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Not many people know of the New England Revolution. Even less know what John Harkes or Jamar Beasley do for a living. The truth is that the Revolution play in Major League Soccer, while Harkes and Beasley are two of their star players.
Major League Soccer, also known as the MLS, is in its 6th season of existence. Although, most people would not know it from the lack of media attention they receive. You will not be seeing highlights on ESPN’s Sportscenter, and if you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of a game overview at the end of a local news show’s sports wrap-up. Newspapers like the Boston Globe rely heavily on Associated Press articles to avoid having to send a reporter to the games.
Many may ask, why does there is a lack of media coverage for the MLS. That answer is an easy one. The MLS averaged 13,756 people per game last year, and most people don’t believe that is good enough for a six-year-old league. Television ratings are far less than adequate for games being shown on national television on channels ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
They say that there aren’t enough soccer fans in the United States. Just try telling that to the die-hard Revolution supporters that show up at Foxboro Stadium, home of the Revolution, for every single home game. The Midnight Riders, an unofficial supporters group for the Revolution, are currently planning a bus trip to New Jersey to which their team play in Giants Stadium against the MetroStars. They expect over 80 people to make the trip.
These people manage to transcend the myths that soccer is the US isn’t important to the common man. These people are our doctors, bus drivers, or even our professors. Children are enjoying the game too since soccer is now one of the largest growing youth sports in the United States.
For the first year in MLS history, attendance is projected to be on the rise. League wide season ticket sales are expected to reach their all-time high surpassing their 1997 total of 43,782, according to a recent USA Today article. This is showing promise in the United States for the sport of soccer as a mainstream sport.
The New England Revolution opens their season away from home April 7th against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the MetroStars. For those of you not making the trip to Giants Stadium, the game will be broadcast live at 7:00 pm on the WB network.
Brandon Schubert
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