At its infancy, it was the only time the stands would be packed. People would be excited to see big international sides visit their cities, yet now it feels just the opposite. Since MLS has grown to be a self sustaining league in terms of quality and attendance, the role of the midseason friendly has switched.
Midseason friendlies have been at the center of debate between supporters of MLS clubs and the club's management for a couple of years now. The supporters ask extremely valid questions, such as; Is it worth putting out your players midweek in between two important MLS matches? Is the money and oversees exposure that follows these matches that important? But guess what MLS fans, unless you support the Portland Timbers (due to their great owner Merritt Paulson), there is a good chance your club owner doesn't care about your concerns.
Two fan bases had the friendly dilemma in the past week, and the results of the two situations clearly mark a trend in supporters group circles. Both the Emerald City Supporters and mostly the entire South Ward decided to not show up to their respective friendly match.
While the Emerald City Supporters (or ECS for short) made it extremely clear on their website that it was not a protest saying, "This is not a protest," it is quite clear that giving away the 50 seats they own in the south end of CenturyLink Field marks as much controversy as a protest would.
The South Ward, on the other hand, is known for protesting and not showing up for midseason friendlies, and just like last year against Chelsea, the supporters of the MetroStars did not show up last Wednesday for their "home" match against Club America. I put home in quotations because of the 20,000 people inside Red Bull Arena, maybe 5% were supporting New York.
Let me make it clear, I do understand why supporters don't want to show up for these matches. We all know that they are a money grab from the owners, usually having to pay full price, and for the most part, none of the starters get on the field. But guess what, there is an argument as to why coming to the match and treating it as a normal match in terms of atmosphere may be important.
In Seattle's case, the ECS have created a hype machine around the club, the stadium, and the match-day atmosphere. In the buildup, to their trip to Seattle, West Ham United players were quick to mention that they were extremely excited to play at CenturyLink Field, as they told WHUFC.com.
"On the Sounders, [Mark] Noble is relishing the prospect of playing in front of 50,000-plus fans in a soccer-mad part of the United States.' We know they’re the best-supported team in the MLS and we’re looking forward to the atmosphere and I’m sure there will be a lot of fans down there. We’re looking forward to getting our first game under our belts and I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience.'"
The atmosphere inside CenturyLink Field last Wednesday night for the friendly was anything but something to be relishing about. The famous south end where the ECS usually stand and sing for 90 minutes was barren and eerily empty. No capo stands, no amplifiers, no flags, and no supporters. I'll give credit where credit is due, those Sounders supporters that tried to get the call and repeat chants to stick deserve praise, but it was clear that a match in where 36,000 people attend sounded like a ghost town.
Back to Mark Noble for a second. I'm sure Seattle supporters will nudge aside the impact of not showing up has had on his life, but here's the thing Seattle; you are not Los Angeles. The same goes to you Red Bulls fans, as much as you hate to hear it, Red Bull Arena is not in New York. These type of friendlies may not mean a whole lot to anyone involved, but they do leave an impression. An impression that could have an effect on future player recruitment and international observers. Mark Noble may be smart enough to know that the "subdued" atmosphere at CenturyLink is not the norm, but I'm not sure how many other players and international fans know. When you don't have the location, you have to try your very best to make up for it.
Here's my point; impressions count. If it was a player or fans' first time playing or watching a match against an MLS side in their home stadium they would not have been impressed. For a league that is desperately trying to find its footing on the international scale, friendlies may be a small part in grasping the international audience.
For the Hammers supporters who stayed up all night to watch West Ham play their first preseason match in the Pacific Northwest, maybe a better atmosphere and visual of the match may have given them a second team or a reason to watch some MLS matches on Sky Sports. For those local Club America supporters in the Tristate area that never go to Red Bulls matches, this was a chance to show them an experience for them to come back.
So while yes, friendlies may be a bit costly and an unnecessary distraction in the middle of the season, they may have some affect on how the outside world looks at MLS and it's clubs. Also, don't forget, it is still your team in your city playing. Even if it is a friendly, it is a bit disappointing to not see the supporters groups going to show their support for the younger players and those first team players who do participate.
