How has Seattle sustained such interest in MLS? I’m so used to teams joining the league, getting a bunch of sellouts and then slowly working their way down the attendance table until they are about half-full. The Sounders have done an amazing job countering that. Beyond “Seattle” what’s the way that the ownership group has done it and what could other teams in major metros learn from them?
Lifelong Sounders fan here (since the 1970s NASL days).... It's an interesting question. I think the organization has been extraordinarily "fan-centric"--which includes voting on the team name (everyone wrote in "Sounders" in a nod to the past, and the club listened) and giving the supporters an actual vote on whether the GM keeps his job or not (this happens every four years or so--I've never taken part). They have built a very family-friendly culture in a city where every single kid starts playing soccer at age 5 or 6 (and often younger). They have consistently employed club legends like Kasey Keller and Steve Zakuani on the local radio and TV broadcasts (and Keller grew up in nearby Lacey, which is a double-win). And they have been very, very good at signing impactful free agents and DPs, such as Keller, Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Jordan Morris (also a local product), Lodeiro, Ruidiaz, etc. etc. Schmetzer is a Sounders lifer, which gives him even more love and credibility from the fanbase. Even Cristian Roldan is a local product in that he played at the UW (and they brought in his brother Alex, adding to the "family" feel). Just an amazing run of smart moves, and now it's paying huge dividends. We couldn't be happier.
Awesome. As a NYer, it’s amazing how both NYCFC and RBNY have been completely been unable to sustain anything like that. Both teams have their fans, and both have had some terrific moments, but when I watch Seattle on TV, it’s just a different level. I’m curious to see what happens in Atlanta which I think is currently at an inflection point. All signs were that they would be the next Seattle, but now I’m not so sure.
How has Seattle sustained such interest in MLS? I’m so used to teams joining the league, getting a bunch of sellouts and then slowly working their way down the attendance table until they are about half-full. The Sounders have done an amazing job countering that. Beyond “Seattle” what’s the way that the ownership group has done it and what could other teams in major metros learn from them?
Lifelong Sounders fan here (since the 1970s NASL days).... It's an interesting question. I think the organization has been extraordinarily "fan-centric"--which includes voting on the team name (everyone wrote in "Sounders" in a nod to the past, and the club listened) and giving the supporters an actual vote on whether the GM keeps his job or not (this happens every four years or so--I've never taken part). They have built a very family-friendly culture in a city where every single kid starts playing soccer at age 5 or 6 (and often younger). They have consistently employed club legends like Kasey Keller and Steve Zakuani on the local radio and TV broadcasts (and Keller grew up in nearby Lacey, which is a double-win). And they have been very, very good at signing impactful free agents and DPs, such as Keller, Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Jordan Morris (also a local product), Lodeiro, Ruidiaz, etc. etc. Schmetzer is a Sounders lifer, which gives him even more love and credibility from the fanbase. Even Cristian Roldan is a local product in that he played at the UW (and they brought in his brother Alex, adding to the "family" feel). Just an amazing run of smart moves, and now it's paying huge dividends. We couldn't be happier.
Awesome. As a NYer, it’s amazing how both NYCFC and RBNY have been completely been unable to sustain anything like that. Both teams have their fans, and both have had some terrific moments, but when I watch Seattle on TV, it’s just a different level. I’m curious to see what happens in Atlanta which I think is currently at an inflection point. All signs were that they would be the next Seattle, but now I’m not so sure.