The attraction in Seattle was the final regular-season match of goalkeeper Kasey Keller’s career. Keller is from the Seattle area and experienced success in Europe, but he does not command anywhere near the attention of a Beckham.
The significant crowds - the Sounders regularly have drawn more than 36,000 the past two seasons - in Seattle can be attributed to many factors, the top two probably stadium location/accessibility and a quality team (the Sounders are in second place in the MLS overall standings).
Also, the timing was right for launching the Sounders into the MLS in 2009. There might have been some crossover from disenchanted SuperSonics supporters after the NBA relocated the franchise. Also, the Sounders retained a positive image from their North American Soccer League days and the team had remained active, though at a minor league level, since the NASL’s demise in 1984.
All of the MLS’s Pacific Northwest teams have received enthusiastic receptions. One advantage they have is that the time difference limits competition from televised European matches.
For savvy soccer fans on the East Coast who have watched quality games early Saturday morning through the afternoon, by the evening, there is little incentive to attend an MLS game. In Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, though, few viewers would be expected to have arisen at 4:30 a.m., for example, for last Saturday’s Liverpool-Manchester United game. Most of the European action has concluded well before noon Pacific Time.
The key, though, is providing quality competition. MLS matches are not yet as attractive as the world’s top leagues. But the MLS has the potential to make its mark. On Saturday, only three crowds worldwide topped Seattle’s for its 2-1 win over San Jose - Barcelona-Racing Santander (80,000), Real Madrid-Real Betis (76,000), and Bayern Munich-Hertha Berlin (69,000).
Time to boot relegation?
Asian and US investors in English soccer clubs have been discussing the elimination of the promotion/relegation for the Premier League, according to Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association.
