The recent friendly game between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Met Life Stadium was a major success, as the stadium was sold out for the match. This has sparked interest and enthusiasm among American football figures for more competitive games to be played in the United States.
The Premier League has been receiving numerous requests to consider organising competitive matches in the US for some time now. European clubs have already made going to the USA for pre-season a regular part of their calendar, and the sport of soccer is gradually gaining popularity among Americans.
Arsenal, Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and several other European clubs have a significant fanbase in the United States. As a result, these clubs have been scheduling pre-season games in the country, further fueling the growing interest in soccer among American fans.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has expressed the state’s interest in hosting competitive games from European clubs. This indicates a strong desire and readiness to embrace the idea of having top-level competitive soccer matches take place in the United States.
Murphy said via the Daily Mail:
‘We would die to have a real competitive game anywhere in America. To have a Champions League game in New York/New Jersey, it would be overwhelming.
‘I know the clubs have not been wild about that in Europe. But I would assume that United and Arsenal view this as a good brand: putting your best players out there, 82,000 fans in New York/New Jersey.
‘You would have Barcelona playing Real Madrid in New Jersey at some point in a regular season or in a Champions League game. I’d love to think it would happen.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
It would be interesting for competitive games to be played outside of England, but that would be one of the trickiest decisions the Premier League can make and fans will not like it.
The presence of fans at the grounds in every league game in England is a part of the country’s football culture.
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Terrible idea – that would be the definition of selling out. How do you decide who plays who in a way that’s fair and makes sense from a competitive perspective.
Only way I could see it working at all is if we did away with goal difference and the teams with the same points had to have a deciding game (like in Italy, I think?) – then it wouldn’t matter if they wanted to play on a neutral ground.
The real answer is that they should simply focus on improving the standards in the MLS and start attracting the top players in their primes. Takes time, but it helps if the focus of the sport is on competition, not advertising imo.
This discussion is the proverbial “camel’s nose in the tent” for a Super League. It was shelved, but believe me it never died or was buried.
Maybe only with Europa League or Champions League matches, but that would cheat the fans of the clubs playing the match.
Finals of Europa or Champuons League maybe, as neither team plays in their home stadium.
Still, the local fans would have financial obstacles compared to overseas fans being accommodated.
I think we will see a Super League at some point in the future. 10 years, 20, 50 years maybe.
The money involved will become too much to be ignored, and many will succumb to the inevitable.
Let’s get real for once. Football or Soccer will not be able to survive in North America without all the supporting circus gimmicks e.g. skills competitions, penalty kicks at the end.
We should be more concerned about defending the game against Saudi Arabia. If they are allowed to continue wielding their “bone saws” at players wages, the PL as we know it today will not survive for much longer.
Quite a negative view of the game in the United States.
When they see the revenue stream is big enough and the fan support is there you may be surprised.
Over 330 million people in the States, and the support is growing.
Why do you think so many clubs come here in the preseason?
If Money was what Messi wanted he could have joined the Saudi League.
The richest franchises in the world are in the States, Forbes has the listing. Unfortunately the influence of money and profit is massive, so don’t be surprised in the future.
Not really negative, just reality. Despite the many efforts over the years to grow the game in the US, it still lags far behind basketball, baseball, football, Hockey and athletics. Football is just (and will always be) a “cool” game in the USA primarily for suburban women. Sorry.
Cool game for suburban woman, I missed that when we played in New Jersey.
82,000 for preseason game between Arsenal and Utd. Could you draw that many in England for same preseason game? How many stadiums can hold 82,000?
Let’s see how many fans show for preseason Barca vs Arsenal.
Game for Suburban women tag is nonsense.
Cup finals would do.
Why? So you would rob the fans of going to Wembley for a final, just to give the American public what they want?
Tell you what – how about staging the next super bowl final over here in England just so that 85000 people can attend?
Can’t imagine that happening any day soon.
Ken
The NFL has done so for several years now, NBA has also, even Major League Baseball has played in England. These sports have traversed the pond to showcase in England.
Logistics is a big issue, but is it such an impossibility?
Why not a Europa League or Champions League Final in the States? Is it so far fetched?
I think it is great to grow game. I predict that Super League is on the horizon, may take years, but the Saudi league is the beginning.
It’s happened with the PGA in golf, unfortunately sports is not immune to globalization, as we are learning. Simply can’t detach the business from the sport.
Durand, I understand where you are coming from, especially as you are based in the USA.
But, for me, to suggest that any UK domestic game, governed by the FA, PL or EUFA should take place in America makes no sense to me.
Just as bringing the superbowl final to the shores of the UK makes no sense to me either .
I do agree that I may be old fashioned and not forward thinking ( more like Arsene every day it seems 👍) so my thoughts could be out of touch and you do put forward a good argument.
However, I personally would draw the line at making a nigh on 18 hour journey to watch The Arsenal play for 90 minutes, then make the same 18 hour journey back at a cost of who knows what?
I’d hate to think what my long suffering wife would say to that!!
Ken
I understand the financial difficulties involved, believe me. I’m a huge Arsenal fan like many here in the States, and even seeing Arsenal vs Burnley here in the States would draw thousands of fans.
Let it be the away game at Burnley played here.
Let it be the Community Shield, which many call a glorified preseason match and not a real trophy.
Even that would be great here, not interfere with the season, and not affect 18 other teams.
“old fashioned and not forward thinking ( more like Arsene every day it seems 👍) ”
I might be wrong as I can’t find any articles, but i seem to remember wenger proposing this very thing (1 off games in the US) years ago? I don’t think your comment was serious here as arsene is probably one of the most forward thinking people in football (he constantly suggests ways to change the game), but do you recall him suggesting this, or am I misremembering?
It was tongue in cheek Davi, following articles that appeared on JA.
Durand, I do like the idea of the CS being played over there, as City fans do have a genuine grievance regarding the timing and venue.
Time will tell if football does become as big as your “soccer” (!!) and I guess someone with the high profile of Stan Kronkie can only help, along with David Beckham etc etc.
The sports that Durand mentions are big in the USA but don’t have the same following in the UK. It makes financial sense for those leagues to grow the support for their respective sports here. Football/soccer is top dog and doesn’t need to grow further. Unfortunate for North America but when I look at what Stan Kroenke did to his own team in the States then I do fear the long term of our league and the intentions of the money men and women
I can envisage a more prominent club competition that encompasses the rest of the world but that would mean a lot of compromise for the various leagues.
To think I used to just turn up and go through the turnstiles. I’m unlikely to go and watch a game in the States that is meaningful. For one of the teams it’s supposed to be a home tie. How does that work?
I think it will have to expand beyond the UK.
Massive support and Revenue streams broadcasting globally, the demand will rise.
Saudi league will siphon off more talent, a Super League WILL form I the future as well.
The PL must position itself accordingly, the Champions League is a harbinger of what’s to come.
As great as the PL is, it pales in comparison to a Super League. If they refuse, they will fall behind, simple as that.
Well, Durand, I do think that you will be proved correct, but I hope not in the near future. I’m British and these are my roots. My family have followed Arsenal since the 30’s at least and now my sons and two young grandsons do the same. It is part of our heritage, in the same what that American football is yours. The fact that footie has become a world wide sport should not automatically mean that the leagues from countries across the globe should bow down to the power of dollar or the Saudi Riyal.
I appreciate that you are an ardent Arsenal supporter but you have, in all probability as much chance of seeing Arsenal at the Emirates as I do, if you are prepared to visit London. I don’t have a season ticket, so my options are limited as well, albeit only an inter city train ride away.