziel slept naked in my bed and washed his most private parts in my shower."

[fknbuflobo]

Never guessed I would see GP1 researching soccer articles.

[Spin]

Apparently Can't State is out.

[GP1]

Never guessed I would see GP1 researching soccer articles.

It took 30 seconds.

This discussion shouldn't be about whether or not a group of college athletes can play a game on a field (No pretentious American soccer fans. It isn't a pitch. Just like a baseball field isn't a diamond. Get over yourselves.) with a divot on it, it's just dirt and grass. It's just a sport played on a field. It's a bigger conversation than the field. The issue of why soccer players can handle the field producing a single bad bounce leads to the discussion of why soccer will always be a white suburban game for Americans. I don't know what the socioeconomic class that plays top level soccer in Europe is, but apparently the US tends to produce a player who can't handle a single piece of adversity thrown in front of him. If there is a group of Americans who cant handle adversity of any kind thrown in front of them, it is the suburban class. This is why we will continue to be the lower class of international soccer...forever.

Throw that in your pitch and smoke it suburban soccer fan.

[Balsy]

It took 30 seconds.

This discussion shouldn't be about whether or not a group of college athletes can play a game on a field (No pretentious American soccer fans. It isn't a pitch. Just like a baseball field isn't a diamond. Get over yourselves.) with a divot on it, it's just dirt and grass. It's just a sport played on a field. It's a bigger conversation than the field. The issue of why soccer players can handle the field producing a single bad bounce leads to the discussion of why soccer will always be a white suburban game for Americans. I don't know what the socioeconomic class that plays top level soccer in Europe is, but apparently the US tends to produce a player who can't handle a single piece of adversity thrown in front of him. If there is a group of Americans who cant handle adversity of any kind thrown in front of them, it is the suburban class. This is why we will continue to be the lower class of international soccer...forever.

Throw that in your pitch and smoke it suburban soccer fan.

[Zip_ME87]

It took 30 seconds.

This discussion shouldn't be about whether or not a group of college athletes can play a game on a field (No pretentious American soccer fans. It isn't a pitch. Just like a baseball field isn't a diamond. Get over yourselves.) with a divot on it, it's just dirt and grass. It's just a sport played on a field. It's a bigger conversation than the field. The issue of why soccer players can handle the field producing a single bad bounce leads to the discussion of why soccer will always be a white suburban game for Americans. I don't know what the socioeconomic class that plays top level soccer in Europe is, but apparently the US tends to produce a player who can't handle a single piece of adversity thrown in front of him. If there is a group of Americans who cant handle adversity of any kind thrown in front of them, it is the suburban class. This is why we will continue to be the lower class of international soccer...forever.

Throw that in your pitch and smoke it suburban soccer fan.

Soccer fans, wherever they are, don't even come close to the conceit of American football, basketball and baseball fans in this country.

MLB Baseball: "World" Series...potentially Canada and the United States ; small World; League and fans full of themselves. At least Little League knows what a "World" series is.

NBA Basketball: "World" Champions on their rings...again, potentially Canada and the United States ; small World; League and fans full of themselves

NFL Football: "World" Champions on their rings...solely teams in the United States; League and fans FULL of themselves

Soccer/Football World Cup: countries from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. WORLD championship

If I follow your logic, the Zips Football team should still be playing in the Rubber Bowl with no problem. What's a little adversity? I seem to recall TB and assistants saying they visited Akron before agreeing to sign contacts here. Once they saw the facilities, they felt UA was serious about football and wanting a winner. UA's football facilities are a great recruiting tool, if properly used by a competent coach like we now have and he has been doing. Why does the same not apply to our soccer team in some of your minds? Yeah, Louisville has better facilities just like Ohio State has better football facilities. But, our current soccer stadium is better than a significant number of others in Division 1 and is a recruiting tool for soccer. UA Mens Soccer shouldn't have to suffer because someone thinks that Browns Training Camp is good for UA. Does anyone have some evidence of the great things that Browns Training Camp did for Can't State when it was there in 1975-81, I believe? Can't State sucked in the 70's and it still sucks today. Please dispute that, with evidence.

[Dave in Green]

GP1, are you speaking with the experience of having grown up as a white suburban kid in a higher than average socioeconomic class? Over the years I've known many who have and are not bad at handling adversity. You probably have, too. Under thoughtful consideration stereotyping tends to fall apart.

[bobbyake]

It took 30 seconds.

This discussion shouldn't be about whether or not a group of college athletes can play a game on a field (No pretentious American soccer fans. It isn't a pitch. Just like a baseball field isn't a diamond. Get over yourselves.) with a divot on it, it's just dirt and grass. It's just a sport played on a field. It's a bigger conversation than the field. The issue of why soccer players can handle the field producing a single bad bounce leads to the discussion of why soccer will always be a white suburban game for Americans. I don't know what the socioeconomic class that plays top level soccer in Europe is, but apparently the US tends to produce a player who can't handle a single piece of adversity thrown in front of him. If there is a group of Americans who cant handle adversity of any kind thrown in front of them, it is the suburban class. This is why we will continue to be the lower class of international soccer...forever.

Throw that in your pitch and smoke it suburban soccer fan.

My old high school, North, has more kids on the soccer team than football. They have men's varsity and jv, and a female squad. North is as inner city as anywhere else in the US. Akron public schools has 4 high schools with teams out of 7 schools.

Your perspective of inner city is is garbage. Akron, Columbus, and Pittsburg share similar demographics. I'm sure you can argue North Hill's foreign population is a part of the soccer popularity in that area, but Hispanics and foreigners are making up a good portion of inner cities these days, and those populations are on the rise.

So you should reconsider your statement because it seems your perspective of inner city needs fixed.

[bobbyake]

You are getting old GP1.

[bobbyake]

The issue of why soccer players can handle the field producing a single bad bounce leads to the discussion of why soccer will always be a white suburban game for Americans. If there is a group of Americans who cant handle adversity of any kind thrown in front of them, it is the suburban class. This is why we will continue to be the lower class of international soccer...forever.

Throw that in your pitch and smoke it suburban soccer fan.

Let's take a look at the cities, since you've assumed soccer is a "white suburban game."

Soccer is popular in Akron city limits with several little kid leagues and an indoor facility in Firestone park. Akron's demographics: The racial makeup of the city was 62.2% White, 31.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races.

Ohio's biggest city, Columbus, has several high schools in city limits with soccer teams. Demographics: 61.5% White, 28.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races.

Biggest city in the USA has a huge soccer following. NYC demographics: 44% white (33.3% non-Hispanic white), 25.5% black (23% non-Hispanic black), 0.7% Native American and 12.7% Asian.

Can you even name a city where soccer isn't popular within city limits?

Are you trying to say black city children don't play soccer??? Akron has Inner City Soccer Club with a good % of black children. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=161309830562880

I'm sure the other cities have similar inner city clubs with young African-Americans playing, just like Akron.

I lived in North Hill for 21 years, then Goodyear Heights for 6, and now Green for 3. You should turn off your vhs collection of the Lawrence Welk Show sometime and get out more.

[Zip_ME87]

This just in: Columbus is making a huge push for Browns Training Camp

This a day old: At the reception prior to his investiture I spoke with Dr. Scarborough. He came across very cordially and told me not to worry. The Browns Training Camp is going to Columbus. I don't know how he knows that, but that is what he told me.

After watching that debacle at Infocision Stadium-Summa Field today, I wondered if maybe the AD wants to offer our football stadium to the Can't State Golden Flashes for their practices or maybe inner city Cleveland High School games. More eyes on campus you know.

By the way, the Zips Mens Soccer Team defeated Tulsa 3-0 today. Nice shutout on a beautiful evening with seemingly more Zips fans than showed up at Infocision. Too bad Tom and Terry (never realized before how close that is to Tom and Jerry) don't concentrate on making our Zips FB team better rather than lame brain ideas for other uses of our successful soccer team's facility. I guess FB wants to spread the misery around.

Before any Zips FB fans on ZN.o get all pissed off at my comments go read your comments in the football forum. I'm every bit as disturbed by what I witnessed at Infocision today as any of you. I, too, looked for iCoach on the sideline. As a football season ticket holder and alumnus, I'm entitled to complain about our team in my way as much as any of you.

I'll also add if anyone might think that I or anyone else on ZN.o had an effect on the Browns decision, dismiss it now. As I'm sure most of you know, we unfortunately don't have that much power. The Browns look out for the Browns. They could care less about UA. If anyone here or at UA believes otherwise they're crazy. Jimmy Haslam didn't get where he is caring about things such as a nearby university. I'm sure he's looking to expand the Browns presence as much as possible. He's already got Akron locked up if you look at that Facebook map. Columbus is the largest city in Ohio, and I'm sure he wants to ensure the Browns influence there and in surrounding areas. It comes down to numbers and what is best for the Browns.

[Dave in Green]

Dr. Scarborough seems like a solid source. For me that pretty much ends any relevancy to further discussion of the topic. Anyway I'm pretty sure Zips soccer fans would rather spend their time discussing the promise shown in the team's 3-0 shutout of Tulsa.

[Zip_ME87]

Dr. Scarborough seems like a solid source. For me that pretty much ends any relevancy to further discussion of the topic. Anyway I'm pretty sure Zips soccer fans would rather spend their time discussing the promise shown in the team's 3-0 shutout of Tulsa.

+1

You're right Dave, and maybe I should have just stated what Dr. Scarborough told me. I wasn't trying to provoke anyone on the board with my comments. I was venting my frustration over what I saw on the football field (IS-SF) yesterday. Like others, though, I realize it was just one game and the Zips still have a lot of work to do. I still believe that Terry Bowden will bring us a winner in time. Zips FB is still undefeated in the MAC. Win the MAC this year, and move on to greater glory next year and the year after. Steps not leaps, unfortunately because we were so far down before TB arrived.

Nice 3-0 win by the mens soccer team vs Tulsa. Three wins in a row to build off of. I'm sure every Zip fan here would love to see mens soccer defeat tOSU in Columbus on Wednesday night. GO ZIPS!