NASA News
NASA News
North Atlanta Soccer Association and The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, located across the street from Metro North Park on Paper Mill Road have decided to work together in sponsoring a community-wide food drive to help restock the pantry at MUST Ministries located in Marietta, Georgia. MUST Ministries provide canned food and other non-perishable goods free of charge to Cobb and Cherokee County residents in need.
Here is how you can help:
LCR will have a table near the entrance of the Metro North Park on the following dates. If you would like to participate in this extremely worthwhile cause, please stop by their table. LCR will be providing grocery bags and a list of recommended items for the pantry. Additional instructions will be provided with the grocery bags.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Wednesdays: October 10th and 17th 5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Saturdays: October 13th and 20th 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Jim Ellis Chevrolet Hopes to Help CFC East Soccer Club Score Big
Jim Ellis Chevrolet teams up with CFC East Soccer Club to help raise thousands of dollars for youth soccer program
We are proud to be able to help the kids in our community by donating equipment and giving them the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for their league.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) September 28, 2012
In the spirit of teamwork taught by youth sports, Atlanta Chevy dealership Jim Ellis Chevrolet is teaming up with CFC East Soccer Club to provide their players and coaches with soccer kits filled with equipment bags, pop-up nets, sport cones, scrimmage vests, t-shirts, a sponsorship check and an opportunity to help them raise funds.
CFC East Soccer Club will have the opportunity to raise as much as $10,000 through a fundraising opportunity where one lucky recipient will win his or her choice of a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox or Cruze. Another lucky winner will receive a Home Entertainment Package.
Jim Ellis Chevrolet and other Atlanta area Chevrolet dealerships are donating these prizes to participating leagues in the area. One-hundred percent of the proceeds collected from the fundraiser go directly to the leagues. The funds may be used in any way the league chooses.
A one-time sponsorship check will be presented by Jim Ellis Chevrolet to CFC East Soccer Club. The league also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Soccer Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation, and the league will keep 100% of the proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be four winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Cruze vehicle of choice (up to $24,995 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.
Some leagues plan to grant scholarships to families who cannot afford to enroll their children in the league, while others will use the funds to improve fields and equipment.
“We are proud to be able to help the kids in our community by donating equipment and giving them the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for their league. We are excited to be part of the effort this year, and anticipate a fun-filled season with CFC East Soccer Club,” said Mark Frost, General Manager for Jim Ellis Chevrolet.
For more information about Chevy Youth Soccer, visit http://www.YouthSportsWired.com.
NASL Regular Season Attendance Rises in 2012
MIAMI, Fla. (Sept 25, 2012) ̶ Regular season attendance for the North American Soccer League (NASL) increased from 3,779 in 2011 to 3,810 this year, despite the Montreal Impact (who averaged over 11,500 fans last year) moving to Major League Soccer following the conclusion of the 2011 NASL season.
The NASL’s attendance was paced by newcomer San Antonio which averaged 9,176 fans per game over 14 home dates. Atlanta’s average of 4,505 was nearly a 60% increase over the previous season’s average of 2,866. Carolina’s attendance average of 3,883 was boosted by a strong finish to the season including a record crowd of 7,310 in the team’s final regular season home game on September 22. Minnesota and Tampa Bay each recorded increases in average attendance this season when compared with 2011.
Puerto Rico played its first ten home games at the limited-capacity BayamÏŒn Soccer Complex, but averaged 3,351 fans per game once returning to their newly-renovated Estadio Juan RamÏŒn Loubriel for the final four regular season games. Last season, the Islanders averaged just 2,161 fans per game at Loubriel. Edmonton’s seating capacity was also limited to 1,300 this year at Clarke Stadium but the “Eddies” nonetheless averaged 1,525 fans per game, which is 17% over capacity for the facility.
Next season, San Antonio will move to Toyota Field, an 8,000-seat soccer-specific stadium funded entirely with private money. The iconic New York Cosmos will return in 2013 and play at 13,000 seat James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y., while the Islanders will enjoy a full season at the renovated Estadio Juan RamÏŒn Lobriel. Tampa Bay, Carolina and Edmonton will all boast 2013 home venues with increased amenities and an enhanced experience for fans.
2012 NASL Average Attendance by Team
1) San Antonio 9,176
2) Atlanta 4,505
3) Carolina 3,883
4) Fort Lauderdale 3,615
5) Tampa Bay 3,116
6) Minnesota 2,796
7) Puerto Rico 1,864
8) Edmonton 1,525
Congratulations to Oconee Soccer Alliance U17 Girls Elite
Barrera Earns Offensive Player of the Week Honors
The NASL recognized the 22-year-old midfielder after a pair of standout performances.
Atlanta Silverbacks midfielder Danny Barrera has been named North American Soccer League Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
The 5-foot-9 midfielder finished the 2012 season strongly, tallying a goal and three assists in the Silverbacks’ final two games this past week. Barrera, born in Bogotá, Colombia, led the Silverbacks to a 3-1 win over the first-place San Antonio Scorpions on Wednesday night in Atlanta, assisting on all three goals. He followed up that performance with a goal just a few nights later in the Silverbacks’ 1-1 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
“We had one of the strongest finishes out of any team in the league this year, and for me to be able to help the team achieve those results feels really good,” Barrera said. “I’m glad I was finally able to create some goals, and very happy to go out on a high note this season.”
The former UC-Santa Barbara standout joined the Silverbacks in 2012 after leading amateur side Cal FC past a pair of professional teams in this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He was named Lower Division Player of the Tournament, serving as an instrumental part in Cal FC’s unprecedented run into the fourth round under coach Eric Wynalda. Although still just 22 years old, Barrera has also played professionally for Spartak Zladibor Voda in Serbia.
“Danny has been working hard and playing very well to close out the season,” said Silverbacks Head Coach Brian Haynes. “It’s good to see him being recognized for his play on the field, and I think it’s just a testament to the effort he has put forth since joining the club.”
Barrera tallied a goal and four assists in nine appearances for the Silverbacks this season. He is the sixth Silverbacks player to earn league honors this year, joining goalkeeper Daniel Illyes, midfielder Ciaran O’Brien, and forwards Reinaldo Navia, Matt Horth, and Pedro Mendes.
The former U.S. youth international player helped the Silverbacks post one of the league’s best second-half records. The team only dropped one of its last nine contests in 2012, tallying four wins and four draws to go along with one loss to conclude the season.
| The 2012 NASA Golf and Tennis event is almost here. Sign up today so you don't miss out on all the fun while helping to support the club. http://nasa.dojiggy.com/ |
Xavi and Iniesta are two greats of the modern game - now help your players to imitate them.
This free session will elevate the skills of your players so they can pass and move like these Spanish masters.
You can teach your players the skills of Xavi, Iniesta and other superstars of the world game by joining Better Soccer Coaching, the leading newsletter for grassroots soccer coaches.
You can teach your players the skills of Xavi, Iniesta and other superstars of the world game by joining Better Soccer Coaching, the leading newsletter for grassroots soccer coaches.
When you sign up to this free service before midnight on Tuesday you will receive my Superstar Skills PDF (worth $14 each), containing a Xavi and Iniesta session along with these coaching sessions:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo "chop"
2. Robinho stepover
3. The Cruyff turn
4. The Messi challenge
5. The next...Jack Wilshere
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The 4th annual Black Tie Soccer Game benefiting Soccer in the Streets Returns in October
WHAT: Soccer in the Streets Presents the Fourth Annual Black Tie Soccer Game
WHEN: October 7, 2012
TIMES:
Gates open at Grady High School’s stadium at 1:30p.m.
Matches are from 2 to 4 p.m.
Official After-Party at Park Tavern is from 4 to 6 p.m.
Gates open at Grady High School’s stadium at 1:30p.m.
Matches are from 2 to 4 p.m.
Official After-Party at Park Tavern is from 4 to 6 p.m.
GAMES:
Grady High School Stadium
Monroe Drive NE & 10th Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
Grady High School Stadium
Monroe Drive NE & 10th Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
PARTY:
Park Tavern
500 10th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
www.parktavern.com
Park Tavern
500 10th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
www.parktavern.com
COST:
$5 for adults and children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.blacktiesoccergame.com
$5 for adults and children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.blacktiesoccergame.com
About Soccer in the Streets
Soccer in the Streets, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA, empowers kids who lack opportunity by using soccer as a medium to make them employable adults. Founded in 1989, the organization links life skills with soccer skills and helps at-risk kids thrive at school and at home through out-of-school programs, mentoring relationships, academic support and hands on experience. Our programs develop the next generation of leaders who will eventually cultivate change and progress in their communities. For more information, please visit www.soccerstreets.org.
Soccer in the Streets, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA, empowers kids who lack opportunity by using soccer as a medium to make them employable adults. Founded in 1989, the organization links life skills with soccer skills and helps at-risk kids thrive at school and at home through out-of-school programs, mentoring relationships, academic support and hands on experience. Our programs develop the next generation of leaders who will eventually cultivate change and progress in their communities. For more information, please visit www.soccerstreets.org.
Observations and Dreams | Hooligan’s Eye View
September 20, 2012
Hooligan – Follow on Twitter @HooliganBroome
Last night at my Atlanta local was nothing short of amazing. This season we have seen an Atlanta side that started off horrible with a VERY stagnate style of play emerge into a team that plays beautiful free flowing football.
Sick as I was, I had promised a few of the FC Aztec lads I would take them to the last home game so I did. I turned up with no expectations other than that the lads have a good time. Again I went for them last night not for me or to support the team as I felt horrible.
From kick off I was pleasantly surprised, I saw a different team than the one I saw even one month ago. I witnessed a team that played the beautiful game. It was all there for me honestly. I say that because increasingly I view footie through the eyes of a coach not as a player or pure supporter any longer. I pay attention to movement, positioning, and the passion that the footballers exhibit on the pitch.
The team I saw last night earned every goal even the own goal by San Antonio was a result of correct offensive pressure applied. A perfect storm I must say. It would appear that Head coach Haynes, Ricardo, and Alejandro have gotten the team to buy into their system and that system is sinister and lethal.
The results speak for themselves. Again though I musts address a problem I continue to see, many of these guys are good enough to play elsewhere but in the current USA set-up they will never get that chance. Atlanta fullback, Chris Klute, was sold to Colorado Rapids last week, this is a small victory, it also speaks volumes of Ricardo and Alejandro as Chris is their product of the Atlanta reserves team.
I’m sure there are others but in the Atlanta metro area, they are the only coaches I know willing to develop kids, not just well to do kids or poor kids but just kids period. I also of course plug both of them as they are mentors to me and all around good guys that are always willing to help when I ask for it.
That said we can also thank Eric Wynalda for a lot of the talent on the Atlanta team right now. When Eric took the coaching reigns he brought in a lot of his Cal FC guys. These are all good guys that were either ignored by or “bounced out” of the MLS system.
I don’t know the complete back story on all of them so that may not be completely accurate but none the less Cal FC was a quickly thrown together club that gave two MLS teams a run for their money in the US Open Cup this year. The Cal FC run in the cup clearly shows many of the issues in play with the US system.
The talent in the United States is out there folks, in abundance, but we don’t have a youth or league set up to accommodate their development so we either lose said talent to other countries where they seek to ply their trade or we just lose them altogether because interest is lost because opportunity isVERY hard to come by. This is a national disgrace to me.
When I state we lose them to other countries one might ask: “How ? When they reach prominence they will be identified and selected for National Team duty and so on, don’t worry.” The problem is folks we are a country of immigrants and much of our footballing talent is not native to our country in some cases and in other cases is first generation and when you make it so difficult or them to get a look in their new home they throw up their hands and return to where they have a better chance to get a look. We bleed our potential talent folks.
An open league system will fix many, not all, but many of these problems. Unlimited clubs and open leagues means potential for unlimited development of talent which prevents the loss of talent. What if every big youth club across the country fielded a first team that played in some tier of a 5-7 tier US system? Can you imagine the amount of talent we would churn out and attract? Yes, yes I know it’s not an “American” idea so it just won’t happen but I can dream that my FC Aztec lads will have better footballing opportunities one day can’t I?
-BROOME
Atlanta Shares Point With Puerto Rico
September 23, 2012
Match Report courtesy of AtlantaSilverbacks.com
Bayamón, P.R. (September 22, 2012) – The Atlanta Silverbacks closed out their 2012 season with a 1-1 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders Saturday night at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Going into Saturday night’s contest, the Silverbacks owned the best record in the NASL over the last eight games, with only one loss during that time period. Head Coach Brian Haynes fielded a strong side against a young Islanders squad that didn’t feature a few of their key players ahead of the play-offs.
The Silverbacks, winners of a pair of games in the last five days, would pick up right where they left off, grabbing a first-half lead in the 30th minute. Midfielder Danny Barrera unleashed a rocket of a shot from over 25 yards, leaving Islanders goalkeeper Cody Laurendi helpless.
Islanders forward Hector Ramos should have evened the score in the 38th minute after a perfect feed from midfielder Tyler Wilson, but the Puerto Rican’s shot flew way over the net from just 12 yards out.
Following half-time, Ramos was involved yet again, only this time it led to an Islanders goal. Wilson found Ramos in the penalty area, and the forward launched a shot off the crossbar. Thankfully for the Islanders, midfielder Justin Fojo was there to gather the rebound and blast a shot past Silverbacks goalkeeper Eric Ati to make the score 1-1 in the 54th minute.
After finding the equalizer, the Islanders were in control. Ati was forced into a big save just two minutes after the goal, denying midfielder Osei Telesford from close range. Ramos was next to test Ati, heading a ball towards the corner of the net, but it didn’t have enough power on it to trouble the Cameroonian goalkeeper.
The Silverbacks moved the ball well in the second half, but it failed to lead to any serious scoring opportunities. The second half belonged to the Islanders, and just seconds before the final whistle, the home team nearly took all three points from the Silverbacks. Wilson found himself in space at the top of the penalty area, and fired a quick shot towards goal, but it ended up just inches wide of the post.
It was a strong finish to the season for the Silverbacks, who gathered four wins, four ties, and one loss over a nine-game period in August and September. The team will hope to carry that momentum into the 2013 season. Season tickets for next year are already on sale, and can be ordered by calling the box office at 404-969-4900.
UPDATE 1-Soccer: Mourinho will return to England- "for sure"
Reuters – 5 hours ago
* "London blue" Mourinho gives no club preference
* Portuguese refuses to discuss dropping Real's Ramos (Adds quotes ahead of Sunday's match, changes dateline)
MADRID, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is certain he will manage again in England once his time at the Bernabeu comes to an end.
The Portuguese, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea in 2005 and 2006, said it did not matter which Premier League club he would return to despite his affection for the Blues.
"I cannot deny what is clear in my mind. After Real Madrid, England. That is for sure," the former Porto and Inter Milan coach told Britain's Sky Sports Television on Saturday.
Asked which team he would like to join, he added: "In England, everyone. I'm a blue, I'm a London blue but I'm a professional."
The idea of replacing Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, who has been in charge since 1986 and was due to retire in 2002 but changed his mind, has long appealed to the confident Portuguese manager.
Chelsea remain his true love though and he has previously stated he will return to Stamford Bridge one day.
Mourinho fears they will badly miss striker Didier Drogba this term after the Ivorian, matchwinner in the Champions League final in May, left for Shanghai Shenhua.
"I believe Drogba is a big difference to them. You can't replace Drogba," he said, aware that Fernando Torres has been hit-and-miss so far this term as Chelsea's lone striker.
"Chelsea will miss Drogba and it will mean a few points less."
STICKY START
Mourinho's Spanish champions have had a sticky start to the season, losing two of their four La Liga games before a stirring comeback to beat Manchester City 3-2 late on in Tuesday's Champions League encounter.
The Portuguese lashed out at his players following last weekend's league defeat by Sevilla, questioning the commitment and focus of many of his team.
He surprisingly dropped Spain defender Sergio Ramos for the City thriller, replacing him with little-used 19-year-old Rafael Varane which led to media speculation that one of the leading figures in the dressing room had been punished.
"I am not going to talk about him (Ramos) because he didn't play the last game," Mourinho told a news conference on Saturday ahead of their league game at Rayo Vallecano.
"Pepe and Varane played, they played very well and kept things simple. They were good in the air, they were quick and they pushed the team up the pitch. City scored two goals against us but neither of the central defenders was at fault."
Pressed on the reasons for Varane playing instead of Ramos, Mourinho snapped back: "I can explain why Ramos didn't play, but I want to ask you a question.
"Why don't you speak about Varane? A week ago, why didn't you talk about the sadness of Varane and his frustration at not being able to play?
"Now he plays a good game and no-one speaks about him. You tell me this and I will happily tell you about Ramos." (Writing by Mark Meadows; editing by Amlan Chakraborty and Tom Pilcher)
Soccer's big takeover
Soccernet / ESPN.com IllustrationWill soccer become as popular as MLB and NBA in the U.S. One researcher thinks it's inevitable.
The future of American soccer will be determined by one man. And, perhaps surprisingly, he is neither Jurgen Klinsmann, Clint Dempsey nor Ian Darke.
Rich Luker, a 59-year-old baseball-loving social scientist based in North Carolina, is the brains behind the ESPN Sports Poll, the complex database that recently pronounced soccer as America's second-most popular sport for those age 12-24, outstripping the NBA, MLB and college football. Luker is also the man who discovered that three soccer players -- Lionel Messi (16th), iconic veteran David Beckham (20th), and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (24th) -- rank among the 50 most popular athletes in America. "Unbelievably, [Lionel] Messi ranks ahead of Dwyane Wade," Luker marveled. "Only two baseball players, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter, are ahead of him."
Luker founded the Sports Poll in 1994 when he realized the industry lacked a systematic intelligence service despite the billions of dollars poured into it. The researcher quickly partnered with ESPN to track the minutiae of fan habits surrounding 32 major sports, hoping to understand how Americans watch, play, buy and express their fandom.
Luker is a gregarious chap whose passion for his craft is self-evident. Even after 30 years in the business, the researcher still sounds as if he is in the midst of his first "Eureka moment" as he litters his conversation with such off-the-cuff nuggets as "lack of discretionary spending power means that a larger proportion of Americans would now rather watch games on television than in person," or "since 2007, the only age group that has increased its interests in sports are males over the age of 45. Everyone else is down."
Granted, Luker's terrain, the United States, is exceptional. "We live in a country that experiences a pent-up need for connection between family and friends, and sport has become the dominant way to do that," he said.
His studies have revealed that 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as sports fans, and the social scientist said with a giddy tone of wonder, "Most cultures have two, sometimes three dominant sports -- the United States has 12."
Rich Luker, a 59-year-old baseball-loving social scientist based in North Carolina, is the brains behind the ESPN Sports Poll, the complex database that recently pronounced soccer as America's second-most popular sport for those age 12-24, outstripping the NBA, MLB and college football. Luker is also the man who discovered that three soccer players -- Lionel Messi (16th), iconic veteran David Beckham (20th), and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (24th) -- rank among the 50 most popular athletes in America. "Unbelievably, [Lionel] Messi ranks ahead of Dwyane Wade," Luker marveled. "Only two baseball players, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter, are ahead of him."
Luker founded the Sports Poll in 1994 when he realized the industry lacked a systematic intelligence service despite the billions of dollars poured into it. The researcher quickly partnered with ESPN to track the minutiae of fan habits surrounding 32 major sports, hoping to understand how Americans watch, play, buy and express their fandom.
Luker is a gregarious chap whose passion for his craft is self-evident. Even after 30 years in the business, the researcher still sounds as if he is in the midst of his first "Eureka moment" as he litters his conversation with such off-the-cuff nuggets as "lack of discretionary spending power means that a larger proportion of Americans would now rather watch games on television than in person," or "since 2007, the only age group that has increased its interests in sports are males over the age of 45. Everyone else is down."
Granted, Luker's terrain, the United States, is exceptional. "We live in a country that experiences a pent-up need for connection between family and friends, and sport has become the dominant way to do that," he said.
His studies have revealed that 85 percent of Americans identify themselves as sports fans, and the social scientist said with a giddy tone of wonder, "Most cultures have two, sometimes three dominant sports -- the United States has 12."
GettyImages / Frederick J. Brown/AFP/Getty ImagesCome on, now, CR7, be happy -- you're the 24th most popular athlete in America. (But, OK, we won't mention where Messi is ranked.)
The U.S. soccer audience is also unique in Luker's eyes. "It is a true community. The only group that comes close are college sports fans or followers of the Grateful Dead. They embrace soccer as a communal lifestyle as opposed to a personal experience or a community that only exists on gameday."
Luker's analysis has revealed the reason soccer fandom tends to be expressed on a 24/7 basis. "Soccer was originally an expression of national identity in hotbeds like the United Kingdom or Brazil," he said. "So that seed has been imported and sown here in the United States."
However, Luker also believes soccer is underperforming. "It's a sport that should have been doing well a long time ago." The social scientist is well positioned to make that claim. He partnered with MLS back when it was planning the launch of the league in 1994. "We discovered 30 percent of American households contained someone playing soccer. The only game that comes close to that massive number is baseball."
Through decades of study, Luker was able to pinpoint the exact moment soccer's built-in early advantage traditionally evaporated. "The game was massive up to the age of 13, when sport was all about bonding with male peers, but in middle school, it became all about cross-bonding with other genders and high school football shot right to the top," he said. "You simply can't beat the social lubrication of the homecoming football game."
Soccer's social perception was further weakened by the sport's stigmatization in the 1990s. "Middle school kids were seen to lack the guts to play one of the big sports -- baseball, football, or basketball -- preferring to play soccer, the sport their moms were pushing."
But the sporting tectonic plates have shifted. America's cultural diversification, increasingly globalized outlook, and widespread access to the Internet all have benefitted soccer more than the other more traditional American sports. "In the last two years, Americans have been exposed to elite soccer on a very regular basis, which has allowed us to appreciate the sport and develop a savvy about it in a way we could not before," Luker said.
The impact of these factors has been as powerful as they are simple. "Kids growing up today gain cachet and social currency by knowing about the sport," Luker said. The old stigma has fallen away. Pride and esteem have become attached to the game for the first time as Americans have collectively undergone a "now we understand what it is all about" moment. It is only a matter of time 'til we see soccer take off in a big way."
By way of context, Luker rattles off statistics about soccer's competitors. "Twenty-five percent of Americans are avid NFL fans first and foremost, 14.4 percent are basketball fans, and MLB comes third with 13.9 percent."
Soccer's avid fanbase is 10 percent, which does not sound like much until you realize that is 33 million people. "Based on the way it is trending, I believe global soccer will soon be four or five times bigger than it is today, and MLS's fanbase will triple or quadruple," he said. For those who do not believe, Luker is keen to underline that change can happen fast. "In 1994, MLB was as popular as the NFL. This stuff can shift quickly and right now, soccer is like a rocket ship on the launchpad."
"If baseball and basketball don't adapt to this new reality they are going to have issues," Luker continued, discussing the NFL's challenge to continue to develop talent in an era in which youth participation has dropped precipitously. "Fewer and fewer kids are actually playing [American] football so they won't learn the game in the way it sustained their interest in the past. It is an inevitability that soccer will soon be as popular as MLB and NBA."
How long will it take to get there? "We are talking generational change," Luker said. "A generation of kids have now grown up as having MLS as part of their reality. Give us one more cycle and that is all it will take. One more generation."
Luker is bullish about the rise of MLS, given that 7.2 percent of Americans describe themselves as fans of the league. "That is 25 million people, of whom MLS can only currently account for about 5 million, a fifth of their potential audience," he said. "If the league gets its marketing right, there will be massive growth." Luker reinforces this bold claim by revealing a remarkable 50 percent of those who declare any interest in soccer ask to know more about the MLS when three percent is considered a positive response rate in the consumer product industry. "MLS's problem is they only have 19 teams and no regular national television presence," Luker said. "Right now, you are not going to bump into their product but they are working hard to change that."
Despite Luker's evident enthusiasm for soccer's future, he said that he grew up playing hockey in Ann Arbor, Mich., and only watches MLS and EPL for a living. When pushed, he concluded by confessing, "My greatest delight is to look out of a plane's window when I am crossing the country and see what people are playing in the parks below," he said. "If you watch it like that, soccer is the biggest sport in the nation."
Roger Bennett is a columnist for ESPN, and with Michael Davies, is one of Grantland's "Men In Blazers." Follow him on Twitter: @rogbennett.
Luker's analysis has revealed the reason soccer fandom tends to be expressed on a 24/7 basis. "Soccer was originally an expression of national identity in hotbeds like the United Kingdom or Brazil," he said. "So that seed has been imported and sown here in the United States."
However, Luker also believes soccer is underperforming. "It's a sport that should have been doing well a long time ago." The social scientist is well positioned to make that claim. He partnered with MLS back when it was planning the launch of the league in 1994. "We discovered 30 percent of American households contained someone playing soccer. The only game that comes close to that massive number is baseball."
Through decades of study, Luker was able to pinpoint the exact moment soccer's built-in early advantage traditionally evaporated. "The game was massive up to the age of 13, when sport was all about bonding with male peers, but in middle school, it became all about cross-bonding with other genders and high school football shot right to the top," he said. "You simply can't beat the social lubrication of the homecoming football game."
Soccer's social perception was further weakened by the sport's stigmatization in the 1990s. "Middle school kids were seen to lack the guts to play one of the big sports -- baseball, football, or basketball -- preferring to play soccer, the sport their moms were pushing."
But the sporting tectonic plates have shifted. America's cultural diversification, increasingly globalized outlook, and widespread access to the Internet all have benefitted soccer more than the other more traditional American sports. "In the last two years, Americans have been exposed to elite soccer on a very regular basis, which has allowed us to appreciate the sport and develop a savvy about it in a way we could not before," Luker said.
The impact of these factors has been as powerful as they are simple. "Kids growing up today gain cachet and social currency by knowing about the sport," Luker said. The old stigma has fallen away. Pride and esteem have become attached to the game for the first time as Americans have collectively undergone a "now we understand what it is all about" moment. It is only a matter of time 'til we see soccer take off in a big way."
By way of context, Luker rattles off statistics about soccer's competitors. "Twenty-five percent of Americans are avid NFL fans first and foremost, 14.4 percent are basketball fans, and MLB comes third with 13.9 percent."
Soccer's avid fanbase is 10 percent, which does not sound like much until you realize that is 33 million people. "Based on the way it is trending, I believe global soccer will soon be four or five times bigger than it is today, and MLS's fanbase will triple or quadruple," he said. For those who do not believe, Luker is keen to underline that change can happen fast. "In 1994, MLB was as popular as the NFL. This stuff can shift quickly and right now, soccer is like a rocket ship on the launchpad."
"If baseball and basketball don't adapt to this new reality they are going to have issues," Luker continued, discussing the NFL's challenge to continue to develop talent in an era in which youth participation has dropped precipitously. "Fewer and fewer kids are actually playing [American] football so they won't learn the game in the way it sustained their interest in the past. It is an inevitability that soccer will soon be as popular as MLB and NBA."
How long will it take to get there? "We are talking generational change," Luker said. "A generation of kids have now grown up as having MLS as part of their reality. Give us one more cycle and that is all it will take. One more generation."
Luker is bullish about the rise of MLS, given that 7.2 percent of Americans describe themselves as fans of the league. "That is 25 million people, of whom MLS can only currently account for about 5 million, a fifth of their potential audience," he said. "If the league gets its marketing right, there will be massive growth." Luker reinforces this bold claim by revealing a remarkable 50 percent of those who declare any interest in soccer ask to know more about the MLS when three percent is considered a positive response rate in the consumer product industry. "MLS's problem is they only have 19 teams and no regular national television presence," Luker said. "Right now, you are not going to bump into their product but they are working hard to change that."
Despite Luker's evident enthusiasm for soccer's future, he said that he grew up playing hockey in Ann Arbor, Mich., and only watches MLS and EPL for a living. When pushed, he concluded by confessing, "My greatest delight is to look out of a plane's window when I am crossing the country and see what people are playing in the parks below," he said. "If you watch it like that, soccer is the biggest sport in the nation."
Roger Bennett is a columnist for ESPN, and with Michael Davies, is one of Grantland's "Men In Blazers." Follow him on Twitter: @rogbennett.
Atlanta and Scorpions players compete for a set piece
Credits:
North American Soccer League
For the second match in a row, the San Antonio Scorpions missed a chance to claim the NASL regular season title as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against the eliminated Atlanta Silverbacks in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
The Scorpions got off to the worst possible start when the Silverbacks took a very early lead as Danny Baretta's cross found Willie Hunt allowing him to head home the opening goal.
Pablo Campos had a chance to level things in the 6th minute after he was found by a perfect Walter Ramirez cross but his header could only find the crossbar.
If not for Daryl Sattler it could have gotten worse in the 11th minute as he made a diving save to deny Pablo Cruz.
After that frantic opening things calmed down until Wes Knight fired off a shot that was well saved by the Atlanta keeper, Daniel Illyes in the 21st minute.
The Scorpions missed another golden opportunity to equalize in the 25th minute after Estaban Bayona was played in one-on-one with the keeper, his shot beat Illyes but went wide of the post.
The Scorpions were perhaps a little unlucky to be 2-0 down at half-time as Danny Barrera's 39th minute free-kick took a heavy deflection leaving Sattler stranded and giving the Silverbacks a two goal lead at the break.
It was a very even start to the second half with Atlanta standing up strongly at the back while the Scorpions looked to attack to find a way back in the match.
That life line came in the 68th minute when Josue Soto found space 30 yards out and hit a powerful shot that put the Scorpions on the board.
That hope would be short lived as the Silverbacks came back to restore their two goal lead as Pablo Mendes got the ball on the edge of the area and fired home powerfully for a 3-1 win.
That result coupled with Tampa Bay's draw means that the season will come down to the final day, the Scorpions needing to simply not lose to secure the regular season title.
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