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(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

Isn't that what a team forum is for?

(05-30-2018 06:51 AM)bearcatdp Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

Isn't that what a team forum is for?

Bellyaching about FC Cincinnati. That on top of an ESPN talking head - a former Crew player - disgruntled that MLS is “replacing” the Crew without addressing the Crew.

I guess if we are going to experience an eternity of Columbus attitude, I’d rather experience it from a Columbus without MLS.

Put a team in Detroit and they can be our rival,

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

Under what obligation do residents of Cincinnati and/or FC Cincinnati fans have to the Columbus Crew? I didn't see people in Columbus assisting UC in their numerous attempts to get into the P5 the past 4-5 years. Did a bunch of OSU fans don UC gear and hop on a bus to fill up Nippert? Did they donate cash to our athletic department? Did they even watch our games on TV (particularly if they had a metered TV) to drive up our TV ratings?

Eff em.

I think MLS would be more fun with the Crew still there, but I won't lose a second of sleep about them losing their team either. Selfishly I just like the idea of having a rival less than 2 hours away.

(05-30-2018 10:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

Under what obligation do residents of Cincinnati and/or FC Cincinnati fans have to the Columbus Crew? I didn't see people in Columbus assisting UC in their numerous attempts to get into the P5 the past 4-5 years. Did a bunch of OSU fans don UC gear and hop on a bus to fill up Nippert? Did they donate cash to our athletic department? Did they even watch our games on TV (particularly if they had a metered TV) to drive up our TV ratings?

Eff em.

THANK YOU. That’s exactly how I feel. Columbus did nothing to help UC with its conference situation.

Close rivalries are great, but not when they cut into your fan base.

Most of their chatter on FCC announcement day was to use our event as a sounding board for their cause. I’m glad that didn’t happen.

I do understand a fan base unhappy with the loss of their team. But I can’t help but notice that the Crew hasn’t been drawing, their stadium sucks, and For whatever reason, Columbus and its corporate community have not stepped up to the plate. Cincinnati with all of its dysfunction managed to get the job done, so I’m having a difficult time feeling sorry for Columbus.

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

...ironically demonstrating through fan support why Cincinnati is gaining a team and Columbus is losing theirs. Funny.

(05-28-2018 01:40 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(05-28-2018 07:31 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  My guess is the Crew moves on to what they hope will be greener pastures. Perhaps that was an (as yet) unannounced move that puts an existing franchise in Sacramento or Detroit now that Cincy is joining the league.

I thought they were going to Austin.

There's a clause in the purchase of the team that the owner can only move the team to Austin. It's either find a solution in Columbus or move to Austin with the latter all but certain.

Ouch!

“Is there a way that the (Columbus Partnership) could deliver the kind of corporate support that (FC Cincinnati) has playing in a lower division?” Garber said. “The Mercy deal is one of the top sponsorships in Major League Soccer. ... As much as leagues and commissioners don’t like moving clubs, you have to be viable. You have to have this here, which we don’t have at the level we believe we need to have in Columbus.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bizjour...s.amp.html

(05-30-2018 11:25 AM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Ouch!

“Is there a way that the (Columbus Partnership) could deliver the kind of corporate support that (FC Cincinnati) has playing in a lower division?” Garber said. “The Mercy deal is one of the top sponsorships in Major League Soccer. ... As much as leagues and commissioners don’t like moving clubs, you have to be viable. You have to have this here, which we don’t have at the level we believe we need to have in Columbus.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bizjour...s.amp.html

And all that with the fact that Columbus has basically every major insurance company in the country headquartered there. It's hilarious that they haven't been able to leverage that at all in their 25 year history.

(05-30-2018 10:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

Under what obligation do residents of Cincinnati and/or FC Cincinnati fans have to the Columbus Crew? I didn't see people in Columbus assisting UC in their numerous attempts to get into the P5 the past 4-5 years. Did a bunch of OSU fans don UC gear and hop on a bus to fill up Nippert? Did they donate cash to our athletic department? Did they even watch our games on TV (particularly if they had a metered TV) to drive up our TV ratings?

Eff em.

I get that. I'm certainly not going to be one of the ones making said trip up there, but like Mark, I do selfishly want the Crew to stay. Not for their fans or that boring excuse for a city. The Hell Is Real Cup was a lot of fun.

But at the same time, I'll be bummed fir us that we lost a natural rival, but won't feel bad for their fans one bit.

(05-30-2018 12:29 PM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 10:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

Under what obligation do residents of Cincinnati and/or FC Cincinnati fans have to the Columbus Crew? I didn't see people in Columbus assisting UC in their numerous attempts to get into the P5 the past 4-5 years. Did a bunch of OSU fans don UC gear and hop on a bus to fill up Nippert? Did they donate cash to our athletic department? Did they even watch our games on TV (particularly if they had a metered TV) to drive up our TV ratings?

Eff em.

I get that. I'm certainly not going to be one of the ones making said trip up there, but like Mark, I do selfishly want the Crew to stay. Not for their fans or that boring excuse for a city. The Hell Is Real Cup was a lot of fun.

But at the same time, I'll be bummed fir us that we lost a natural rival, but won't feel bad for their fans one bit.

The USL is top notch for natural rivals.

If the Crew is no longer in Columbus I see no shortage of potential natural rivalries. The Cubs and Cardinals are rivals to the city's MLB baseball team-- makes since it could cross over for soccer with Chicago and KC. With Nashville coming on board that is another potential rivalry. Detroit has been mentioned as a possibility as a future expansion candidate in the next couple years as well.

(05-30-2018 01:17 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  If the Crew is no longer in Columbus I see no shortage of potential natural rivalries. The Cubs and Cardinals are rivals to the city's MLB baseball team-- makes since it could cross over for soccer with Chicago and KC. With Nashville coming on board that is another potential rivalry. Detroit has been mentioned as a possibility as a future expansion candidate in the next couple years as well.

That's all true, but the Crew would be the best of of the bunch, it's quite easy to hate Columbus. I don't think KC cares much for the Cardinals however, but I'm not a baseball guy so maybe I'm wrong.

At the end of the day, it's really up to that Precourt guy and what he wants to do. A section of blue and orange in his stadium for a game won't change his mind.

But personally, I think it'd be more fun if the Crew stayed. JMO.

(05-30-2018 01:09 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 12:29 PM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 10:18 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(05-30-2018 06:41 AM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 10:10 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Just curious...was there any “Save the Crew” noise today on Fountain Square? After reading Crew chat boards, I’ve come to the conclusion there will be bellyaching from their fans regardless of what happens to their team.

I hadn't seen any. However, one of the large supporters groups for Cincy is planning an away bus trip for Cincy fans to attend a Crew game where they will wave Save the Crew banners and flags and cheer for the Crew as a show of support. I think it's June 9th? It's when Columbus plays Toronto.

Under what obligation do residents of Cincinnati and/or FC Cincinnati fans have to the Columbus Crew? I didn't see people in Columbus assisting UC in their numerous attempts to get into the P5 the past 4-5 years. Did a bunch of OSU fans don UC gear and hop on a bus to fill up Nippert? Did they donate cash to our athletic department? Did they even watch our games on TV (particularly if they had a metered TV) to drive up our TV ratings?

Eff em.

I get that. I'm certainly not going to be one of the ones making said trip up there, but like Mark, I do selfishly want the Crew to stay. Not for their fans or that boring excuse for a city. The Hell Is Real Cup was a lot of fun.

But at the same time, I'll be bummed fir us that we lost a natural rival, but won't feel bad for their fans one bit.

The USL is top notch for natural rivals.

Indy and Louisvile have been a lot of fun. Pittsburgh would have been more fun if they actually had a fanbase to banter with, plus I don't think they've beaten us in 2.5 years in the league.

(05-30-2018 01:36 PM)The T-Shirt Wrote:  At the end of the day, it's really up to that Precourt guy and what he wants to do. A section of blue and orange in his stadium for a game won't change his mind.

But personally, I think it'd be more fun if the Crew stayed. JMO.

I agree that it is more fun if the Crew stayed - Hell Is Real is cool. There's a reason Precourt put the Austin clause in the purchase contract. He wants to go to Austin. He's going to go to Austin (if Austin will have him). It will take a lot for Columbus to keep The Crew. Maybe they (and the state) work out a deal with the MLS to drop lawsuits in exchange for an expansion club. This wouldn't happen, however, without much larger corporate and fan support of the team and a brand new downtown stadium (in an area similar to Cincy's West End). I'm not sure Columbus is going to do this. I think MLS is close to done with Columbus. It's a shame because it would have been a fun rivalry.

Maybe the Crew will depart to Austin and the folks up in Cow-town can get themselves a nice, sparkly new USL team that we can use as our FCII. I wonder how they would accept being Cincinnati's #2?

The Toledo soccer club is trying to get a USL franchise currently. I'm not sure how far along the process may be but the owners seem pretty confident about their chances.

(05-30-2018 03:58 PM)crex043 Wrote:  Maybe the Crew will depart to Austin and the folks up in Cow-town can get themselves a nice, sparkly new USL team that we can use as our FCII. I wonder how they would accept being Cincinnati's #2?

In the category of "real cities" they will always be Cincinnati's #2, at best. And Ohio's #3 behind Cincy and Cleveland for my money.

(05-31-2018 07:49 AM)Cat_Litter Wrote:  The Toledo soccer club is trying to get a USL franchise currently. I'm not sure how far along the process may be but the owners seem pretty confident about their chances.

If memory serves me correctly (haven't really kept track of Toledo Villa that much honestly), they are a UPSL team now, which is basically 6th division semi-amateur, and they play at a high school football stadium that isn't even the biggest in its own school district. They're run by Scott Black who also runs the largest youth club in the area (Pacesetter FC) and they're trying to go to USL D3 from what The Blade says....I honestly just don't see the market here even with all of the youth players. We draw incredibly well for minor league hockey (avg. 7,000/game for the Walleye), but that's because Toledo is a hockey town....and the group that owns both the Walleye and the Mud Hens (AAA affiliate of the Tigers) wants absolutely nothing to do with a soccer team, so there isn't really an even semi-decent ownership prospect.

Another reason for me to hate soccer. Expressway softball park announced yesterday that it sold and is shutting down on July 9 after 37 years. They effectively cancelled all tournament and league games after that date. I'm told, although not 100% confirmed, that the land was purchased by FC Cincinnati and will become their practice fields.