klinsmann's last tourney?

[Unregistered]

I'm talking about men's (or women's as well) pro clubs, not youth teams, so I'm not sure what the TA has to do with it.

(Of course, in Europe, having adult pro teams running youth systems--and receiving compensation for players they develop who play pro elsewhere, is also part of the system--many here seem outraged that the Timbers are involved in youth soccer).

There are, of course, plenty of high-quality competitive adult teams around--but the vast majority of those are not "professional" in the sense that the players are deriving an income from play. And even things like T2 or the U23s often have a hard time giving away tickets, whereas the Hillsboro Hops are (AFAIK) a financially-sound operation, and would likely remain so even if a MLB or AAA team were to move to Portland.

(It also hurts the U23s that they play many of their home games at THPRD, which is an alcohol-free facility. Overpriced beer and rowdy fans are part of the formula that makes minor-league sports work, after all...)

Different folks have different issues with the Timbers (some people just don't like them); but their "almost free" academies is not the same thing is entering pay-to-play (which they have done in a big way). 1 is about player development, 1 is about making $.

Alliance makes it harder in those markets (but not impossible) because those youth clubs have some of the infrastructure and fanbase to make local clubs viable; a chunk of the soccer population in those markets is closed-off from independent clubs at the moment.

[Unregistered]

Always thought the best way for women's pro soccer to grow would be small pro sports starved markets. PDX is a perfect example, Also Tucson, Vegas, Boise. Maybe the other pro clubs could grow out of the high school stadiums.

Sorry to take these back to the girls on you.

[Unregistered]

Different folks have different issues with the Timbers (some people just don't like them); but their "almost free" academies is not the same thing is entering pay-to-play (which they have done in a big way). 1 is about player development, 1 is about making $.

Alliance makes it harder in those markets (but not impossible) because those youth clubs have some of the infrastructure and fanbase to make local clubs viable; a chunk of the soccer population in those markets is closed-off from independent clubs at the moment.

How much money do you think the Timbers are making out of the TA clubs? I can't imagine that this is helping Merritt Paulsen's bottom line much--is it about collecting marketing fees, or about getting the TA clubs to be a bit more development-focused and less win-focused?

[Unregistered]

How much money do you think the Timbers are making out of the TA clubs? I can't imagine that this is helping Merritt Paulsen's bottom line much--is it about collecting marketing fees, or about getting the TA clubs to be a bit more development-focused and less win-focused?

No idea what they are making off individual Alliance clubs (imagine some % of $ off each jersey sale, but don't know). European clubs charge $60k for affiliations.

I don't think these alliances (Timbers or European) are about development; think they are about $.

They would have to be idiots not to be making a solid profit off of running leagues and state cup; OPL ran at a pretty substantial surplus at lower price.

However, if there goal is for Westside and Eastside to win less, they are succeeding. ( :

[Unregistered]

U-s-a
u-s-a
u-s-a!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

U-s-a
u-s-a
u-s-a!!!!!!

It's USA men's soccer.... Snoozzzzzeee

Stadium was only 2/3rds full. Yea we beat Ecuador!!!!!

[Unregistered]

It's USA men's soccer.... Snoozzzzzeee

Stadium was only 2/3rds full. Yea we beat Ecuador!!!!!

Right. Cause you prefer underwater soccer to actual soccer! What a nutjob

[Unregistered]

It's USA men's soccer.... Snoozzzzzeee

Stadium was only 2/3rds full. Yea we beat Ecuador!!!!!

See, the unpopular birth year mandate is already reaping wins for the USMNT. Go USA!

[Unregistered]

USA over Messi next

[Unregistered]

Right. Cause you prefer underwater soccer to actual soccer! What a nutjob

I prefer events that matter and we are good at. 2/3rds full stadium no fly over at national anthem and I bet TV views was abysmal. No one really cares about us beating Ecuador. US Soccer Guy made it sound like a watershed moment for US Soccer. To the sports viewing audience in the US it was a bore. If they can beat Argentina then we have somthing, but that is very unlikely.
After Tuesday you can all look around and start blaming the coach and the fact that we aren't Europe again and our pay to play system. Maybe Bernie Sanders could take over US Soccer to make all you Whimpy US Soccer guys happy.
For me ill stick with the Chick's. They win games that matter.

[Unregistered]

47,322 at Clink last night, not bad. Go USA!

[Unregistered]

47,322 at Clink last night, not bad. Go USA!

USA is #1! Go USA!

[Unregistered]

USA is #1! Go USA!

Did you see how terribly USA played last night? Play a best 2 of 3 or 3 of 5 series and USA gets hammered by Ecuador.

[Unregistered]

Did you see how terribly USA played last night? Play a best 2 of 3 or 3 of 5 series and USA gets hammered by Ecuador.

The match is over. USA won!

[Unregistered]

The match is over. USA won!

Won just like most Timbers Alliance teams in Oregon. Bootball Thugball.