Chris, no offense, but you came off as a little bit of a snob in your post. I don’t think it was intended at all…but a subtle tone was there. Hey I am guessing most of us support an EPL, La Liga or Serie A team in addition to our domestic teams. Even if not, most knowledgeable fans know where MLS currently stands in the grand scheme. Doesn’t make any less fun to follow even if it’s not as easy on the eyes. There is no need to act like MLS is beneath you and that you are doing the league a favor. I will say that I am really happy for all of soccer in the US that the Sounders have been such a huge success. I will also admit that I am a little jealous and would love to have the same atmosphere in Dallas. I am also glad to hear that the Sounders are more than a novel attraction given that sales are strong for 2010 as well.

Robert and Chris, I definitely both agree with you that it would be hard to support a scabbed together team. But I am of two minds, would I rather have the league succeed? Or show some sort of solidarity towards the current players by not attending games because I do agree that their wants are totally within reason?

I hope something can get resolved and soon because ultimately I think a strike can do more harm than good for everybody, the players included.

Lastly to Buzz, great article and I couldn’t agree more with the points you bring up. Let’s all hope this comes to a resolution and 2010 can be the start of something good for FCD, not the season that no one cared about, or worse, the season MLD started to die.

Yes Kevin, the league needs every fan it can get, I just don’t have a nonchalant attitude about a player strike, nor about watching union scabs knocking the ball around in their place…especially not for the top dollar I paid for my seats.

Lastly, I could not allow the Sounder’s fan to take the footie high road on us. I had to show a little FCD pride. ;- )

Like it or not you need fans like Chris attending games at PHP and other MLS Stadiums across the land to keep this league going. Do you think everyone who attends a baseball game with their family during the summer is a die hard fan? Hardly, and that’s America’s Pasttime, not a niche sport that is 6th at best on the depth chart behind football, baseball, basketball, hockey and I am guessing PGA Golf. Without fans like Chris, there would be no league or teams for you and I to enjoy and support. Obviously it would benefit MLS and soccer in America in the longrun for more knowledgeable fans to become the majority, but at the moment casual and serious fans are both required.

PC Cobb is a wanker, obviously on anti-depressants ;- ). I could not disagree with him more.

I DO care about FC Dallas winning games! I absolutely do care about the quality of the players on the pitch, and the quality of Major League Soccer in general. We need to care for it to continuously improve.

MLS is a better league now then what it was in 1996, and I would hope for it to be equal to second tier Europe in 20 years. The ongoing quality of a league is directly correlated with the number of passionate fans that support it, because it takes money to make a quality league happen.

You want a nice summer day PC Cobb? Then please go on a picnic. I am serious about my footie. I expect FCD to go deep into the play-offs this year, and am looking forward to the season.

A strike would really crush MLS during a World Cup year, as revenues are certainly going to go WAY up this season from 2009 in all markets. Considering the economy we’ve gone through in 2008-2009 and what could be a great year for American Soccer, both sides just have way to much to lose.

Here is the deal: If the players go on strike, I will ask for my season ticket money back. I might buy one or two tickets to see the scrub amateurs bat the ball back and forth, but I am not shelling out Section 106 money to watch a pick-up game.

The only leverage the players have right now will only serve to kill their own careers. Take the deal on the table, and amend the contract to 2 years. Once 3 more teams are in place with stadiums to fill, you’ll have far more to worry ownership with.

BTW, Buzz, yes, only 143 players honored the NASL strike. History lesson here: http://www.kenn.com/the_blog/?p=2838 (Shameless plug)