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The Football Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter ArkadiosV22
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Triumphant Mexico soccer team becoming a major brand in the U.S.

By Simon Evans
06/28/2011 | 05:22 PM

LOS ANGELES - Mexico's national soccer team not only retained their continental Gold Cup crown but in the past three weeks have also made their mark as one of the most successful sports brands in North America.

In their six games at different venues across the United States, Mexico attracted an average attendance of 71,500 fans including the 93,000 who turned out at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday.

Stadiums built for NFL teams have been packed with Spanish-speaking families singing and chanting and dressed in green jerseys.

The result has been a passionate 'home field' advantage for Mexico against all opponents -- even the United States in Los Angeles.

"It's an unbelievable feeling, we have some many Mexican fans in the United States and we have to say thanks for all the support we get," said Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, fast becoming a global name in the sport.

The team is also generating the kind of attention that would be the envy of most of the top American sports teams.

The Mexicans have produced television audiences that have pushed Spanish-language network Univision to the top of the U.S. ratings for peak-time on Saturday night for the past two weeks, beating all the leading England-language channels.

The final, which Mexico won 4-2, attracted an average audience of 8 million throughout the broadcast -- in Spanish.

To put into context, game seven of the NHL's Stanley Cup, averaged 8.5 million in the States on NBC and the final round of the U.S. Open golf drew 9 million on the same channel -- both in English.

Not surprisingly the Mexican team have attracted some top-level sponsors, eager to gain from association with a true Hispanic success story in the States.

"The team are now one of the top sports brands in the States and companies have stepped up and seen the value of that," said Michael Hitchcock of Texas-based Playbook Management International, who specialize in soccer business in North America

"They are selling out stadiums, selling jerseys, selling sodas, selling beers -- anyway you look at it they are a money-making machine because the fans are so passionate."

Among those sponsoring the team are 'All American' brands normally more associated with traditional U.S. sports -- among them Coca Cola and Home Depot.

Anheuser Busch's 'Bud Light' beer has been pushing their association with the Mexicans through various mediums.

In L.A., visitors to the international airport have been greeted with a giant billboard promoting the beer's sponsorship of the team.

Insurance company All State have pushed their link-up with 'El Tri' heavily on television during the Gold Cup and have also interacted directly with fans through their 'Futbol Fiesta' initiative outside stadiums.

"We've expanded our presence and support of soccer overall because it is such a popular sport that is growing sport in the States," says All State's Caitlin Morse.

"We've had a lot of success with the Mexican national team -- being able to interact with fans, we have found the team a great way to communicate to a Hispanic audience."

All State, like Budweiser, also sponsor the U.S. national team, indicating that brands may well choose to have a foot in both camps of North America's biggest soccer rivalry.

Mexico's commercial success is also helping U.S. soccer in another way - the U.S. deals, including the organization of five games a year in the States, are handled by Soccer United Marketing (SUM) which is the marketing wing of Major League Soccer -- the club championship in the U.S. and Canada.

SUM has been marketing Mexico in the States since their link up with the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) began in 2003.

"To be able to align a brand with that passion point has been something that has been extremely valuable to some industry-leading brands," said SUM's vice-president of global sponsorship David Wright.

"The growth will mirror somewhat you see in this country - the demographic shift and the evolution and growth of the Hispanic market place.

"We don't need to educate (potential) partners - they know what this team means and the results show it."
Click to expand...
-- Reuters
 
Barcelona's Lionel Messi delivers in big games, unlike Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo - Guti

The former Madrid star feels Barca are still on a higher level, and stated that the biggest difference between Messi and CR7 is their performances in key matches

By Stefan Coerts

Jun 28, 2011 12:20:00 PM


Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has stated that although he feels Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he reckons that the Portugal international is not of the same level as Barcelona's Lionel Messi when it comes to performing when it matters most.

Read the whole article from this link. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spai...ionel-messi-delivers-in-big-games-unlike-real
 
Tiago Alcantara 2 more years in Barcelona :)
2011-06-29_FIRMA_RENOVACION_CONTRATO_THIAGO_ALCANTARA_007.jpg


BTW Guti said the truth, messi is better than ronaldo :cool:
 
Barcelona and Arsenal are nearing a deal to ship Fabregas into Spain. BBC reported that £35 million is the likely transfer fee.
 
Copa América on the way!

Just finished Brazil 0-0 Venezuela. First time good for brazilians but failing clear opportunities. The problem of their forwards is they NEVER shoot when they can. They always try to control the ball and to do it preety.

In the second half, Venezuela supported very well in defense and Brazil didn't arrive with danger to the vinotinto's goal.

Three games, three boring games.
 
Orlando Pirates looking deadly

Orlando Pirates looking deadly

The Orlando Pirates are looking very formidable under new manager Julio Leal. Players said that Leal has introduced a number of formations and plays on both fields.

New players are Siyabonga Sangweni, Sameehg Doutie, Njabulo Ntusi and Njabulo Mjempu.
 
one more bad game of messi in the coppa and i suggest him to get out from argentina:D
 
A River Plate fan watching the first leg of the relegation playoff against Belgrano:

 
Women's World Cup

Women's World Cup

Japan 1 Germany 0

Karina Maruyama scores a goal in extra time as Japan enters the Semi Finals.

bilde
 
brazil should change their coach! he sucks big time! i hate coaches playing defensive style! oh but this one ain't playing anyth !!
 
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