Well, that was a short and largely anti-climatic announcement.
There is a report that the name change isn't happening because the Rapids would either have to a) give MLS 18 months notice of a name change or b) pay a penalty to change it sooner. Maybe it will happen sooner over later, but we'll have to see on that.
I'm somewhat disappointed at this news now though. I don't know how MLS will be taken seriously if it's seen as a minor league to the EPL. However, I'm interested to see the commitment to grassroots development (Arsenal Cup) as that might be a good step to the future of the sport here.
Smudger
· 2 years ago
I was originally questioning the need for a relationship here, given Arsenal's penchant for bringing in non-domestic talent, and how that would build consensus and public relations for a struggling Colorodo club. I have backed up now and believe that if Arsenal the football club can share with Colorado THEIR style of play, this might turn out to be a good thing.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
Jeff H said: "I don't know how MLS will be taken seriously if it's seen as a minor league to the EPL."
DUDE, Everyone already knows MLS is a 'minor league' compared to the English Premiership, i hardly see how a name would make a difference one way or another. The best MLS can hope for in the near future is to become the Dutch and French leagues - which guess what? Are feeder leagues to the "EPL". Does that mean they are 'minor' no. Get out of this stupid mindset that if it is America it must be treated as equals. England has had a 100 year head start, know your place and drop delusions of granduer.
Keeping the name Rapids doesn't mean they will challenge Premiership sides any more than changing it to Arsenal would mean the MLS is the Premiership. It's just a name for chrissakes!
Jeff H
· 2 years ago
Need to clarify: with respect to the minor league comment, I meant with respect to growing the sport in the US. I don't believe MLS will ever be the EPL (and I never said that it would), but I look at the American fan and I'm not sure they will be happy with that.
And I wasn't commenting on the name. I don't care about the name. I was hoping that there would be more to this partnership.
This is interesting... In 2007 the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer will open a soccer-specific stadium on Rocky Mountain ARSENAL land that was transferred to Commerce City. - wikipedia
All Comments
There is a report that the name change isn't happening because the Rapids would either have to a) give MLS 18 months notice of a name change or b) pay a penalty to change it sooner. Maybe it will happen sooner over later, but we'll have to see on that.
I'm somewhat disappointed at this news now though. I don't know how MLS will be taken seriously if it's seen as a minor league to the EPL. However, I'm interested to see the commitment to grassroots development (Arsenal Cup) as that might be a good step to the future of the sport here.
DUDE, Everyone already knows MLS is a 'minor league' compared to the English Premiership, i hardly see how a name would make a difference one way or another. The best MLS can hope for in the near future is to become the Dutch and French leagues - which guess what? Are feeder leagues to the "EPL". Does that mean they are 'minor' no. Get out of this stupid mindset that if it is America it must be treated as equals. England has had a 100 year head start, know your place and drop delusions of granduer.
Keeping the name Rapids doesn't mean they will challenge Premiership sides any more than changing it to Arsenal would mean the MLS is the Premiership. It's just a name for chrissakes!
And I wasn't commenting on the name. I don't care about the name. I was hoping that there would be more to this partnership.
In 2007 the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer will open a soccer-specific stadium on Rocky Mountain ARSENAL land that was transferred to Commerce City. - wikipedia