Nationalism vs Entertainment; why do you support your team?
Many of the most well known soccer teams are located in Europe, and they draw supporters from all around the world. Traditionally, all of the games that they play in take place in the home country of the teams in the league, in Europe. However, there are few exceptions when the European teams play in other countries. One of which is the International Champions Cup which will be played all around the United States.
As I mentioned in a previous post, El Clasico is a soccer game played between the Spanish teams F.C Barcelona and Real Madrid. When they meet in Miami in July, it will be “the first time the two teams will play a game against each other on North American soil, and the second time El Clasico has been played outside of Spain.”
Needless to say, this match is a big deal. I, along with a group of my friends, were determined to attend the game ourselves. Unfortunately, those aspirations were crushed quite rapidly. I have been fortunate to attend a few matches so far (both in the states and abroad). When I saw the United States Men’s National Team play, the tickets were around $20 each. Tickets to watch a D.C United match (MLS) are about $35-$55. When I saw Barcelona and Chelsea play, the tickets were around $100. The tickets for the Barcelona — Madrid match in Miami start at $600, with the most expensive ticket falling around $4000. *ticket prices can be found on ticketmaster.com. Why is it that the tickets to the international teams’ matches are so different in cost to the US teams’ matches?
This brings me to a point that I want to focus on in my research paper which I have been touching on in a few other articles: why are international teams held to a higher regard than teams within the United States are? What is the draw that fans have to these European teams, that the teams in North America do not have?
A personal belief of mine, which seems to be backed up by comments I have received on my pieces and the opinions of my peers, is that American players do not play at the same level as players from other countries do. Not to say that they are not all playing at the same professional or skill level per say, but if you were to watch a Major League Soccer match and a Premier League match, there would be many noticeable differences. Even comparing matches between European leagues, there are observable differences in playing style. German players are very mechanic, Spanish players mess around with tricks, skill, (and diving), and I have found that English soccer is the most inconsistent, yet the most competitive.
6 out of 23 players on our national team play for teams who are not included in MLS- the rest play for assorted teams in the MLS. Yet, all of the players are playing at the same level internationally- or are they? The US is currently ranked 30th in the world, with the top 15 teams being European, Central American, or South American.
Does this affect why viewers in the United States prefer to watch international soccer rather than watch and support MLS and the national team?
