tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709670.post112473505611259230..comments2023-08-29T07:03:32.042-04:00Comments on Ramblings of a Soccer Junky: Is it Real-ly necessary?Eric PZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453533498683848921noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709670.post-1124807706771866992005-08-23T09:35:00.000-05:002005-08-23T09:35:00.000-05:00I thought the whole point of a cup was the one-and...I thought the whole point of a cup was the one-and-out nature of the competition. While I get the importance of the Real match, it'll be a shame that the top players will miss their Cup matches. If the league doesn't care about the cup, then why should we?Mr. Fishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06237702791779703169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709670.post-1124804380424033322005-08-23T08:39:00.000-05:002005-08-23T08:39:00.000-05:00What makes the Real Madrid match more important? ...What makes the Real Madrid match more important? It's a meaningless friendly. I'm sorry, but it counts for nothing and even if the MLS XI win, it still doesn't prove anything.<BR/><BR/>The FA Cup draws good crowds most of the time, you may be thinking of the League/Milk/Coke Cup which usually gets poorer attendance even in the later rounds. But still, the reason for poor attendance here has nothing to do with the facilities or the competition, it's the way the league and the USSF treat the competition. The players want to win...the coaches see it as an oppertunity. it's the head-honchos who make it the way it is. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and there's no way the Open Cup will be played over two-legs anytime in the near future...the schedule is already too crowded. Too many matches (MLS, WCQ, Cup and numerous meaningless friendlys) in too short a period of time. Heck, they are reducing the number of playoff games as it is.Eric PZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453533498683848921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709670.post-1124785957381362782005-08-23T03:32:00.000-05:002005-08-23T03:32:00.000-05:00In the long run, I believe the Real Madrid game is...In the long run, I believe the Real Madrid game is more important.scaryicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860444733243055914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5709670.post-1124769433506735342005-08-22T22:57:00.000-05:002005-08-22T22:57:00.000-05:00Cup competitions always play second fiddle in ever...Cup competitions always play second fiddle in every league though. The only difference is that it's playing second fiddle to an international friendly as opposed to domestic fixtures.<BR/><BR/>I mean besides the FA Cup semi-final and final, what actually draws good attendance in England cup-wise? There are some matches played by Premiership teams that are played in front of MLS size crowds in the cups.<BR/><BR/>Now the UEFA Cup and Champions League, that's a different can of worms.<BR/><BR/>The Open Cup has a lot worse issues than this MLS select match - for example having to play at non-league venues. Of course that's an SSS problem and will hopefully be remedied. But until the matches are played at actual stadiums (and preferrably in two legs) the U.S. Open Cup will never garner respect.incendiarymindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11786483672062605814noreply@blogger.com