Comments on: Man Utd’s Asian Focus Is Bad News for U.S.

By: The Gaffer

The Gaffer — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:15:00 +0000

Johnny on the Spot,

Excellent questions. Chelsea fans may disagree with me, but I'm not entirely convinced that their tour of the States is doing much to expand their brand Stateside. California, yes. The rest of the country, no.

You do raise an excellent point in that clubs like Everton and Aston Villa may have better luck expanding their fan base in the States than the other sides who are heading to Asia.

I can't foresee tons of fans becoming Villa or Everton fans overnight, but they'll definitely win some hearts and minds of soccer fans Stateside if they put in convincing performances.

Reading could build a big fan base in America. They already are appreciated by many expats and Americans living Stateside.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:31:00 +0000

There’s still plenty of room for others. The profusion of purpose-built grounds, the fact that English is the first language of choice hereabouts, the relatively short and easy trip and the pound-to-dollar exchange rate (a/k/a King George’s Revenge) all work in its favor, both for fans in the States and traveling support.

Reading had to strike while the iron was hot, with Seol in their squad. They’ve yet to pay us a visit but, for the reasons spelled out above, should be booking next summer now if they haven’t already.

And besides –you’ve paid a hundred bucks to sit with 65,000 and see United or Bayern or Milan in a game that doesn’t matter one time, and you’ve done it a thousand. Tough to schedule summer friendlies worth the money with MLS in-season I know, but in any case some new blood would do all some good.

By: Johnny on the Spot

Johnny on the Spot — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:12:00 +0000

Do you think this opens the doors for other teams to market their brand, such as with Everton or Villa this year. Or do you think it means the Chelsea brand will continue to grow?