101316_usmnt_isi_usmnttq10111693 Tony Quinn/isiphotos.com
10.13.16

ASN Morning Read: Where Are All The Fans?

Does the United States men's national team have a friendly attendance problem? Perhaps; Mix offers to mix it up with a former women's national team start; a few thoughts about Tuesday night's draw.
BY Noah Davis Posted
October 13, 2016
4:10 AM
  • Makes you think: "The USA-New Zealand match drew only 9,012 fans, the lowest ever for a men's national team match at Washington's RFK Stadium. It was also the sixth straight U.S. home friendly game to draw fewer than 10,000 fans. The previous record in the modern era for the longest string of friendly crowds under 10,000 was five in 1993 when the USA barnstormed under Bora Milutinovic and played everyone (Cayman Islands) and everywhere (Bethlehem, Pa., and High Point, N.C.) in preparation for the 1994 World Cup at home. The drop in support follows a strong run of big crowds. The previous 13 home friendlies in 2014 and 2015 averaged 33,918 fans."

  • 4 Thoughts on the U.S.' Drab Draw with New Zealand

  • This is a good piece about getting international players to fit into the Major League Soccer landscape: "Arguably the acquisition of the 2016 season has been Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, with his creativity sparking a late season revival that recently saw the team move into the playoff positions for the first time all season. But the targeting of Lodeiro went well beyond his ability on the field. He fit a profile designed to increase the odds of success for both club and player."

  • Being a national team manager would be very easy and also very hard: "What happens over the next few weeks will play a significant role in how Klinsmann prepares for Mexico and Costa Rica. He said following Tuesday’s tie that he still needed to choose 'what system we want to play,' against El Tri. That could determine whether Kljestan, for example, gets the chance to continue his international resurgence. Or perhaps Kljestan can determine that for Klinsmann with a strong few weeks. Injuries and health issues facing the likes of Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones demonstrate how little is in a national team manager’s control. What this camp did for Klinsmann was provide additional options. That can make things complicated, but he said it's a good problem to have."

  • Would watch:

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