ypsituckyboy

January 31st, 2017 at 2:57 PM ^

That jail has to be one of the biggest urban planning disasters ever. "Hey, we've got a nice little area that seems to be primed for growth. Let's put a monstrosity of a jail right in a key location! We got sign off from everyone too!"

For as maligned as many old rich dudes are for their dealings with stadiums (deservedly so in many cases), this is one where they could possibly rectify a colossal error.

Joined: 06/22/2009

MGoPoints: 30512

Gobgoblue

January 31st, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

"Detroit" before MLS to avoid the negs from people who are too busy to click on a thread to find out what it's about, but not busy enough to leave without comment.

Joined: 07/07/2012

MGoPoints: 21108

BigPuppy4

January 31st, 2017 at 2:48 PM ^

From what I have heard, DCFC wants nothing to do with the team if they aren't included in all of the planning as well as able to bring their style of fandom (smoke, swearing, etc.) with them. They view the Detroit MLS team as a "corporate team" rather than what they have built from the ground up. If Gilbert and Gores can strike a balance between the "coporate" structure that the MLS wants with the "grassroots" fandom of the DCFC, they could have an extremely successful team in the city. In my head, I see it being much like the Portland Timbers.

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MGoPoints: 670

truferblue22

January 31st, 2017 at 3:30 PM ^

DCFC fans are ridiculously over-the-top hipster douchebags who will never get over themselves. Like Brian said, there are soccer fans in Detroit who will allow this team to work. DCFC fans can carry-on watching 4th tier soccer and throwing smokebombs and acting tough, while the rest of us enjoy the highest level of soccer available in this country. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 13363

SAMgO

January 31st, 2017 at 3:31 PM ^

Think Brian put it well about a month ago:

"Many MLS environments are excellent and homegrown because the league was able to establish a détente with existing fans. The league has done a terrific job of crossing over from Family Fun to actually fun environments in Toronto, Seattle, and Portland.

The same can happen in Detroit, because the DCFC hardcore are not 1) particularly numerous and 2) the only soccer fans in the city. If DCFC wants to finish out of the playoff slots in the NPSL because MLS would frown on them saying "fuck" 300 times in a 90 minute match, that's their prerogative. It should have no impact on MLS's decision to come to Detroit or not. There's no reason the two teams can't coexist since they serve different markets. One will draw the interest of soccer fans; the other will draw the interest of people who like to act tough and watch colored smoke instead of soccer."

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MGoPoints: 18745

BigPuppy4

January 31st, 2017 at 4:25 PM ^

I moved from Portland to Orlando this past summer, so I have seen both sides of the coin with the respective teams. Timbers games are some of the most fun sporting events that I have ever been to. Smoke isn't excessive (after Timbers goals), chants and songs are original to the US, and it is an all around great amosphere whether you are 5, 25, or 55 years old. Orlando on the other hand couldn't be any more boring. The supports section is large, but no one knows the chants or the songs, and the few that people know are recycled from the USMNT. It just doesn't feel authentic, which is what any new team needs to thrive. I have also heard horror stories from teams/supporters (DC and San Jose) where the MLS has completely removed what makes the sport fun from the stands so that only families will come.

I would love to see the passion that is reflected in the other Detroit teams come out for the new MLS team so that I have a good excuse to fly up for a game.

Joined: 03/21/2013

MGoPoints: 670

stephenrjking

January 31st, 2017 at 6:11 PM ^

I've never been a huge MLS fan, but I've sampled it and attended games and the environments have taken some work to get right.

So one slow evening I was watching something else, saw a plug for a Timbers game (I think it was against Seattle, so it's a highlight game) and watched a bit.

And the environment made the game for me. It "felt big." It was really important to the people there, and that made me believe that it was a worthwhile game to watch. A huuuuuge selling point. What MLS is doing in the northwest is tremendous.

As for DCFC or whatever they're called, I echo those who say "get over themselves." It's a classic example of a small-pond mentality, where a small fish wants to control their little fiefdom at the expense of the larger sport. Small-time sports have this problem a lot, for whatever reason. The NHL has the worst labor history of the major sports, Indycar took a solid niche in the 90s and eviscerated it, college hockey suicidally puts regionals in empty arenas, a small fan group in Detroit gets all huffy that there might be a top-tier domestic team in their own city that could jeopardize their monopoly on fandom, etc.

It's all the same.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144019

Paps

January 31st, 2017 at 2:20 PM ^

My city (Atlanta) just added and is about to kick off their inaugural MLS season.  Following the building of the team from nothing, a new stadium, and an engaged front office has been exicting for me - and I can speak for the rest of Atlanta when I say - for everyone (to the tune of 28,000 out of 30,000 season tickets already sold).  

 

There is a market, I think in Detroit for an MLS team.  The thing I have figured out is that stadium location is probably the most important thing for any new team. I don't know where the Wayne County jail is locacted compared to the other stadiums in the area, but I hope it's a good location

Joined: 09/29/2012

MGoPoints: 2239

Bigku22

January 31st, 2017 at 7:55 PM ^

Seriously. It will be great for the city, especially to get rid of the jail site disaster. But as a hardcore soccer fan, the MLS product is pretty trash. So many world leagues are available for TV consumption these days there's no reason to force yourself to watch MLS. 

The game is slow, the touches are poor, the overall talent level is sub-par. Hard to watch Chelsea vs Man City, or Barca vs Madrid, then turn on Columbus vs DC United. It's like watching a different game. 

Joined: 05/23/2013

MGoPoints: 3019

HarBooYa

January 31st, 2017 at 2:30 PM ^

I played football but love soccer now too. Love Detroit but just don't think they'd have enough ongoing support (particularly if they suck) to maintain a team. Be interesting to see how Minny does for comparison.



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Blue Balls Afire

January 31st, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^

I'm a convert.  I used to despise Soccer because I thought it was boring--0-0 matches, and all that.  I still can't stand the fake-injury diving, but it is fun to watch and the passion for it is infectious.  Detroit MLS?  Yes, please.

Joined: 12/17/2013

MGoPoints: 8142

uncle leo

January 31st, 2017 at 2:45 PM ^

0-0 draws are automatically equated to boring, but 6-3, 10-7 contests in football are considered "defensive battles."

I've watched plenty of football games that are 6-3, 10-7 etc... but those are considered "defensive battles" and I've had to shake myself to stay awake. I've also seen games that are 28-21 and are some of the sloppiest, hard-to-watch games imaginable. 

Yeah, soccer matches involve a lot more build-up play, but the payoff is incredibly impactful. 

But one of the most important factors is that there are no freaking commercials. Today's football is almost impossible to watch from the stoppages.

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34636

Hab

January 31st, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^

Your point about 0-0 is spot on.  I have grown up playing and watching soccer, but there is something about relying on a formation to frustrate your opponent who doesn't have the players to break it down that seems a waste.

On the other hand, ther e is a reason I follow a team that were once known as "The Entertainers" You may suffer through some 0-0 battles, but you might find yourself in for a game like this: Howay 5-0... I could watch that last goal again and again...

Joined: 01/02/2015

MGoPoints: 39676

TrueBlue2003

January 31st, 2017 at 6:06 PM ^

a 10-7 football game is usually only called a "defensive battle" in a positive way if there were a lot of great defensive plays keeping the score down as opposed to just poor offense.  

Similar with soccer.  If the pace of play is quick and there are a decent number of shots on goal with great saves, a 0-0 game is exciting.  But soccer, more than any other sport (except hockey maybe), makes it possible for an inferior team to sit back, slow the pace of play, pack the defensive side of the field and try to walk away with a point.  I love soccer but don't love that those games can and do happen sometimes. 

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MGoPoints: 38075

ih8losing

January 31st, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^

The stadium would be amazing but beyond having an MLS team in Detroit, it would be an absolute disgrace for that space to end up being the prison they planned. Talk about awful land use



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4yearsofhoke

January 31st, 2017 at 2:58 PM ^

DCFC has a cool logo. If an MLS team comes to the D, they should try to copy it/buy the logo from them.

Pretty sure DCFC can't have rights to a public statute's "image."

Joined: 12/19/2015

MGoPoints: 2256

Skip.Carey

January 31st, 2017 at 3:04 PM ^

I love the idea. Fell in love with Futbol while overseas and hate that I follow Toronto FC(because I won't ever root for anything Columbus). I will have season tickets if this goes through.

Joined: 12/12/2012

MGoPoints: 102

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

January 31st, 2017 at 3:22 PM ^

I've been wanting one of these for a long time.  And now that Detroit City FC is taken for a name, I suggest Detroit Renaissance FC.

Also, kill the jail.  I was really hoping some of these nasty winters we had would render it unusable and force a complete teardown if they wanted to build on that spot.  That seems to not be the case, unfortunately.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586