I saw this photo on the Columbus Dispatch's soccer blog and it instantly struck me. You know how His Ginger Majesty, the new guys up in Seattle and The Don are always talking about clubs becoming global brands? I think a photo of an ultra climbing the fence at La Bombonera in a Crew jersey is the unlikely embodiment of that.
This is the side of signing DP's and international players that doesn't get talked about much. You see Blanco can put butts in seats and Becks can sell more merch than KISS, but they also make people outside the US aware that the league and it's clubs exist. Take my landscaper Juilan for instance. A true tapatio, the guy is a die hard Chivas fan...but now follows the Fire as well because of the presence of Mr. White.
Traditionally speaking, it's as unlikely to see a Chivas supporter rooting for an ex-Club America player as it is to see a Crew kit in Buenos Aires, but maybe not for much longer. We're making inroads but there is still a long ride ahead...buckle up.
7 comments:
It's a Schelotto jersey. Not surprising at all to see that from a Boca fan.
Are they trying to get into RFK or escape?
gs,
Recommend you re-read SF's post. The point is not that anyone is surprised by a Scholotto Jersey in Argentina, the point is that the strategy behind the global branding of MLS is working.
We should be more surprised if an occasional Crew/DC/KC/etc. jersey DIDN'T pop up in B.A., but I, for one, appreciate the encounter with hard evidence that MLS is headed in the right direction.
This is the track MLS should stay on. I like having Beckham on the Galaxy because he's a great player. But as a whole, the lig doesn't need aging Euros. It needs the South American stars and young talent that will truly make the sport grow in America.
On the other hand, it's only a small step from there for people like Jim Rome to be covertly racist in saying soccer is un-American.
actually that dude was my brother's building superintendent in Buenos Aires when he studied abroad this past fall. we brought him that very jersey when we visited over the holidays to thank him for taking my bro to the games (and keeping him from getting killed to boot...).
but still, pretty cool.
Amazing picture, I rarely see MLS jerseys in NY but they are in Argentina? ha.
zjkahn.blogspot.com
a picture of Julio and I
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