Does Kenyon Ever Get It Right?
Great, so Chelsea will be playing MLS newcomers the Sounders on July 18th in a pre-season friendly. Let’s all bloody jump for joy as Peter Kenyon excels himself again.
This season’s pre-season saw our players dragged across China, Malaysia and Moscow for the Railways Cup and whilst at the time I assumed the press were having a dig at the effect this would have on us, in hindsight, they were probably right.
And yet Gollum, in his wisdom has already set up a trip to Seattle ahead of next season because clearly, a trip to America against MLS newcomers is exactly what we need to prepare us for another gruelling Premier League season.
Patting himself on the back whilst completely disregarding the fact that bread and butter supporters wouldn’t mind seeing the odd pre-season game, Gollum says “We are delighted to be opening our pre-season preparations in Seattle. It is a fantastic city and we have great memories of our time there in the summer of 2004 which went on to be a great season for us.”
Which is all well and good mate, but that was a bloody long time ago and we’re still flogging half those players to death!
Filed under: Rants
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Hey hey hey! I almost wet myself yesterday when I heard this news. I’m planning on going to this game since it’s only a 2 hour flight for me! While I’d love to see a game at the Bridge, this is much more monetarily practical.
I hope I can get tickets!
However, this game should be nothing more than a practice since an expansion MLS team shouldn’t pose much of a threat. =)
The game is being broadcast on ESPN2 also, so it’ll be nice to see them on a big network for something other than the CL.
He’s pleased someone then Spektral
Do you not understand that these games are to build the global brand of the club and sell more merchandise, that brings in revenue, that is spent on players???
The sponsers Addidas and Samsung ( who pay multi millions a year) want exposure in the USA.
Roman – so why play against newcomers? Surely if its all about money Kenyon could’ve picked a slightly more high profile club to achieve that?
Besides, what evidence do we have that the pre-season games Gollum patted himself on the back for created revenue this season? We’ve done nothing but sell players since, so he couldnt have generated that much.
i agree with the need of exposure in the U.S, the game is beginning to pick viewership as seen with the ratings for the Chelsea Liverpool game on FOX, but the problem is their own league right now is utter crap compared to the European leagues and other major sports in America..
At the same time Chelsea D is absolutely right what does this do to our prestige when we go and play a NEW TEAM in an almost new league, atleast play their champs or damn organize a match between two EPL or champion league contenders in America!
how many people would love to see a pre season friendly between AC Milan and Chelsea, Barcelona and Chelsea dare i say even Man United and Chelsea, their ownership is American they have roots in American sports surly they could make something happen and it wouldn’t hurt Man united to be exposed in America either and it sure wont hurt the sport to have the richest country in the world taking an interest. Trust me with the current problems in the world economy i don’t see a team waving away the extra profit it would bring.
We played in Seattle in 2004/5 and went on to win prem, so maybe its superstition or maybe its because they sold out in the Stadium last time or maybe its because its not as hot there as California, or maybe they are trying to get Microsoft sponsorship .
As our losses were £20 million less despite huge payouts to coaching staff various I would suggest things financially are going in the right direction.
Whatever, I’m just not sure what your arguement is, you think Kenyon picked this game rather than Kingstonians because he didn’t know where it was or just to stop you going to it .
There would be a LOT more money involved if Chelsea played another European powerhouse. I’d also much rather see that game then a game with an MLS team.
I think I read that Qwest Field (Seattle’s stadium) is going to be expanded for the match. It normally holds 24k for MLS games, but can be expanded to 67k.
I wonder how much Chelsea could draw if they played Barca or another top Euro team in a stadium with 90k seats.
Roman – its hardly surprising when the figures came out they showed our losses were down considering the players we’ve sold.
And my point is, if Peter Kenyon was doing such a bloody great job maybe we’d be playing someone slightly more high profile than an MLS side most Chelsea supporters have never heard of.
None of the players we have sold recently were in last years figures!!!!!!
I’m pretty sure we won’t be going to the USA to play just one game either!!!!
As to whether Kenyon is doing a good job would depend on what his boss, the owner of the club, asked him to do I would have thought.
chelsea d, seattle actually have a very big fanbase. their team, the sounders, are new to the MLS but have been around much longer than that in a lower league (yes there are lower leagues in the US).
roman, adidas and samsung already have huge exposure in the US so they have no role in the Blues trip to the states.
and Spektral, where are you getting your tickets??? because i live in california and would totally go up to washington for a chance to see the Blues!
I’m sure the Sounders’ website and/or mlsnet.com will have them for sale.
The first date I think they’ll be available is March 2nd because that’s the first day single game tickets are available.
Chelsea and the Sounders have more history than the game in 2004. Chelsea played the Sounders of the former NASL in the Kingdome in Seattle in 1977 and also beat a group of local amateurs here in 1967.
The Sounders also have a large fanbase even though they have yet to play their first game athome here in the northwest. Nearly 20,000 season tickets have been sold to date. That would put the Sounders at 3rd in the league in attendence based on last years records. Qwest Field will hold 24,500 for MLS games but will be expanded to 67,000 to meet ticket demands. Not as large as many stadiums in Europe but that’s 33,000 more than any home game at Stamford Bridge.
Although they area new team, they have a solid squad and a core of veteran players on their side; Kasey Keller in goal, Freddie Ljunjberg, Sebastien Le Toux, last years USL (Sounders former league) MVP, and coach Sigi Schmid, (3 NCAA national chamipionships with UCLA, former US Men’s national team assistant, and last years MLS Cup winner).
Would Chelsea make more money playing a big name team in Europe? Yes. Is it a long way to travel to play an exhibition before the season? Yes, but no further than most of these players will travel anyways during the offseason for holiday. At least football will be the focus of their trip here.
As a Chelsea supporter and a new Sounders Supporter, (I live 30 minutes from Qwest) I am more than excited to see my 2 teams battle it out this summer here in Seattle!
MAC7024 dont forget schmid also won the MLS cup with another team i believe it was the galaxy in 2002 and the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2001.
and a fun little side note about our new manager; Guus Hiddink played for the San Jose Earthquakes in 1977, when they were a team in the defunct North American Soccer League. that year the SJ Earthquakes were the Southern division champions and runners up to the NASL championship.