The question came quickly, as soon as my seatmate on the plane learned I was a soccer writer. ôSo how long will it be before soccer gets popular in the U.S.?ö he asked.
The man looked like a player himself: early 30s, trim, fit. He lives in Denver ù one of 12 MLS cities. I took him to be a fellow aficionado, and got set for an in-depth, analytical discussion of American soccer.
But he was not. He had grown up on Long Island, played a couple of years of recreational soccer, then drifted away to cross country and swimming. Now heÆs married. His child also plays recreational soccer and may or may not continue.
This man is exactly the type of fan ù young, affluent, not unfamiliar with the sport ù that MLS must grab.
ôHow closely do you follow the Rapids?ö I asked.
ôNot much at all,ö he admitted. ôIf they gave me a reason to watch, I would. But to tell you the truth, I donÆt know too much about them.ö
I glanced at the local paper. It was midweek; the Rapids would not play for a few days. There were plenty of stories about the Rockies, just starting their season, the Nuggets, who were ending theirs, the Avalanche, involved in the NHL playoffs, even the Broncos, who were smack in the middle of offseason. The Rapids rated one short wire service piece.
ôNo one has given me a reason to be a Rapids fan,ö the man on the airplane said. ôTheyÆre not on TV, I donÆt think, and they havenÆt really reached out to get me in the stadium. TheyÆre there, but theyÆre not really there ù you know what I mean?ö
Moving men on airplanes ù and their families ù into stadium seats continues to be the challenge the Colorado Rapids, and all other MLS teams, face.