Burning Sensation: An All-Time Low
September 10th, 2009 . 5:00 pm . By: Peter WelptonMy personal relationship with FC Dallas has sunk to an all time low. Yes, being a true “fan” means that you stick with your side through good times and bad, and the last few months (actually years) have been really bad. Through those times I have stuck with the team as the front office leadership (former and current) made one bizarre decision after another – starting with Southlake, ending with trading Drew Moor (edit: make that signing Hernandez). With the passing of Lamar Hunt the whole soccer thing seems to be nothing more than a secondary thought to those in control – and that is clearly filtering down to those that attend and are fans of the team. Personally there is a level of guilt I wrestle with because of my new found FCD apathy, but I’m not sure I am alone at fault in its cause. My attendance of the DC United match last weekend was my first actual viewing, in person or on TV, of the team in over a month. I had actually forgotten to set my DVR to record the last three FCD away matches! More embarrassingly, I possess the power to set up my DVR remotely from my phone (for those last second realizations) and not once before those matches did the thought ever pop into my head. (For a quick review of the match, I can’t believe that I think this team has actually gone backwards since I last saw them) Since most of you don’t know me personally, I will offer up that this is a shocking turn of events since 1996 my life really had revolved around the Dallas Burn/FCD playing schedule. My wife will attest to the fact that her frustration level over this issue has regularly reached boiling points in the last 10+ years. What’s changed? For me it’s the realization that Hunt Sports Group simply has placed soccer has a secondary consideration and the fans behind that. The hiring of the current coach smells much more of some odd indebted family relationship than smart soccer business. The team’s lack of any real direction on the marketing front also feels more like a lack of financial backing than any real lower level decision making process. There is a noticeable attitude that the ownership feels like getting the stadium built was, “enough”. In a great point made by Dustin Christmann in his outstanding open letter to Clark Hunt, the great irony is that FC Dallas with its rich ownership is failing at every turn where the ownerless Dallas Burn really worked hard and excelled. There was a time when the team worked tirelessly to attract soccer fans of all cultures, had creative marketing ideas and bought into the idea that selling soccer in the DFW area wasn’t like selling tackle football or baseball. On the field, means were found to bring outstanding difference makers to the roster – resulting in a competitive team that attracted larger audiences. Today, the malaise of yet another losing season plus the odd sense that Hunt Sports Group either has no clue has to how bad things are and/or that they just don’t care (as long as PHP keeps the ledger black with profitable concerts) has taken the whole thing to a new low. It is common talk amongst those of us in the media and fandom of just where Hunt Sports Group is going with this thing. It is clear that Clark Hunt’s decision to hire Hyndman comes with a tremendously long rope, in fact, I’d bet that the odds are better that Schellas will give up on himself before the Hunts do. But by that time what will be left? It is really a sad state that FCD doesn’t seem to be willing to capitalize on what they have. The DFW region can be a great soccer market. The “Frisco is too far away” argument is a red herring as a good competitive side would certainly put 15,000+ in the seats week in and week out. No doubt about it. But no one wants to go out of their way, especially in this economy, to spend money on a team that oozes poor ownership. Without question, DFW soccer fans have much to thank the Hunts for in terms of what they have given to the area, but what we are getting now is setting all of that back – in frighteningly irreparable damage. I will be, as the sign says, “Dallas till I Die” – but that doesn’t mean I have to put out more than the team or the ownership. Oh yes, grades. That is what you came here for. Sorry. I just can’t bring myself to do grades any at this point of the season. It is too depressing and it is simply an exercise in repetition. Defense stinks If I have to point out anything from the DC match was Sala’s momentum killer on the flubbed free kick. I don’t know if Dario realizes it or not, but he’s either totally made of glass and can’t fall down without hurting his lower extremities, or (more likely) just gone to the “I screw up, so I will fake an injury for an excuse” well one too many times. On Saturday, the lengthy stoppage of time for a knee injury that we all are supposed to believe happened while falling to said knee to smother a free kick, simply snuffed out any rhythm the team had put together. It was truly a game changing moment. 17 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Its times like these that I wish The Hunts read this site.
The fact that three of the biggest fans this team has ever had (Dustin, Peter, and Chamo, all there from Day one I believe, someone can correct me if I’m wrong) have reached the breaking point (or have reached a state of apathy) speaks VOLUMES and is probably the single, biggest indicator of how miserable things have become for this once-humble, but proud franchise.
This is a tough franchise to support. I haven’t been there from the start, but from what I’ve seen we went from a team that consistently performs well in the season but chokes in the playoffs to bottom feeders of the league. There is a lot of negativity so I’ll try to point out a few positives.
1) New players have been brought in to fill gaps on the field (though many would argue changes should start at the top). Better than rolling over and doing nothing in any case.
2) Ferreira is finding his groove despite the constant changes in formation; he could be poised for a breakout year next season
3) Cunningham has shown he is still a legit goal scorer; check his stats, of the golden boot front runners he has the fewest minutes (don’t let the games played fool you, he started the season a super sub)
4) Since the all-star break FCD has been 2-2-1, small sample and some tough losses, but still way better than how we started
5) We have a glut of young talent, admittedly they need to take a big step up, but I have to believe at least one of them is up to the task of fulfilling the promise of their potential
6) We aren’t New York
Try to stay positive kids
Where does it end. Do the Hunts sale the team? Move the team to another city? Run the organization so far in the ground and fold? I assume there is really no long term plan in place. Hopefully someone who sees the potential of the club and market make HSG an offer they can not refuse and buys the team and pulls us all at of this malasie.
I know where you came from in regards to the Dallas Burn and just how you feel now. I would feel like an enabler if I went to PHP.
the only way you can show that you dont support what is happening is to not support what is going on at php. vote with your $.
Re: “We aren’t New York”
You’re right. No matter how bad their season – potentially historically bad – New York can still beat Dallas.
That hurts.
Adam E. = front office?
I kid…I actually like your points, except i don’t think you can hang your season on Cunny next year, striker is a hole that NEEDS to be filled before we kick off 2010.
Of course, a inept FO would have already filled it, knowing they were going to bank on Kenny this year before he left on the free.
This is the best point of the article and very scary, “I’d bet that the odds are better that Schellas will give up on himself before the Hunts do.”
7) FCD is 2 points clear of relegation.
I expect if FCD does not at least make the playoffs next season or even if next season starts out poorly, SH will move to a Technical Director type position and a new manager will be brought in.
Former season ticket holder here – the key is former. As much as I love the Burn/FCD franchise I just have stopped going. This is the only way I feel I can protest. I will not answer when the team calls to try to sell me tickets. The kick in the nuts for me was the untimely and inexcusable firing of Steve Morrow and the hiring of Smellass Hindman. I know I am beating a dead horse here but at the risk of the team moving or folding all we can do is not buy tickets – it is that simple.
So how does everyone feel now after thrashing golden balls superstars? Sure it’s hard supporting FCD in an incredibly tough and disjointed year. But it is getting better and all is not lost.
FO is finally talking to the SGs regarding what they can do to help. This is not going to be fixed overnight… it is what it is right now… but protesting by NOT going to a game I think is a rash error of judgement.
I threw a sign together a few matches ago saying “Fire Coach Dumb A**” but now I have seen a light at the end of the tunnel. The TEAM still has a lot to prove but I WILL NOT write them off or stop supporting them. I have only been in Dallas a couple years so I havent felt the pain as long as most of you. I respect your opinions and understand your feelings. I truly hope you all search deep and long, and come back to the red and white army!!!
In regards to the thrashing of LA Galaxy…. “GLORRY, GLLORY FC DALLAS.. GLORY, GLORY FC DALLAS… GLORY, GLORY FC DALLAS… THE HOOPS GO MARCHING ON!”… well, hopefully!
Perhaps HH it is because so many haven’t been going that the FO is starting to feel the heat to fix things. Speaking for myself I am still wait and see as I’ve heard a lot of talk before (cue up infamous Greg Elliot liefest and multiple Hitch offenses) but very little action. I do agree that it won’t be fixed in a day and if they are really doing things I bet most of us will come around. Just saying what we want to hear will not work as there is no trust anymore.
Dustin, Chamo, Hitman, Pegasus, Incredible Mulluah, and myself. All of us were there in 1996, and all of us, to some extent, have abandoned the team.
Some of us have left the area. Yet there is nothing stopping from us from buying season tickets. Frankly, FCD season tickets are a bargain. We have all read Dustin’s letter, and I dropped my season tickets after speaking with friends who worked with or for Hitch, along with the fans of DC United and Los Angeles.
I recall those nights on the grassy knoll at the Cotton Bowl, those discussions longing for the day when Dallas would have an owner and the SSS.
Be careful what you wish for.
What angers me and what pains me the most about the current FO is in the comparisons and contrasts with what we hand in the genesis of FCD. Look at what St. William and Andrew the Great had to deal with. FO apologists will complain that Hitch does not have the financial support he needs. Trust me when I say Hicks or Swift would have loved to have the money and support Hitch has (or had).
The team had leadership and a single goal then: to grow the fan base by providing a great game day experience. Quite a difference from the ambivalence and outright hostility we see today.
Hindsight, the saying goes, is 20/20. I wonder if it will be for HSG. And I wonder what Billy Swoft and John Alper are doing right now.
Post Script: Add Charlie to the first sentence.