DC United President Blasts Boring Soccer
Filed under: DC United, MLS
“We don’t want to play like Colorado or New England, which most of the season sat with eight or nine guys behind the ball. How many people go to watch Colorado or New England play? That’s a problem for our league. We can’t play like we’re a team desperately trying to remain in 14th place in the Premiership…” Kevin Payne, President, DC United.
Courtesy SoccerInsider
“Our market isn’t there yet. They want to see something that is entertaining, and D.C. United has always had a way of playing. Given a choice, we would rather attack than cynically defend. You look at the way Real Salt Lake played when they came here [a 0-0 tie in May] and sat 10 guys behind the ball. You don’t have to do that. Sometimes that is the best way to get a result — if you don’t care about the product, if you don’t care about advertising your league. Long term, who wants to watch that?
There are a lot of games in our league that I can’t watch. The problem in our league isn’t who is or isn’t in the playoffs; it’s that not enough people want to watch our league yet, and we have to convince them that our league is worth watching. I don’t think [playing conservatively] is the way to do it. I recognize there is more than one way to skin a cat. I’m not saying that everyone has to play an attacking style, but that is our style and identity, and we have to be honest with ourselves and say there are sometimes liabilities [such as missing the playoffs] that come with it.
We still have a lot more trophies in our case than everybody else, so I think in the long run, it’s the right thing to do. This league is changing [a smaller percentage of teams will make the playoffs as MLS expands by three over the next two seasons] and we are going to see more of that kind of [defensive] approach: results at any cost.”
Image via Bizjournals
I like that guy…and i agree. Those teams are usually boring to watch even if they have some quality players.
Thats very true, teams like the Revs wonder why nobody shows up to their games. I think Taylor Twellmen was their only offensive spark and with him off the field, they rely on a lackluster midfield and Joseph. A good example of a team that changed their style of play for the better is KC. They were playing boring soccer and when they brought in Lopez and Wolffe, they were able to get a stable fan base, a new stadium and a good following…Somebody tell Kraft to get to work.
I applaud his sentiments, but question whether DCU really plays ‘attacking’ soccer. See their 2nd-to-last game (home v. Columbus). Granted, the conditions were nasty, but they got an early goal and bunkered down, no question about it.
Columbus has proved the last two season that winning and playing attractive soccer are not mutually exclusive
He’s got a point. It’s not like any of the teams go down if they’re in last place. Play free, they can only gain from that.
I agree with what he is saying. Some mid table and lower table EPL matches are really hard on the eyes because they are two teams who are trying not to make a mistake instead of trying to create.
I think it’s funny that he singled out RSL, one of the more attack minded teams in the league. DC was at home in the game, and the pressure was on them to be the aggressors and make something happen. RSL picked up a point by staying organized on defense and springing counter attacks when the situation arose. You can’t blame RSL for playing disciplined defense any more than you can blame DC for not breaking down a team over 90 minutes.
RSL lead the league in goals scored at home…
He’s just trying to make excuses for the fact that his team missed the playoffs AGAIN.
I’m a Revs fan and love that he’s called the club out for playing boring soccer. I agree with alot of what he says - its not just about winning its about entertaining.
but at the same time, DC hasn’t exactly been playing Wengerball this year. While his points have merit, he’s being a bit hypocritical. His team was just as poor as my team this year.
Nice jeans, Kev.
He has a point, but that is not the only reason people dont go watch them…or other teams. Have you seen where the stadiums for some of these teams are located? Of course, Payne wont mention it since his team maybe be playing in the middle of nowhere soon enough.
Kind of sounds like he is trying to make excuses for why his team didn’t make the playoffs. Some people go to the games simply because they love it. Others have to be entertained. The game is unpredictable. If you want definite entertainment at every game, you might be better off watching a movie.
Also, whatever is behind him in the picture makes it look like he has a mullet.
as a dual resident of denver and boston over the last 4 years.. yes i agree. Colorado and New England play defensive uninspiring soccer and unless your a diehard fan its hard to keep supporting those teams.
actually, winning is everything. That is why the MLS is not entertaining, Club Presidents coming out and saying that the entertainment value is more important than winning. If the league wants to gain anything more than a hobbyist following, clubs need to care less about style points and more about the ones on the scoreboard.