Comments on: The MidSummer Classic – The Long History of Soccer All-Star Matches in the United States http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:29:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: PZ http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-11041 PZ Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:27:27 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-11041 While the teams were called, "All-Stars" they really are no different than many of the London XI or Whatever XI you see many teams who toured the UK during the same period played. Then again, I guess that's what the MLS All-Star game has evolved into. The big difference is, back then seeing those teams on a tour was your only chance to see them. Now, Chelsea, Milan, Barca et al are on TV every week. It's just another chance of the MLS/SUM Marketing Arm to flex them muscles and one more 'event' for them to sell to their sponsors. Unfortunately, the recent attendance numbers for the All-Star games have been good so, expect more of the same. If only we could return to the days of the All-Star game in SD...I was at that one...my buddy and I had a whole section of the Q to ourselves. Left a few minutes into the headline act--some Mexican team against....someone else. Anyway, I'm in agreement with Harry above. I've maintained that elimiating the All-Star game would open a FIFA date...or, use it for the round that MLS teams enter the Open Cup. Just a thought. :) While the teams were called, “All-Stars” they really are no different than many of the London XI or Whatever XI you see many teams who toured the UK during the same period played. Then again, I guess that’s what the MLS All-Star game has evolved into. The big difference is, back then seeing those teams on a tour was your only chance to see them. Now, Chelsea, Milan, Barca et al are on TV every week. It’s just another chance of the MLS/SUM Marketing Arm to flex them muscles and one more ‘event’ for them to sell to their sponsors. Unfortunately, the recent attendance numbers for the All-Star games have been good so, expect more of the same. If only we could return to the days of the All-Star game in SD…I was at that one…my buddy and I had a whole section of the Q to ourselves. Left a few minutes into the headline act–some Mexican team against….someone else. Anyway, I’m in agreement with Harry above. I’ve maintained that elimiating the All-Star game would open a FIFA date…or, use it for the round that MLS teams enter the Open Cup. Just a thought. :)

]]> By: LI Matt http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-10997 LI Matt Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:33:44 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-10997 stupid Shift key.... stupid Shift key….

]]> By: LI Matt http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-10996 LI Matt Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:32:59 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-10996 <i>1926 - the Hakoah All-Stars of Vienna</i> Two points about this tour: 1. their game in New York's Polo Grounds drew a crowd of 46,000 -- a record attendance for a soccer game in the Us that stood until Pele arrived 50 years later. 2. several Hakoah players were offered contracts by ASL teams and, attracted by the (relative) absence of anti-Semitism, accepted them and stayed here. The "New York Hakoah All-Stars" won the U.S. open Cup in 1929. 1926 – the Hakoah All-Stars of Vienna

Two points about this tour:

1. their game in New York’s Polo Grounds drew a crowd of 46,000 — a record attendance for a soccer game in the Us that stood until Pele arrived 50 years later.

2. several Hakoah players were offered contracts by ASL teams and, attracted by the (relative) absence of anti-Semitism, accepted them and stayed here. The “New York Hakoah All-Stars” won the U.S. open Cup in 1929.

]]> By: Lars http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-10955 Lars Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:29:49 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-10955 I hope you guys talk about how Columbus' attendance is up after the end of the Blue Jackets run. Interesting how soccer and hockey are so connected in North America isn't it? I hope you guys talk about how Columbus’ attendance is up after the end of the Blue Jackets run. Interesting how soccer and hockey are so connected in North America isn’t it?

]]> By: Harry Vanmunster http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-10954 Harry Vanmunster Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:26:10 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-10954 How about getting rid of the all-star game, which would create an opening that could be used to shut down the league for international USMNT games. The all-star game is meaningless. How about getting rid of the all-star game, which would create an opening that could be used to shut down the league for international USMNT games. The all-star game is meaningless.

]]> By: Lars http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/the-midsummer-classic-the-long-history-of-soccer-all-star-matches-in-the-united-states/3226#comment-10949 Lars Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:48:44 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=3226#comment-10949 The MLS All Star game or Classic (whichever you prefer) is a good one to watch. It is the only All Star game in North America that matters because you're watching the stars of this league perform for their reputation but also for a chance to be seen by European coaches and clubs. In return, the foreign team is usually in their preseason and evaluating their own players. They may not field the best team, but every player is going to be working hard and is good enough to be considered to play for a European major. You get good futbol. The NHL's all star game, by contrast, is a joke and you've seen it decline in importance since the 80s when players took it seriously. That's why the Winter Classic (a game that means something) has taken more importance. In addition, the NBA, NFL and MLB have tired all star formats that many people could care less about. The MLS All Star game or Classic (whichever you prefer) is a good one to watch. It is the only All Star game in North America that matters because you’re watching the stars of this league perform for their reputation but also for a chance to be seen by European coaches and clubs. In return, the foreign team is usually in their preseason and evaluating their own players. They may not field the best team, but every player is going to be working hard and is good enough to be considered to play for a European major. You get good futbol.

The NHL’s all star game, by contrast, is a joke and you’ve seen it decline in importance since the 80s when players took it seriously. That’s why the Winter Classic (a game that means something) has taken more importance.

In addition, the NBA, NFL and MLB have tired all star formats that many people could care less about.

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