Training camp is upon us.  I don't have any good reports of how things are going and who looks good, and haven't been able to break free from work to go watch.  I think our first training match will tell us a lot.  Until we see it on the pitch we can't say much else. 

A couple of concerns:

• Training in Spain-What happened to training with Real Madrid in Spain?  Why is that not happening?  Is this evidence of a possible break with them similar to what has been rumored to have occurred with Boca Juniors?  What are the implications of this if true?  Is there another explanation as to why the team is not training in Spain?  I understand that they are going to train in Argentina, but to me, Spain with Real Madrid seems a much better option than Argentina with Rosario or someone other than either Boca or River. 
  
• Loans-With all these international players coming in on trial, how many are available for more than just a possible loan deal?  Loans are great for rounding out your team in possible temporary weak spots, but they are not a long-term solution.  Again, this comes back to having a core of players who stay together for a long time.  Now, if these loans work into buying those players on the transfer market, things are good.  I guess we'll have to see what happens with this. 
  
• Fan apathy-Will fans keep coming back to see a team that sucks?  I hope that the losing trend reverses, but if not, then what?  Last year they had a boost in season ticket sales because of the Adu effect, what will drive them this year?  A new stadium will only go so far.  I certainly hope that the joke does not turn into why is the grass always green at RSL?  Because they keep putting shit on the pitch.  I really don't want that said. 
  
• Ticket Prices-I'm really scared to see what happens with ticket prices in the new stadium.  Will this be a case of sticker shock?  I have the idea that good seats are going to be like at a Jazz game, mostly reserved for corporate sponsors and those who can afford them as a status symbol. 
  
• Marketing-Are we going to finally see some outreach to the Hispanic community?  Also, are they going to go for marketing to a group that is NOT families and youth soccer teams?  I'm not saying they should not be marketed to, but there are other people in the community who have the money to come to a game.  In fact, as was demonstrated when the original Star Trek was canceled, the 20-35-year-old, single male demographic has the most disposable income of any other demographic and that is the one demographic you need to target above all else and you ignore that group at your peril.  The others seem to be larger groups in terms of numbers, but really marketing isn't about how large a group is, it's about selling your product to those who have the money to pay for it. 
  

Ok those are some thoughts I have had kicking around.  Hopefully the FO demonstrates improved competence over the last few years and we see improvements.  I think that you can learn a lot from other sports even.  For example, why are there teams that always seem to be bad (Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Atlanta Hawks for example) and ones who always seem to be good (Atlanta Braves, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, San Antonio Spurs,and others).  The NFL is designed so that there is parity across the board.  Why then are the New England Patriots so successful every year?  The simple answer is that success starts from the top.  Bob Kraft is a great owner (look at his other team, the Revs too).  He lets the football people run the team but has established an environment where everyone is accountable for their job, where everything is done with an eye to success, where there is an expectation of excellence.  I think it would be wise for RSL to emulate what the Patriots exemplify because it in the last three years it does not seem that there is that expectation of success.  I do not doubt that Kraft would fire "The Hoodie" if he went 2-14. 

        

 

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