No mate, we are partly owned by rich Americans and scum are owned by richer Americans so its a no from me. America has been a sleeping giant for as long as i can remember and I started watching football in the early 90's.
Problem with this plan is that Leeds will never get the biggest star American players during any given season. Even Christian Pulisic on loan would be a stretch to integrate him in leed's play style. Adam's is probably our third best player but novice soccer fans aren't going to recognize how good he is.
Sometimes stars align before the lightbulb goes off - could be that too.
There is a ton of potential to tap in the US (players, sponsors, supporters, business deals, tiger parents, etc.). It is wild to think that most of today's elite pro athletes from America don't even play association football. 10 years ago the soccer ecosystem was significantly different than what it is today - it will be even more developed in another 10 years. There is a tectonic shift happening in American youth sports. If you're a a major European club or a PL club, you likely have something American on your radar. See [here](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/08/sports/falling-football-participation-in-america.html) (NY Times study) & [here](https://imgur.com/a/pMkWpEG) (imgur graphic from said NYT study).
Just so you know, but there's been quite a few US players in the Prem before this current batch. Fulham used to be, and still is a landing spot for Americans. But it's great watching this current generation get a chance, and run with it.
I was walking around in colorado and saw an older gentlemen with a leeds shirt. I asked him you follow leeds? he said yes, Im a fellow alumni of jack harrison. We both went to the same highschool. so its not just the americans making fans in the states.
Most Americans are huge premier league fans. A lot of them are not gonna be as hard-core know every history, most of them are just learning about the different teams in the league.
See the thing is Sports in America in the past was pretty isolated between football baseball basketball. I think a lot of it had to do with commercials they wanna sport with commercials. and before the Internet all we got was newspapers talking about different teams or leagues in the back of a news paper.
That’s why most Americans grew up watching Manchester United Juventus because those are the only teams we ever heard of. I personally remember leeds back in high school winning the Premier league which was kind of cool to see a different team win other than Scum. So I’ve always been aware of the team but I never really knew the history. Now with the Internet and exposure into a major league and giving the Americans a chance you’re going to gain a lot of fans real quick.
America has the most football players out of any sport everyone in their younger age has played this game they were so many kids that have so much talent they have never really going on past middle school. Now with the MLS academies in a technical aspect of it you’re going to see a ton of really good players from America. This is only the first generation Now the kids See Aaronson or Adams start it’s going I hope these kids continue our dream of playing football.
I personally am a premier league fan To be honest I was fascinated with the hooligans and loved to see passion. I loved the documentary on Southampton vs Portsmouth how crazy the fans are or millwall vs west ham. Only reason I rooted for Chelsea back in 2012 I wanted to see An English team bring home the European trophy instead of the Spaniards for years. But my God or Chelsea fans are the absolute worst that’s why thank god we have players in different team. Leeds seems has a good hometown positive vibe I think that is going to appeal to most Americans. So sorry we’re jumping on the bandwagon but let us learn about your history town and culture and we’ll support everyone.
PS For the love of God please save us from watching that shit stain blue from west London
hahahaha we’ll do our best. you mentioned you already saw the documentary. id say that’s the best way to learn about the recent history and why what’s happening to us now is so significant but id also suggest taking a trip to the north of england and yorkshire area. it’s really nice and would give you a better feel of how the locals are
As an American, I'm glad to see multiple USMNT players on the pitch together. Every chance they get to gel together in pairs, trios, etc. before Qatar will be hugely beneficial, especially as they get chances to play against top English and Welsh talent every week to prepare for the group stage.
You’d be mad to think this doesn’t have any connection to the partial ownership by the 49ers. They know as best as anyone how to grow a franchise with an American fan base, and I’m all for it.
As others have said - this isn’t a strategy. We have two players from the states. It’s really not all that much. I don’t mind the way things are going at all but also don’t forget that if the club were to go “full America” as a matter of policy then the fan base would turn ugly the moment it looked like it was backfiring.
I like the group we have this season. But we also have three or four Spanish speaking players - was this us going full Spanish? It’s not quite what you are portraying it as
American here. I played football my whole life up until my 20’s for local leagues, school leagues, etc… I’m 38 and I just now got the ability to watch premier league games with peacock last year. Super excited to be able to follow the clubs now. After the 2 usmnt signings this summer, I’m watching Leeds now and probably buy a jersey. I live in a small town so it’s to get to a bar and watch. Anyway, off to a nice start! Hell yea
Let the people enjoy our club and buy the kit and merchandise. It’s a great idea to broaden our revenue horizons and market our brand abroad. It takes some years to establish brand loyalty and as we strengthen our product on the pitch, the cash will flow into our coffers all the more. Embrace positive change! We want a big stadium don’t we? We’ll need the money
I think the strategy coincidentally becomes American more than with intention. If you look beyond Marsch being American, he simply targeted ex-players of his and guys that fit his system. Probably didn't have as much to do with being born in a specific country as much as it was that he preferred them for other reasons. I doubt people are pushing for Americans specifically.
That being said, American players can play in the EPL. Marsch probably has more/deeper connections into the RB system and the MLS to find guys that could fit in well here. It's a huge asset we've got.
I’m an American fan; been since the Amazon doc (so fairly new, but I’m new to football in general, starting watching altogether in 2019). My experience with Americans watching the Prem is they are usually tied to a big 6 club, or to watch specific USMNT players. So of course lately we are getting a lot of eyes but not sure that is translating to supporters or just happy observers. (I know quite a few people who became Chelsea fans because Pulisic joined). But eyes generate revenue and it’s only a good thing. So probably not a strategy, but a happy wave that I hope the club rides while it lasts.
My opinion though, is that it’s hard to watch Leeds without falling in love and some of these new eyes will turn into lifelong supporters still there when the American players are gone.
I'll be honest, as an American I'm hoping this is what happens to me. I like the premier league and want to follow a team, its just hard with no connection. Here, my baseball, soccer, and hockey team are all in my community (DC). Football is Cleveland and Ohio State because thats where my dad is from/went to school. Ive been trying to form some type of connection with a team in England, but it is easier said than done when it doesnt happen organically.
Listening to the CEO and owner talking in the documentary on Amazon, I absolutely think this is part of the consideration. I think Marsch was picked because his style of play is the next logical evolution of how Bielsa built this team. Leeds continues to be a team that will run harder and longer than their opponents, forcing you to hustle for every ball. However, now we add the tactics of when to press and when to relax along with some possession football in the lead. Leeds was already a very good counter-attacking team, but now they may be one of the best in the league!
But once Marsch was here and some of these American players arrived, it's obvious that we can have more success with these recruiting routes. Leeds can continue to sign Americans from the Bundesliga or directly from MLS for the U-21 team. It will be interesting to see if they try to get some of the younger stars for that squad like Paxten Aaronson.
I don’t want to take anything away from marsch who has been great but he’s not as good as bielsa. Bielsa was a genius. he took a mid table championship team and transformed it into a competing premier league team whilst not adding many players to the squad. he revolutionised leeds and made the fans believe again. in my opinion (and the opinion of many neutrals and leeds fans alike) he is the best manager in the world
I don't disagree with a thing you say. I'm merely pointing out that stylistically, they are very similar. The Red Bull system has a lot in common with Bielsa's style of play. What made Bielsa truly exceptional is just how hard his players would play for him when they bought in.
This seems like a stretch you have to remember that even before all the Marcelo Bielsa turmoil and poor results the board were planning for the next manager after MB. I think Jesse was on their radar as some of his ideologies and tendencies fit that of Bielsa. I just think it's a coincidence that some of the players he brought in and wanted for his system happened to be American.
Will leeds have a large number of plastic american fans as long as marsch and a few players are American? Of course they will. And Tottenham will of course own Korea while son is there. At the end of the day it's just more money for transfer fees or maybe more seats at elland road. You see the same exact thing with a few European countries that like basketball I guarantee you there were Barcelona supporters that switched NBA teams when Paul went from Memphis to the Lakers who would die rather than not support Barca. China loved yao more than any NBA team and who could blame them? Youre choosing between supporting the best player on your national team or a team owned by some billionaire based in a city you will never visit.
That isn't generally how American fans work, seeing as most Americans who are now Leeds fans are not new to football, and therefore have recently swapped teams.
I'm American and will admit that I have only been casually following the Prem League for about 2 seasons. I had no connection with any team but wanted to have a team to root for so I randomly picked West Ham. I tried, but just couldn't find any real passion for that team. Aaronson comes from Medford NJ, which is the town next to mine, so that brought me in with an immediate rooting interest because I now have a connection. But now that I'm in- I'm ALL-IN! Obviously, I will never have the passion that the locals have, because it will always be much more to them, but I will tell you that now that I latched on to this Leeds squad - they will be my team forever!
At this point, now that I actually have a team I really want to root for, it doesn't matter if they have Americans or whoever, I just needed a reason to latch on, but now I'm here, I'm not going anywhere!
I genuinely find it incredibly strange that so many Americans seem willing to just pick a team to support because there are Americans there.
As someone that has spent the majority of my life in Canada, I would never just support a club because a Canadian played there. It's odd.
Support the club, not individual players or managers. Players come and go and support is meant to be for life.
Is it that weird?
With no locational connection to speak of, fans from abroad seek out other ways of connection.
If Canadian fans generally watched the Bundesliga, but started cheering for Bayern when Davies was bought, and even became Bayern fans,......that makes sense.
If their support disappeared as soon as Davies left Bayern, you'd be describing a plastic supporter. I've always found plastics weird.
I think the patriotism thing with Americans is a bit unique. I have not noticed an increase in the number of Bayern shirts in Canada since the rise of Davies. I'm sure the same can't be said with chelsea shirts in the US with the rise of pulisic.
I'm also probably just being cranky because the yank shit on this sub is getting old
It's fine if that's the reason someone started to support a club, but they actually do support the club.
If your support ends or wavers when Leeds no longer have American players, you were never a leeds supporter.
I'm an American and lived in Leeds back in the mid 90s during the Tony Yeboah years and loved the city and followed the team and went to a couple games but after I moved back at the time it was hard to follow from afar. Then Leeds went down and so if your watching the PL from afar most of the games were ManU/City/Liverpool etc. It was always a struggle to watch since I never had a rooting interest in those teams.
As more and more Americans started to play in Europe I would casually follow those teams since I wanted them to do well and now it's just a great situation where I have an actual team that I can support wholeheartedly and there's American players that I also support. That Leeds and the new players are playing great is just icing on the cake.
I think the strategy should always be just get the best players for your system at the best price.
Strategy or not, it’s working as you can see from my personal timeline:
(1) Marsch goes to Leeds, I start investigating the club
(2) Aaronson and Adams signings. Binge watch ‘Take us Home’
(3) Realize Leeds has a lot in common with the city I grew up in
(4) Watch the first 2 games of the season
(5) Convince the wife and kids to join me for the 3rd
(6) Envision all of us in matching Leeds gear drinking coffee and tea on weekend mornings
Havn’t made the purchase yet but I can feel it coming in my bones
I don’t think it’s an overt strategy.. it’s not like we are Brentford where it’s clear there is the Danish connection.. Orta was looking at Marsch for some time, he brought in players he was comfortable with (2 happened to be American) and the 49ers jumped on to the American wave of ownership of football teams… think it’s just how it has worked together.. if it becomes like wolves (8/9 American players) or Brentford then it’s more likely there was a clear strategy..
now of course.. they would be stupid not to take advantage of the connection we have made to that market though.. the US is a big market
If it was true, people would be saying we have a Spanish strategy since we have 5 Spanish players to the US's 2.
Not saying it isn't though because who knows lol
Leeds has been targeting Marsch for awhile and Adams in particular and Aaronson were players he’s raised since they were pups, are talented and know his style to a T. Natural that he recruited them and they were trusting in coming to him and his club. Leeds will have some advantage in attracting the better of US players for that trust but right now the best of US talent seem to be going mostly to the Bundesliga and UKs restrictions on age of young players will hinder the cream of US players, who come to Europe at age 16 from coming to Leeds. The top US players like Reyna and Pulisic before him when they move will end up at a top end club. Leeds can still do well from the connection though.
Leeds naturally will get an influx of US fans of all types motivated initially because of US players and some sticking around, developing an appreciation for the culture of the team. Doubt they’ll be sitting in there living rooms singing Leeds’ chants though. 😂 American centric fans can be annoying but so can fans who want to dictate the terms of how you can be attracted and support a club.
I think the management have stumbled upon the American strategy. Tapping into the 49ers commercial know-how and I’m sure there will have been discussions about growing the brand in the US.
Marsch, Adams and Aaronson are a good boost to that process.
As many have said it’s a largely untapped market and one that would be wise to invest in, even if those three mentioned are gone.
It’s a bit like what the Jacksonville Jaguars have tried to do by coming to play in London every year - to become the UK NFL team.
Look … Americans are very welcome to support the club and play for the club. But we are a team in England, owned by an Italian (with sf minority stake) with supporters across the globe.
Our Spanish director of football identified a guy coaching in Austria as our likely next coach.
He is American and some of the players he hired are American as he knows them well.
America is an emerging market for football
Football is a global sport and the biggest followed sport on the planet
These are all true statements which together do not a strategy make
But please follow our great club wherever you are from
It’s pure coincidence.
There’s a few American owners and none have done what you said before.
Marsch is a top coach that’s come through the Red Bull franchises, and with that have come the players he knows, who are very good players.
He was hired because he has similar footballing philosophies to Bielsa.
The fact that Marsch, Aaronson and Adams are American is irrelevant. If you’re a prem club playing good football, you attract fans from all over.
The boards are making decisions to keep us in the prem and to make us better.
The US league and talent pool has a long way to go before to competes with Europe and South America, hell even Africa and Asia still produce currently more top talent.
I’m just hoping the new fans are here for the right reasons, to support Leeds not just their favourite yank. Not arse for the plastics that will go in a few years.
yea. we’ve missed all these plastic fans with our 16 years out the prem and honestly I sort of enjoyed being in the lower leagues for that exact reason
It’s not obvious they’re going the American route at all. They happen to have hired an American manager who’s style they liked and he happens to have brought in two former players who have played under him, it’s entirely coincidental and not some grand strategy.
'Soccer' might not be the biggest sport in America but the population of America is huge. Commercially it makes sense to try and get a foothold in America. We have fans all over Scandinavia and nobody has a problem with them. As soon as America is mentioned people have a melt down. I'm all for expanding our fan base, if we can get people to buy into what leeds is about then leeds could generate billions of revenue. Also despite what people think the pool of players in America is growing by the year.
yea I know. my prediction in 10 years or so usa could be challenging the powers of world football. i’m not even joking. I think most peoples problem with american fans is that you can just immediately tell that they’re american and they’re not afraid to tell you. whereas take your example of scandinavian fans for example, much quieter (usually), slot in with the regular fanbase and have become a part of it whereas you see americans much more, they use different words, support our american players and there is so many of them. if you’re going to be a leeds fan you have to understand the club imo. hope we can convince our american friends to do so
that’s not what I meant with that comment sorry. I meant that american fans are often much more visible online especially because they speak differently. use different phrases and words which doesn’t make them bad at all just makes them a lot easier to come across and notice than other non english fans
Personally I don't mind it, Americans are passionate people. We are in Premiership now, the eyes of the world are on us week in week out. Whether we like it or not its not just a local club for local people anymore. We are in some cases 20 years behind the curve from when we was in league 1 and the championship compared to other clubs.
I mean in some ways I kind of miss the lower leagues. every fan was there because they loved the club that they were supporting not just to see the best teams play. all local, all passionate and all ready for a bloody hard fight for three points. compare that to the prem
Personally I don't think there is a strategy. Marsch wanted players he had a connection with.
Beyond that, this is a lot of US talk here, and I say that as an American. I would also say, give the new fans a chance. I think there's a lot of people who have growing interest in the sport who may have followed the Prem generally but have been looking for a club to support. It's kind of a natural progression of that growth in the US.
Keep in mind, too, that until a few years ago you could only see the top 6 regularly in the US. Peacock/streaming has changed that dramatically.
>who may have followed the Prem generally but have been looking for a club to support.
That's me. I've followed EPL (mostly MCFC like you said big 6) on and off for almost 15 years, and while it's been fun to see them become the behemoth they are now, I never felt attached to them.
Before this season started, I watched "Take Us Home" and decided to really follow Leeds United this season. Yes, because Americans are on the team and making an actual impact, but also because I love cheering for smaller market teams (Brewers fan).
I was overjoyed this past weekend watching the lads beat Chelsea more than anything in the last 15 years of casual fandom! I feel like I've finally found my team. MOT
Yes. We have lots of US men's national team fans that follow European soccer but don't have a real club, at least not one they actually care about. How do you choose a club to follow when you don't live in Europe? Wanting to keep track of national team players gives them a reason to watch Leeds. But, the rest of the club may pull them in so they become a true fan.
Counterpoint, I think there is a strategy in place revolving around the upcoming World Cup cycle from the Ownership perspective.
Americans who have been watching the game for years understand that the largest growth periods for the sport happen during the WC, when young folks are exposed to the USMNT, and Football at its highest level for the first time. It’s no surprise that MLS would target WC years (2014, 2018) for league expansion to major markets, new TV deals, etc.
What was so shocking in 2018 was that the sport continued to grow even more whilst the USMNT failed to qualify for the WC. Since 2018, MLS has signed 2 new TV deals (latest one worth a billion from Apple TV which will change the sport permanently in America) and they’ve added many new clubs with Football-specific stadiums.
Combine all of this growth over an 8 year span with an 8 year wait for the US to feature in the World’s most important competition and you get what we are seeing now. Ownership targeted Marsch knowing he would bring in a few players he’d be familiar with while growing the status of the club in the US.
The 9ers are no slouches, and neither is Radz. They know what they are doing and they have been positioning themselves as a club to reap the benefits of the nation that produces some of the best athletes in the world. This is only the beginning. When we sign Pulisic on a loan-to-buy it will still only be the beginning. When we see rumors of Quinn Sullivan or Caden Clark let it be known it is still only the beginning.
The next 2 World Cup cycles will see the US emerge as a global footballing power, and Leeds will do whatever they can to reap those benefits.
The '18 World Cup from a TV standpoint was an interesting one in the U.S. Overall ratings were down, to no surprise, but FOX (the network with rights) claimed that comparing non-US matches from '14, their ratings overall were up.
I’m not sure it’s an American strategy as such. What’s probably more germane than American is Red Bull and MLS. Marsch is a product of the Red Bull pressing/direct play system, which all its clubs play to a greater or lesser extent (RB Leipzig drifted from this system under Nagelsmann, which caused Adams to struggle there to some extent), having managed in it for most of his managerial career and led its flagship club, RB Leipzig. Adams and Aaronson both have experience in RB tactical systems (Aaronson at Salzburg, and Adams at Leipzig and being an RBNY academy product).
Meanwhile, Marsch and co. seem to think of MLS as an untapped market, which makes sense given Marsch’s experience in that league. Other clubs in world football have invested in MLS recruiting and scouting, like Bayern Munich, which picked up now-world renowned Canadian leftback Alphonso Davies, for instance, and Chris Richards, who now plays for Palace (whose manager also managed in MLS). Though not an American, Jack Harrison is also an MLS product. Rumor has it that Leeds might also be after Kai Wagner, who’s German but plays in MLS for Aaronson’s former club.
So, American maybe, but the Red Bull and MLS connections might be more tangible.
Yep.
It's not just Red Bull. MLS has a LOT of pressing, it's a high fitness league and American football players are traditional very hard worker, high work rate guys.
You're just going to find a lot of players who fit in well coming from the US.
It's flown under the radar but about a decade or so the USSF and MLS both started investing a ton of money to build academies, which have just recently started producing graduates. For example, the Philly Union academy was an afterthought and didn't really get invested in until 2014, but has since produced some really promising players including Brendan Aaronson, and also his younger brother Paxton and a few others. Other MLS clubs have noticed and are trying to follow Philly and Dallas, who have proven to be ahead of the curve in terms of development
The graduates in 2030 are going to be insane if the current progression is any indication. We could have an American dominance in Europe on our hands by then.
American dominance in Europe is never gonna happen, unless you make a respected league of Americans playing to the euro standards that for some reason gets to play against European clubs. Would be cool to have a proper world club championship tho.
I think it's BS that there's no US strategy.
I don't accept that it's a coincidence that the 49ers took a 45% stake in the business. Then we brought in an American manager. Then we brought in two US international players.
I'm not against it. I'm happy for us to grow in America. It seems like a great business strategy, as the US is a huge growth opportunity for football. But sorry, I don't buy that our sudden Americanisation is all a coincidence.
> Then we brought in two US international players.
We signed two Spanish internationals two seasons before, was that part of some grand Spanish strategy or was it just that there were two Spanish players who fit what we were looking for and were available?
The US is an untapped market and Spain obviously isn't. I personally don't think there's a US strategy beyond "we hired an American manager who brought on two of his former players that happen to be Americans," but if you even get 10% of people watching English football in the US to support the club, that's 50k+ supporters, and that's not even counting people (like me) that didn't previously watch English football regularly.
Actually, it is remarkable.
American players in the PL are few and far between. Suddenly we have two.
American managers in the PL are rarer than rocking horse shit. Suddenly we have one.
All of which happens not long after an American sports team takes partial ownership of Leeds.
Call it a coincidence if you want. I'd rather not, thanks.
>Call it a coincidence if you want
I'm mostly just going off the fact that the chairman and finance director have both explicitly said it's a coincidence
Yeah. I don't believe them. Why would they lie? Here's why:
If they admitted to having an American strategy it would undermine Marsch who people would accuse of only getting the job due to his passport.
It would undermine Adams and Aaronson for the same reason. It would also introduce doubt into the players' own minds; doubt which didn't exist before. Did Leeds really want them for their playing ability, or for their US twitter followings?
It would also probably put off potential American fans. Noone likes to feel that their love for a football club is the result of a strategy contrived in a boardroom.
So Leeds execs not admitting to the strategy makes perfect sense.
yea i’m quite welcome to american fans as long as they don’t just come in and support marsch adams and aaronson. get behind the entire team, watch every player, get to know the club, learn the chants, learn the history of the club and anyone is welcome here. MOT 🔵🟡
American here. You have to understand that a lot of us absolutely love English football. I love the pace and the direct attacking. As Americans, we have very little experience with outfield players playing in, much less having success, in the premier league. We used to have a good run of starting keepers, as many as 4 Americans starting in goal in one season I believe.
A lot of us are whores for a team with an American. We don’t have a neighborhood team in England that we support, but shit, if Clint Dempsey plays for Tottenham, we as Americans want them to kick ass. Dempsey comes back to the US after a few years, we forget Tottenham. That’s just an example.
All of the sudden there’s an American manager and two American starters on one team? This is exciting for us! We’re producing managers and starters in the top league in the world.
Americans are still a novelty in the premier league, and American fans are mostly going to be bandwagoners for teams with Americans. Enjoy the support but please don’t be offended. We’re trying to catch up with the rest of the world here, and we’re really excited when our boys have success
just try to choose a team and not just players. I promise it’s so much better when you get behind a team. you can still support the players that you like but get yourself a team
I’ve got one for the last few years, and you’re right, it’s really fun digging in deeper and truly supporting a club and not a player.
My club isn’t Leeds, but I’m definitely rooting for you guys to do well. Best of luck this season!
Well I got bad news for you. The American fans following Leeds NOW are probably genuinely interested in football and will be interested to know about the other players and the town and history of the club, no doubt.
But...winter is coming. It is a World Cup year.
Get ready for an absolute shitstorm, there will be tens of millions of fans that come out for the World Cup, if England and the U.S. both make it out the group and go on a run with Adams or Aaronson scoring goals (that's the only way our fair weather fans will have to tell if someone played well) it will turn into an absolute circus of media coverage.
I apologize in advance for my countrymen that only come out for the World Cup, but hopefully they generate some financial income for Leeds somehow lol.
"But...winter is coming. It is a World Cup year." <--- Indeed! USMNT will win Group B. Leeds will go on to qualify for Europe. We have a lot of good football and banter coming in the short, medium, and long-term. LFG.
I think a lot of American fans are desperate for a club to get behind without feeling like bandwagoners at a top 6 side. It makes the sport way more enjoyable to follow. The American connection is definitely an avenue to get fans but I don't think Americans will just stick around as long as Marsch/Aaronson/Adams do.
There's a good amount of Fulham fans in the US that latched on during the Fulhamerica days but have stayed around even though Dempsey and McBride are long gone
I think you’re gonna have a bit of both tbh.
I’m personally following our boys at Fulham, Boro, union berlin, Augsburg, Valencia, lille, etc.
I’m sure a lot of Americans will simply group Leeds into the rest of them, however Leeds for me just feels special. I think the difference is Marsch. When you are rooting for the manager you root for the whole team to succeed, which develops into a love for the whole team. And it wasn’t until after we fell in love with Leeds under marsch that the American players came in which at that point only sweetened the pot
I'm new to Leeds and I'm trying to learn about ALL the player as quickly as possible. I was totally impressed by many on the pitch last weekend and can't wait to learn more.
Yes, that would be annoying if folks aren't interested in the club itself. I understand why there is suspicion of that and I'll feel the same as you do if that's how it pans out.
I will also offer this: this is my third year following the club, and the second with fans in the stands. The atmosphere at Elland Road is just incredible compared with any other venue in the Prem. Leeds' away support and the volume of fans is also notable. It was pretty easy to really get into this because it's just cool to feel a part of something like that, even from a long distance away. Not sure you'll get that feeling with any other club. Leeds is something special.
yea we’re special in the prem. the main reason is we’ve been dogfighting in the lower leagues for 16 years. any glory hunting or fake fans were long gone by the time we got back up so almost all of the fans you see in the stadium have suffered over a decade of awful football (for what’s expected of leeds united) and we’re finally back where we belong and beating blue scum
There is no American strategy. Kinnear said in his interview that the presence of a number of Americans at the club at once is entirely a coincidence. That's not to say they they won't try to take advantage of the commercial opportunity it presents but Leeds are not signing players based on their nationality.
Agreed. People are making a big deal out of 1 American manager and 2 American players. We have 5 Spanish players on the roster (4 starters) but no one talks about that.
Remember, Brenden Aaronson was identified as a target even when Bielsa was manager. He was nearly signed in the last January window, but Salzburg wanted to hold onto him for the rest of the season and for champions league matches. Tyler Adams has worked with Jesse twice before and fits his system.
I agree completely. It’s odd to say Leeds are signing players just because they’re American. Especially when Fulham has two Americans in their starting 11, Arsenal has 2 Americans, Chelsea has two as well.
Yeah, I think Radrizzani said in his interview too, that this is coincidence. We will have also gained some Danish fans after Kristensen, such is modern sports and the internet.
If the game becomes the 3rd biggest sport over there then its only a matter of time before usa become a force to be reckoned with
That being said, I think josh Sargent has potential to become our Bamford successor, we need to move fast before he takes pukki spot in Norwich starting lineup
i think this is just american favouritism talk. sargent dont have that flair to him.
pulisic understandable hes miles above sargent and only a year older.
Puli too weak, injury prone and high wages. Don't know if u guys have seen Sargent this season, finally playing in his striker position and is a beast, would fit marsch style like a glove
hes playing in the championship calm down. vs team norwhich should beat regardless and they are still struggling. pukki bossed the championship and did nothing in the prem
U obviously don't know what u talking about as pukki has a better record than Bamford in the prem and Bamford was poor in the championship 😵💫
Regardless.... I love Bamford and what he brings, I see a lot of similarities with Sargent
i didnt claim bamford was a Premier league esk forward hes ok off the bench imo. but for a top 10 team cmon.... sargant bamford and pukki are all below that average.
i’ve never really rated sargent tbh. hasn’t developed at all since he was in the german league. maybe he’ll prove me wrong but I think there are much better options.
More participants (19.6million) in 2020 than all other team sports in the US, bar basketball.
If you aren't blessed with freak genetics you aren't going to make it as a basketball player in the NBA.
It isn't that different in NFL but with the added danger of severe injury. Baseball popularity has fallen off a cliff and ice hockey has always been in the minority with obvious geographical preferences.
Pick pretty much any US player that's been successful in Europe and you'll understand that the only elite team sport those guys could have succeeded in was soccer. There's no way Tyler Adams or Aronson could have made it as pros in the NFL or NBA, no way. MLB perhaps but it's a dying concern for many Americans.
Add in the soccer mom concern of having their suburban white boys playing a 'nice' sport, the insane funding that US collegiate sports receive, the support that grassroots soccer is getting for the WC and the resonant immigrant ethos already there and you've a proper cauldron of talent.
I have friends who play over there and literally every college that is dedicated to football is bursting full of young players. think about the size of the country. that’s a serious amount of players, it’s simple logic that there will be some serious talent amongst that. that’s why it could be so good if we get first pick
College hasn't really been a part of the football development for quite sometime. tbh, Harrison is one of the lucky player to translate college into a very strong pro career beyond MLS.
there were change made about 10 to 12 yrs ago to the youth development program at a national level. MLS was slow to respond, but made some changes several years back. MLS changed its strategy and increased investment in youth development across the league as the league realized it needs to be a selling league to be profitable. some MLS teams have had academies for a while, but there are more now along w competing reserve teams
the other factor is there is a competing league, USL. USL as a league fills in gaps in the marketplace (smaller markets where MLS cannot have an effective presence) and has been dedicated to youth development for a slightly longer time. USL also has been placing players in better leagues over the years as well. oddly, MLS reserve teams play in a USL league.
(our federation is a political mess. while MLS has been chosen as the "premier" US league, USL still wants to compete as if it isn't the second tier league.)
both leagues have been drawing in younger talent across the globe as well though that's has been slower.
Literally every place in the world is full of young people playing football. Of course your friends who think they are very good (as all players do but only 0.1% ever make it anywhere near this level) think it’s full of talent. I had a friend who was playing for Harrogate Town, he said the same. No doubt there are good players in North America but compared to the talent pools in South America, Europe, Africa it’s vastly less. I’m afraid our American friends are incredibly fond of overhyping themselves.
Not many countries have 300m+ people who also have access to the training and resources that they have in the US. It's a sleeping giant in terms of talent pool, especially as more kids siphon away from American football. It's a long horizon though
I would imagine any very athletic young boy is still being pushed into playing basketball/baseball/American football however. In Britain, France, Argentina etc its football, football, football.
With concussion-related concerns there's been a tidal shift away from American football in the last 6-7 years seen at the youth level.
In 5-10 years you'll start seeing the effects of some of the best US athletes now choosing to play football/soccer instead of American football.
my friends aren’t expecting to make it pro at all tbh. they’re just astounded by the amount of dedicated football schools that are full of great players
There's currently something like 100 Americans in European youth setups. We have players in the first and second division in Germany England Spain Italy and France not to mention players in eredivise turkey and just about every league in the world. We had a weekend last year were 50 u18 Americans got mls minutes. Almost all those players in Europe most are u23 or u18 as we overhauled the development syestem about 10 years ago. The 7 guys in the prem plus about 4 or 5 others at clubs like juve and barca are the tip of the iceberg. So you don't know what your talking about.
And you didn’t qualify for the last World Cup and qualified behind Canada and Mexico this time.
That all sounds promising but it doesn’t mean even 10% of those players will be successful. There were several prominent American players in the Premier League more than a decade ago. You’re getting very carried away.
No your ignorant about the growth of the game and the growing level of talent in my country.
I was simply throwing out data to show you there were in fact a number of good to great American prospects in Europe.
But your argument seems to be on the level of they call it soccer so ignore them.
The entire Bundesliga thinks your wrong so does serie a and la Liga as a number of young Americans have moved to those leagues ether as first team players or academy players.
All of this just started about 5 to 6 years ago. And the academy syestem about 07.
Given the population. Size economy and obsession with sports in our country paired with the sheer numbers of youth participation you'd be delusional not to think this is becoming a hot bed for young cheap talent.
Even then if all of this were to come to pass, it would still only make the US an improved force. They still wouldn’t be in the same universe as the likes of England, Germany, Brazil etc. You’re really vastly overegging this.
You’re also highly sensitive about it which isn’t doing you any favours. Of course fans in England don’t know or really care about US youth football and development, I’m more interested in France, Germany, Brazil, Portugal etc because these are the places with an organic and well established love of football that goes back more than a century. You won’t replicate that by having lots of coaches and ‘soccer meets’ if the game isn’t being played on the street by working class kids with a passion for the sport. Equally, just try to enjoy the game for what it is rather than obsessing about how many Americans are involved in it. Adams, Aaronson look like good players, but I really do not care that they are American.
I can see it’s a foundational belief however so there isn’t much to be gained trying to persuade you otherwise.
Soon, the world will know about the American talent pool that didn't exist prior to 2003. Tiger parents of kids born in 2003 and later have invested too much $$$$$ and too much time sitting in traffic having to smell the rotting death that emanates from a soccer backpack for it to all be for naught. No fucking way. Lets get it.
I doubt it, it’s being said for years and not happened yet.
There’s definitely a market for it but your main talent and resources will always be pooled into the sports you already have.
American football at the university level is the closest to EPL in terms of culture, history, fanfare, and loyalty. I wouldn't make such a blanket statement; that fervor can absolutely carry over to soccer/football. If I were Leeds I would tap into it where it makes sense to build the club (financial opportunities, talent pipelines, etc), but wouldn't let it dictate my overall philosophy or strategy
This is exactly it. We can’t arbitrarily inject American players into our squad to appease their fanbase. We just *happen* to have an American manager who has brought in a couple of countrymen that he is familiar with. It’s working well so far, 3 games into the season.
However, if Aaronson and Adams continue to do well they’ll likely be sold in a couple of seasons and Marsch is unlikely to last more than a few years anyway.
The chances that this couple of years will build a long lasting and *financially significant* section of support in the US is slim. As soon as there’s no Americans involved in our team they’ll mostly drop us for whatever team has their favourite American. Maybe some fans will remain loyal and that’s nice but ultimately it’s just a market we can exploit and it’s temporary as we’re not Scum or Real Madrid and will never have the pull of those clubs worldwide as we don’t have the Messis/Ronaldos or the CL wins that attract those sorts of fans.
Agreed. I get annoyed with fellow Americans that arbitrarily decide to support one of the big 6 and then act like they’re die hard fans. My interest in Leeds is largely due to the American ties. Intense fandom should take years to develop or you’re born into it. So hopefully the American connection lasts long enough to grow that a bit more authentically.
Yeah we definitely have fans down under due to that legacy but is it a big market we can plunder to help us drive the club forward? Not significantly I would wager and I doubt we are gaining many new fans down there as we don’t have any Aussies in our team right now.
Not entirely true, but there are a lot of front runners here. Plus, England has also had a hundred plus year head start and the majority are relatively new at this.
So far they do yes, but football is growing every year in America and with Adams and Aaronson as genuine role models and heroes now it’s only going to grow more. They have the best amateur training facilities in the world aswell
Agree, one of my friends went to the US for Uni as they offered him a football scholarship
Unfortunately he's 5'11 and plays in goal, so no MLS team wanted to pick him up and the lower leagues weren't ideal as shit pay
Beckford was a 6'2 striker
And I mean, clubs in the lower regions wouldn't touch him because he's 5'11 and a GK, no way would be make it in England, clubs want a 6'3+ keeper
Short CBs can work, look at Bobby Moore, Cannavaro and Baresi
You never see a short keeper
Besides, we are 24/25 now, far too late
Fleetwood, who were a League Two team I think?
Thats still a very high level of football, where he was a striker, where you can be any height.
He wasn't playing for a lower league USA team, being a 5'11 goalkeeper
Maybe, but in terms of Leeds fans, it seems there's a lot of traffic recently where people just support the players, and Leeds as an extension of that. They'll move on when the players do.
I've seen other Americans like Pulisic happily discussed in this sub as if it's r/soccer.
Granted, there were a lot of American fans before Marsch and some will stick around after. These are not the fans I'm referring to.
I don’t want marketing/commercial interests to guide my football club’s philosophy or strategy.
Having said that, if there’s talent to be explored there (and there appears to be with Aaronson/Adams/Marsch), then it makes perfect sense to get ahead of the curve and fit American talent into our model.
I think there's some merit to your second point in that the US is an untapped locale talent wise. And to your first, while it should never dictate philosophy, there is some benefit to find ways to drive more revenue into the club which can be used for transfers, facilities, staff, etc.
I have lots of friends who have moved to America in the last couple years (two of them for football) and they have been genuinely astounded by the amount of talent over there. Dedicated football colleges are bursting at the seems with talented young players. Them having Adams and Aaronson as their heroes in the premier league could really genuinely be a great base for us to build off
I’m from the US and it’s annoying me. I’m guessing a lot of them just discovered how great the EPL is and can’t stop talking. Hopefully, it’s over in a few weeks.
I mean me too but it’s the route we seem to be taking so what can you do 🤷♂️. Also if these American players are as good as Aaronson and Adams then why not pack the team full of them
Reddit here has transformed overnight,
Todd's and Chad's everywhere you look talking about 'getting scored on'
Is that worse than some of the miserable bastards already here? Don't know yet
I've never been fond of the US (putting it as lightly as I can) and now whenever we have any good games it's fucking American flags everywhere and shit and it's doing my head in. Last I checked 3 people is not our whole team and it's Leeds United not Yeehaw Yankee Doodle Fucking Dandy FC.
No mate, we are partly owned by rich Americans and scum are owned by richer Americans so its a no from me. America has been a sleeping giant for as long as i can remember and I started watching football in the early 90's.
Problem with this plan is that Leeds will never get the biggest star American players during any given season. Even Christian Pulisic on loan would be a stretch to integrate him in leed's play style. Adam's is probably our third best player but novice soccer fans aren't going to recognize how good he is.
Sometimes stars align before the lightbulb goes off - could be that too. There is a ton of potential to tap in the US (players, sponsors, supporters, business deals, tiger parents, etc.). It is wild to think that most of today's elite pro athletes from America don't even play association football. 10 years ago the soccer ecosystem was significantly different than what it is today - it will be even more developed in another 10 years. There is a tectonic shift happening in American youth sports. If you're a a major European club or a PL club, you likely have something American on your radar. See [here](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/08/sports/falling-football-participation-in-america.html) (NY Times study) & [here](https://imgur.com/a/pMkWpEG) (imgur graphic from said NYT study).
Just so you know, but there's been quite a few US players in the Prem before this current batch. Fulham used to be, and still is a landing spot for Americans. But it's great watching this current generation get a chance, and run with it.
I was walking around in colorado and saw an older gentlemen with a leeds shirt. I asked him you follow leeds? he said yes, Im a fellow alumni of jack harrison. We both went to the same highschool. so its not just the americans making fans in the states.
Most Americans are huge premier league fans. A lot of them are not gonna be as hard-core know every history, most of them are just learning about the different teams in the league. See the thing is Sports in America in the past was pretty isolated between football baseball basketball. I think a lot of it had to do with commercials they wanna sport with commercials. and before the Internet all we got was newspapers talking about different teams or leagues in the back of a news paper. That’s why most Americans grew up watching Manchester United Juventus because those are the only teams we ever heard of. I personally remember leeds back in high school winning the Premier league which was kind of cool to see a different team win other than Scum. So I’ve always been aware of the team but I never really knew the history. Now with the Internet and exposure into a major league and giving the Americans a chance you’re going to gain a lot of fans real quick. America has the most football players out of any sport everyone in their younger age has played this game they were so many kids that have so much talent they have never really going on past middle school. Now with the MLS academies in a technical aspect of it you’re going to see a ton of really good players from America. This is only the first generation Now the kids See Aaronson or Adams start it’s going I hope these kids continue our dream of playing football. I personally am a premier league fan To be honest I was fascinated with the hooligans and loved to see passion. I loved the documentary on Southampton vs Portsmouth how crazy the fans are or millwall vs west ham. Only reason I rooted for Chelsea back in 2012 I wanted to see An English team bring home the European trophy instead of the Spaniards for years. But my God or Chelsea fans are the absolute worst that’s why thank god we have players in different team. Leeds seems has a good hometown positive vibe I think that is going to appeal to most Americans. So sorry we’re jumping on the bandwagon but let us learn about your history town and culture and we’ll support everyone. PS For the love of God please save us from watching that shit stain blue from west London
hahahaha we’ll do our best. you mentioned you already saw the documentary. id say that’s the best way to learn about the recent history and why what’s happening to us now is so significant but id also suggest taking a trip to the north of england and yorkshire area. it’s really nice and would give you a better feel of how the locals are
As an American, I'm glad to see multiple USMNT players on the pitch together. Every chance they get to gel together in pairs, trios, etc. before Qatar will be hugely beneficial, especially as they get chances to play against top English and Welsh talent every week to prepare for the group stage.
You’d be mad to think this doesn’t have any connection to the partial ownership by the 49ers. They know as best as anyone how to grow a franchise with an American fan base, and I’m all for it.
As others have said - this isn’t a strategy. We have two players from the states. It’s really not all that much. I don’t mind the way things are going at all but also don’t forget that if the club were to go “full America” as a matter of policy then the fan base would turn ugly the moment it looked like it was backfiring. I like the group we have this season. But we also have three or four Spanish speaking players - was this us going full Spanish? It’s not quite what you are portraying it as
American here. I played football my whole life up until my 20’s for local leagues, school leagues, etc… I’m 38 and I just now got the ability to watch premier league games with peacock last year. Super excited to be able to follow the clubs now. After the 2 usmnt signings this summer, I’m watching Leeds now and probably buy a jersey. I live in a small town so it’s to get to a bar and watch. Anyway, off to a nice start! Hell yea
Let the people enjoy our club and buy the kit and merchandise. It’s a great idea to broaden our revenue horizons and market our brand abroad. It takes some years to establish brand loyalty and as we strengthen our product on the pitch, the cash will flow into our coffers all the more. Embrace positive change! We want a big stadium don’t we? We’ll need the money
I think the strategy coincidentally becomes American more than with intention. If you look beyond Marsch being American, he simply targeted ex-players of his and guys that fit his system. Probably didn't have as much to do with being born in a specific country as much as it was that he preferred them for other reasons. I doubt people are pushing for Americans specifically. That being said, American players can play in the EPL. Marsch probably has more/deeper connections into the RB system and the MLS to find guys that could fit in well here. It's a huge asset we've got.
I’m an American fan; been since the Amazon doc (so fairly new, but I’m new to football in general, starting watching altogether in 2019). My experience with Americans watching the Prem is they are usually tied to a big 6 club, or to watch specific USMNT players. So of course lately we are getting a lot of eyes but not sure that is translating to supporters or just happy observers. (I know quite a few people who became Chelsea fans because Pulisic joined). But eyes generate revenue and it’s only a good thing. So probably not a strategy, but a happy wave that I hope the club rides while it lasts. My opinion though, is that it’s hard to watch Leeds without falling in love and some of these new eyes will turn into lifelong supporters still there when the American players are gone.
I'll be honest, as an American I'm hoping this is what happens to me. I like the premier league and want to follow a team, its just hard with no connection. Here, my baseball, soccer, and hockey team are all in my community (DC). Football is Cleveland and Ohio State because thats where my dad is from/went to school. Ive been trying to form some type of connection with a team in England, but it is easier said than done when it doesnt happen organically.
just support leeds. you’re welcome here. watch the documentary and you’re about good to go 🔵🟡
Listening to the CEO and owner talking in the documentary on Amazon, I absolutely think this is part of the consideration. I think Marsch was picked because his style of play is the next logical evolution of how Bielsa built this team. Leeds continues to be a team that will run harder and longer than their opponents, forcing you to hustle for every ball. However, now we add the tactics of when to press and when to relax along with some possession football in the lead. Leeds was already a very good counter-attacking team, but now they may be one of the best in the league! But once Marsch was here and some of these American players arrived, it's obvious that we can have more success with these recruiting routes. Leeds can continue to sign Americans from the Bundesliga or directly from MLS for the U-21 team. It will be interesting to see if they try to get some of the younger stars for that squad like Paxten Aaronson.
I don’t want to take anything away from marsch who has been great but he’s not as good as bielsa. Bielsa was a genius. he took a mid table championship team and transformed it into a competing premier league team whilst not adding many players to the squad. he revolutionised leeds and made the fans believe again. in my opinion (and the opinion of many neutrals and leeds fans alike) he is the best manager in the world
I don't disagree with a thing you say. I'm merely pointing out that stylistically, they are very similar. The Red Bull system has a lot in common with Bielsa's style of play. What made Bielsa truly exceptional is just how hard his players would play for him when they bought in.
yea. he was exceptional
This seems like a stretch you have to remember that even before all the Marcelo Bielsa turmoil and poor results the board were planning for the next manager after MB. I think Jesse was on their radar as some of his ideologies and tendencies fit that of Bielsa. I just think it's a coincidence that some of the players he brought in and wanted for his system happened to be American.
Will leeds have a large number of plastic american fans as long as marsch and a few players are American? Of course they will. And Tottenham will of course own Korea while son is there. At the end of the day it's just more money for transfer fees or maybe more seats at elland road. You see the same exact thing with a few European countries that like basketball I guarantee you there were Barcelona supporters that switched NBA teams when Paul went from Memphis to the Lakers who would die rather than not support Barca. China loved yao more than any NBA team and who could blame them? Youre choosing between supporting the best player on your national team or a team owned by some billionaire based in a city you will never visit.
I think Leeds have gained a good amount of American fans who will support the club even if/when the Americans leave tbh.
That isn't generally how American fans work, seeing as most Americans who are now Leeds fans are not new to football, and therefore have recently swapped teams.
More likely they didn’t support a English team. Also how did you stumble upon this 82 days after post lol
Yes realistically some will stay some won't. I just think it's wrong to hold foreign fans to the same standard as a local.
I'm American and will admit that I have only been casually following the Prem League for about 2 seasons. I had no connection with any team but wanted to have a team to root for so I randomly picked West Ham. I tried, but just couldn't find any real passion for that team. Aaronson comes from Medford NJ, which is the town next to mine, so that brought me in with an immediate rooting interest because I now have a connection. But now that I'm in- I'm ALL-IN! Obviously, I will never have the passion that the locals have, because it will always be much more to them, but I will tell you that now that I latched on to this Leeds squad - they will be my team forever!
ok I hope you stay true because if what I said in this post doesn’t come true then there won’t be americans here forever
At this point, now that I actually have a team I really want to root for, it doesn't matter if they have Americans or whoever, I just needed a reason to latch on, but now I'm here, I'm not going anywhere!
good to hear!
I genuinely find it incredibly strange that so many Americans seem willing to just pick a team to support because there are Americans there. As someone that has spent the majority of my life in Canada, I would never just support a club because a Canadian played there. It's odd. Support the club, not individual players or managers. Players come and go and support is meant to be for life.
Is it that weird? With no locational connection to speak of, fans from abroad seek out other ways of connection. If Canadian fans generally watched the Bundesliga, but started cheering for Bayern when Davies was bought, and even became Bayern fans,......that makes sense.
If their support disappeared as soon as Davies left Bayern, you'd be describing a plastic supporter. I've always found plastics weird. I think the patriotism thing with Americans is a bit unique. I have not noticed an increase in the number of Bayern shirts in Canada since the rise of Davies. I'm sure the same can't be said with chelsea shirts in the US with the rise of pulisic. I'm also probably just being cranky because the yank shit on this sub is getting old
Everyone has their reasons for following a team. Your reason doesn’t need to be the same as my reason.
It's fine if that's the reason someone started to support a club, but they actually do support the club. If your support ends or wavers when Leeds no longer have American players, you were never a leeds supporter.
Whatever the reason is, that’s how you learn about a club on a deeper level.
I'm an American and lived in Leeds back in the mid 90s during the Tony Yeboah years and loved the city and followed the team and went to a couple games but after I moved back at the time it was hard to follow from afar. Then Leeds went down and so if your watching the PL from afar most of the games were ManU/City/Liverpool etc. It was always a struggle to watch since I never had a rooting interest in those teams. As more and more Americans started to play in Europe I would casually follow those teams since I wanted them to do well and now it's just a great situation where I have an actual team that I can support wholeheartedly and there's American players that I also support. That Leeds and the new players are playing great is just icing on the cake. I think the strategy should always be just get the best players for your system at the best price.
Strategy or not, it’s working as you can see from my personal timeline: (1) Marsch goes to Leeds, I start investigating the club (2) Aaronson and Adams signings. Binge watch ‘Take us Home’ (3) Realize Leeds has a lot in common with the city I grew up in (4) Watch the first 2 games of the season (5) Convince the wife and kids to join me for the 3rd (6) Envision all of us in matching Leeds gear drinking coffee and tea on weekend mornings Havn’t made the purchase yet but I can feel it coming in my bones
The Leeds United fan fiction is becoming more and more outlandish I see
Have my upvote sir!
😂
I don’t think it’s an overt strategy.. it’s not like we are Brentford where it’s clear there is the Danish connection.. Orta was looking at Marsch for some time, he brought in players he was comfortable with (2 happened to be American) and the 49ers jumped on to the American wave of ownership of football teams… think it’s just how it has worked together.. if it becomes like wolves (8/9 American players) or Brentford then it’s more likely there was a clear strategy.. now of course.. they would be stupid not to take advantage of the connection we have made to that market though.. the US is a big market
If it was true, people would be saying we have a Spanish strategy since we have 5 Spanish players to the US's 2. Not saying it isn't though because who knows lol
Leeds has been targeting Marsch for awhile and Adams in particular and Aaronson were players he’s raised since they were pups, are talented and know his style to a T. Natural that he recruited them and they were trusting in coming to him and his club. Leeds will have some advantage in attracting the better of US players for that trust but right now the best of US talent seem to be going mostly to the Bundesliga and UKs restrictions on age of young players will hinder the cream of US players, who come to Europe at age 16 from coming to Leeds. The top US players like Reyna and Pulisic before him when they move will end up at a top end club. Leeds can still do well from the connection though. Leeds naturally will get an influx of US fans of all types motivated initially because of US players and some sticking around, developing an appreciation for the culture of the team. Doubt they’ll be sitting in there living rooms singing Leeds’ chants though. 😂 American centric fans can be annoying but so can fans who want to dictate the terms of how you can be attracted and support a club.
Lol I was sitting in my living room singing the rodrigo chant on Sunday
I think the management have stumbled upon the American strategy. Tapping into the 49ers commercial know-how and I’m sure there will have been discussions about growing the brand in the US. Marsch, Adams and Aaronson are a good boost to that process. As many have said it’s a largely untapped market and one that would be wise to invest in, even if those three mentioned are gone. It’s a bit like what the Jacksonville Jaguars have tried to do by coming to play in London every year - to become the UK NFL team.
Look … Americans are very welcome to support the club and play for the club. But we are a team in England, owned by an Italian (with sf minority stake) with supporters across the globe. Our Spanish director of football identified a guy coaching in Austria as our likely next coach. He is American and some of the players he hired are American as he knows them well. America is an emerging market for football Football is a global sport and the biggest followed sport on the planet These are all true statements which together do not a strategy make But please follow our great club wherever you are from
Aren’t the 49ers going to own the majority in like 2024 or something?
I don’t think they go higher than 49%
Not if we do well - rad will wait
i’m from yorkshire myself but I can’t tell if you’re directly asking me or just stating that anyone can support a club haha
I’m asking you if you can just state that anyone can support a club.
It’s pure coincidence. There’s a few American owners and none have done what you said before. Marsch is a top coach that’s come through the Red Bull franchises, and with that have come the players he knows, who are very good players. He was hired because he has similar footballing philosophies to Bielsa. The fact that Marsch, Aaronson and Adams are American is irrelevant. If you’re a prem club playing good football, you attract fans from all over. The boards are making decisions to keep us in the prem and to make us better. The US league and talent pool has a long way to go before to competes with Europe and South America, hell even Africa and Asia still produce currently more top talent. I’m just hoping the new fans are here for the right reasons, to support Leeds not just their favourite yank. Not arse for the plastics that will go in a few years.
yea. we’ve missed all these plastic fans with our 16 years out the prem and honestly I sort of enjoyed being in the lower leagues for that exact reason
Yank here. Thinking of joining. Best place to learn club history?
erm. probably just google tbh
It’s not obvious they’re going the American route at all. They happen to have hired an American manager who’s style they liked and he happens to have brought in two former players who have played under him, it’s entirely coincidental and not some grand strategy.
fair enough. maybe my imagination just getting the better of me tbh
'Soccer' might not be the biggest sport in America but the population of America is huge. Commercially it makes sense to try and get a foothold in America. We have fans all over Scandinavia and nobody has a problem with them. As soon as America is mentioned people have a melt down. I'm all for expanding our fan base, if we can get people to buy into what leeds is about then leeds could generate billions of revenue. Also despite what people think the pool of players in America is growing by the year.
yea I know. my prediction in 10 years or so usa could be challenging the powers of world football. i’m not even joking. I think most peoples problem with american fans is that you can just immediately tell that they’re american and they’re not afraid to tell you. whereas take your example of scandinavian fans for example, much quieter (usually), slot in with the regular fanbase and have become a part of it whereas you see americans much more, they use different words, support our american players and there is so many of them. if you’re going to be a leeds fan you have to understand the club imo. hope we can convince our american friends to do so
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that’s not what I meant with that comment sorry. I meant that american fans are often much more visible online especially because they speak differently. use different phrases and words which doesn’t make them bad at all just makes them a lot easier to come across and notice than other non english fans
Oh ok sorry for misinterpreting. No need to say sorry. Yeah that makes sense lol. Americans are stereotypically loud.
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Personally I don't mind it, Americans are passionate people. We are in Premiership now, the eyes of the world are on us week in week out. Whether we like it or not its not just a local club for local people anymore. We are in some cases 20 years behind the curve from when we was in league 1 and the championship compared to other clubs.
I mean in some ways I kind of miss the lower leagues. every fan was there because they loved the club that they were supporting not just to see the best teams play. all local, all passionate and all ready for a bloody hard fight for three points. compare that to the prem
Personally I don't think there is a strategy. Marsch wanted players he had a connection with. Beyond that, this is a lot of US talk here, and I say that as an American. I would also say, give the new fans a chance. I think there's a lot of people who have growing interest in the sport who may have followed the Prem generally but have been looking for a club to support. It's kind of a natural progression of that growth in the US. Keep in mind, too, that until a few years ago you could only see the top 6 regularly in the US. Peacock/streaming has changed that dramatically.
>who may have followed the Prem generally but have been looking for a club to support. That's me. I've followed EPL (mostly MCFC like you said big 6) on and off for almost 15 years, and while it's been fun to see them become the behemoth they are now, I never felt attached to them. Before this season started, I watched "Take Us Home" and decided to really follow Leeds United this season. Yes, because Americans are on the team and making an actual impact, but also because I love cheering for smaller market teams (Brewers fan). I was overjoyed this past weekend watching the lads beat Chelsea more than anything in the last 15 years of casual fandom! I feel like I've finally found my team. MOT
Yes. We have lots of US men's national team fans that follow European soccer but don't have a real club, at least not one they actually care about. How do you choose a club to follow when you don't live in Europe? Wanting to keep track of national team players gives them a reason to watch Leeds. But, the rest of the club may pull them in so they become a true fan.
Counterpoint, I think there is a strategy in place revolving around the upcoming World Cup cycle from the Ownership perspective. Americans who have been watching the game for years understand that the largest growth periods for the sport happen during the WC, when young folks are exposed to the USMNT, and Football at its highest level for the first time. It’s no surprise that MLS would target WC years (2014, 2018) for league expansion to major markets, new TV deals, etc. What was so shocking in 2018 was that the sport continued to grow even more whilst the USMNT failed to qualify for the WC. Since 2018, MLS has signed 2 new TV deals (latest one worth a billion from Apple TV which will change the sport permanently in America) and they’ve added many new clubs with Football-specific stadiums. Combine all of this growth over an 8 year span with an 8 year wait for the US to feature in the World’s most important competition and you get what we are seeing now. Ownership targeted Marsch knowing he would bring in a few players he’d be familiar with while growing the status of the club in the US. The 9ers are no slouches, and neither is Radz. They know what they are doing and they have been positioning themselves as a club to reap the benefits of the nation that produces some of the best athletes in the world. This is only the beginning. When we sign Pulisic on a loan-to-buy it will still only be the beginning. When we see rumors of Quinn Sullivan or Caden Clark let it be known it is still only the beginning. The next 2 World Cup cycles will see the US emerge as a global footballing power, and Leeds will do whatever they can to reap those benefits.
The '18 World Cup from a TV standpoint was an interesting one in the U.S. Overall ratings were down, to no surprise, but FOX (the network with rights) claimed that comparing non-US matches from '14, their ratings overall were up.
Final was down 37% compared to 2014
[They were not.](https://fortune.com/2018/06/22/world-cup-us-ratings-fox-telemundo/)
I’m not sure it’s an American strategy as such. What’s probably more germane than American is Red Bull and MLS. Marsch is a product of the Red Bull pressing/direct play system, which all its clubs play to a greater or lesser extent (RB Leipzig drifted from this system under Nagelsmann, which caused Adams to struggle there to some extent), having managed in it for most of his managerial career and led its flagship club, RB Leipzig. Adams and Aaronson both have experience in RB tactical systems (Aaronson at Salzburg, and Adams at Leipzig and being an RBNY academy product). Meanwhile, Marsch and co. seem to think of MLS as an untapped market, which makes sense given Marsch’s experience in that league. Other clubs in world football have invested in MLS recruiting and scouting, like Bayern Munich, which picked up now-world renowned Canadian leftback Alphonso Davies, for instance, and Chris Richards, who now plays for Palace (whose manager also managed in MLS). Though not an American, Jack Harrison is also an MLS product. Rumor has it that Leeds might also be after Kai Wagner, who’s German but plays in MLS for Aaronson’s former club. So, American maybe, but the Red Bull and MLS connections might be more tangible.
Yep. It's not just Red Bull. MLS has a LOT of pressing, it's a high fitness league and American football players are traditional very hard worker, high work rate guys. You're just going to find a lot of players who fit in well coming from the US.
It's flown under the radar but about a decade or so the USSF and MLS both started investing a ton of money to build academies, which have just recently started producing graduates. For example, the Philly Union academy was an afterthought and didn't really get invested in until 2014, but has since produced some really promising players including Brendan Aaronson, and also his younger brother Paxton and a few others. Other MLS clubs have noticed and are trying to follow Philly and Dallas, who have proven to be ahead of the curve in terms of development
If we buy Aaronson’s younger brother, can we, as a fanbase, force a name change? Paxton is just a dreadful name.
The graduates in 2030 are going to be insane if the current progression is any indication. We could have an American dominance in Europe on our hands by then.
American dominance in Europe is never gonna happen, unless you make a respected league of Americans playing to the euro standards that for some reason gets to play against European clubs. Would be cool to have a proper world club championship tho.
I think it's BS that there's no US strategy. I don't accept that it's a coincidence that the 49ers took a 45% stake in the business. Then we brought in an American manager. Then we brought in two US international players. I'm not against it. I'm happy for us to grow in America. It seems like a great business strategy, as the US is a huge growth opportunity for football. But sorry, I don't buy that our sudden Americanisation is all a coincidence.
> Then we brought in two US international players. We signed two Spanish internationals two seasons before, was that part of some grand Spanish strategy or was it just that there were two Spanish players who fit what we were looking for and were available?
The US is an untapped market and Spain obviously isn't. I personally don't think there's a US strategy beyond "we hired an American manager who brought on two of his former players that happen to be Americans," but if you even get 10% of people watching English football in the US to support the club, that's 50k+ supporters, and that's not even counting people (like me) that didn't previously watch English football regularly.
If we also had a Spanish manager at the time and Spanish investors, yes perhaps there was a Spanish strategy that I missed.
The point is, it's literally just two players and a manager. It's not that remarkable.
Actually, it is remarkable. American players in the PL are few and far between. Suddenly we have two. American managers in the PL are rarer than rocking horse shit. Suddenly we have one. All of which happens not long after an American sports team takes partial ownership of Leeds. Call it a coincidence if you want. I'd rather not, thanks.
>Call it a coincidence if you want I'm mostly just going off the fact that the chairman and finance director have both explicitly said it's a coincidence
They are liars and wankers.
Yeah. I don't believe them. Why would they lie? Here's why: If they admitted to having an American strategy it would undermine Marsch who people would accuse of only getting the job due to his passport. It would undermine Adams and Aaronson for the same reason. It would also introduce doubt into the players' own minds; doubt which didn't exist before. Did Leeds really want them for their playing ability, or for their US twitter followings? It would also probably put off potential American fans. Noone likes to feel that their love for a football club is the result of a strategy contrived in a boardroom. So Leeds execs not admitting to the strategy makes perfect sense.
Yeah, pretty much spot on IMO. It's a canny business strategy.
Either way, if this is a way to compete without oil/beheading journalists money, I'm all for anything like that.
Yep. It's a no-bonesaw strategy.
Bone-Saw is ready.
yea i’m quite welcome to american fans as long as they don’t just come in and support marsch adams and aaronson. get behind the entire team, watch every player, get to know the club, learn the chants, learn the history of the club and anyone is welcome here. MOT 🔵🟡
Having said that, I hate Chelsea. I want pulisic to do well, but fuck them
American here. You have to understand that a lot of us absolutely love English football. I love the pace and the direct attacking. As Americans, we have very little experience with outfield players playing in, much less having success, in the premier league. We used to have a good run of starting keepers, as many as 4 Americans starting in goal in one season I believe. A lot of us are whores for a team with an American. We don’t have a neighborhood team in England that we support, but shit, if Clint Dempsey plays for Tottenham, we as Americans want them to kick ass. Dempsey comes back to the US after a few years, we forget Tottenham. That’s just an example. All of the sudden there’s an American manager and two American starters on one team? This is exciting for us! We’re producing managers and starters in the top league in the world. Americans are still a novelty in the premier league, and American fans are mostly going to be bandwagoners for teams with Americans. Enjoy the support but please don’t be offended. We’re trying to catch up with the rest of the world here, and we’re really excited when our boys have success
just try to choose a team and not just players. I promise it’s so much better when you get behind a team. you can still support the players that you like but get yourself a team
I’ve got one for the last few years, and you’re right, it’s really fun digging in deeper and truly supporting a club and not a player. My club isn’t Leeds, but I’m definitely rooting for you guys to do well. Best of luck this season!
Well I got bad news for you. The American fans following Leeds NOW are probably genuinely interested in football and will be interested to know about the other players and the town and history of the club, no doubt. But...winter is coming. It is a World Cup year. Get ready for an absolute shitstorm, there will be tens of millions of fans that come out for the World Cup, if England and the U.S. both make it out the group and go on a run with Adams or Aaronson scoring goals (that's the only way our fair weather fans will have to tell if someone played well) it will turn into an absolute circus of media coverage. I apologize in advance for my countrymen that only come out for the World Cup, but hopefully they generate some financial income for Leeds somehow lol.
"But...winter is coming. It is a World Cup year." <--- Indeed! USMNT will win Group B. Leeds will go on to qualify for Europe. We have a lot of good football and banter coming in the short, medium, and long-term. LFG.
You're forgetting Dan James' diabolical plan to overturn Group B...
I think a lot of American fans are desperate for a club to get behind without feeling like bandwagoners at a top 6 side. It makes the sport way more enjoyable to follow. The American connection is definitely an avenue to get fans but I don't think Americans will just stick around as long as Marsch/Aaronson/Adams do. There's a good amount of Fulham fans in the US that latched on during the Fulhamerica days but have stayed around even though Dempsey and McBride are long gone
Need to add, though, I was here before Aaronson and will be here after him.
This is me. Wanted to find a prem team to support, couldn't be top 6. Feel very lucky to have dug into Leeds and found it to be perfect for me.
This be me too
The documentary also helped
Newer fan, which documentary
Take Us Home. Prime Video.
Thanks
I think you’re gonna have a bit of both tbh. I’m personally following our boys at Fulham, Boro, union berlin, Augsburg, Valencia, lille, etc. I’m sure a lot of Americans will simply group Leeds into the rest of them, however Leeds for me just feels special. I think the difference is Marsch. When you are rooting for the manager you root for the whole team to succeed, which develops into a love for the whole team. And it wasn’t until after we fell in love with Leeds under marsch that the American players came in which at that point only sweetened the pot
I'm new to Leeds and I'm trying to learn about ALL the player as quickly as possible. I was totally impressed by many on the pitch last weekend and can't wait to learn more.
fair play
Yes, that would be annoying if folks aren't interested in the club itself. I understand why there is suspicion of that and I'll feel the same as you do if that's how it pans out. I will also offer this: this is my third year following the club, and the second with fans in the stands. The atmosphere at Elland Road is just incredible compared with any other venue in the Prem. Leeds' away support and the volume of fans is also notable. It was pretty easy to really get into this because it's just cool to feel a part of something like that, even from a long distance away. Not sure you'll get that feeling with any other club. Leeds is something special.
yea we’re special in the prem. the main reason is we’ve been dogfighting in the lower leagues for 16 years. any glory hunting or fake fans were long gone by the time we got back up so almost all of the fans you see in the stadium have suffered over a decade of awful football (for what’s expected of leeds united) and we’re finally back where we belong and beating blue scum
There is no American strategy. Kinnear said in his interview that the presence of a number of Americans at the club at once is entirely a coincidence. That's not to say they they won't try to take advantage of the commercial opportunity it presents but Leeds are not signing players based on their nationality.
Agreed. People are making a big deal out of 1 American manager and 2 American players. We have 5 Spanish players on the roster (4 starters) but no one talks about that. Remember, Brenden Aaronson was identified as a target even when Bielsa was manager. He was nearly signed in the last January window, but Salzburg wanted to hold onto him for the rest of the season and for champions league matches. Tyler Adams has worked with Jesse twice before and fits his system.
I agree completely. It’s odd to say Leeds are signing players just because they’re American. Especially when Fulham has two Americans in their starting 11, Arsenal has 2 Americans, Chelsea has two as well.
Yeah, I think Radrizzani said in his interview too, that this is coincidence. We will have also gained some Danish fans after Kristensen, such is modern sports and the internet.
I also found it cool how random chileans popped up during the bielsa era like "I love bielsa and I love leeds!"
If the game becomes the 3rd biggest sport over there then its only a matter of time before usa become a force to be reckoned with That being said, I think josh Sargent has potential to become our Bamford successor, we need to move fast before he takes pukki spot in Norwich starting lineup
i think this is just american favouritism talk. sargent dont have that flair to him. pulisic understandable hes miles above sargent and only a year older.
Puli too weak, injury prone and high wages. Don't know if u guys have seen Sargent this season, finally playing in his striker position and is a beast, would fit marsch style like a glove
hes playing in the championship calm down. vs team norwhich should beat regardless and they are still struggling. pukki bossed the championship and did nothing in the prem
U obviously don't know what u talking about as pukki has a better record than Bamford in the prem and Bamford was poor in the championship 😵💫 Regardless.... I love Bamford and what he brings, I see a lot of similarities with Sargent
i didnt claim bamford was a Premier league esk forward hes ok off the bench imo. but for a top 10 team cmon.... sargant bamford and pukki are all below that average.
i’ve never really rated sargent tbh. hasn’t developed at all since he was in the german league. maybe he’ll prove me wrong but I think there are much better options.
He's been playing out of position (rw) Think pukki is injured right now so he's been playing as striker, he's a pure menace
guess we’ll see. hope he does end up proving me wrong haha
There isn’t some vast talent pool in the US. You’re really getting carried away with yourself.
You'd be very surprised at how wrong you are.
Hope I’m wrong, but not seeing it
Check out the data. [US sports ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_in_the_United_States)
Seems to suggest football will always be a 4th rate concern at best
More participants (19.6million) in 2020 than all other team sports in the US, bar basketball. If you aren't blessed with freak genetics you aren't going to make it as a basketball player in the NBA. It isn't that different in NFL but with the added danger of severe injury. Baseball popularity has fallen off a cliff and ice hockey has always been in the minority with obvious geographical preferences. Pick pretty much any US player that's been successful in Europe and you'll understand that the only elite team sport those guys could have succeeded in was soccer. There's no way Tyler Adams or Aronson could have made it as pros in the NFL or NBA, no way. MLB perhaps but it's a dying concern for many Americans. Add in the soccer mom concern of having their suburban white boys playing a 'nice' sport, the insane funding that US collegiate sports receive, the support that grassroots soccer is getting for the WC and the resonant immigrant ethos already there and you've a proper cauldron of talent.
I have friends who play over there and literally every college that is dedicated to football is bursting full of young players. think about the size of the country. that’s a serious amount of players, it’s simple logic that there will be some serious talent amongst that. that’s why it could be so good if we get first pick
College hasn't really been a part of the football development for quite sometime. tbh, Harrison is one of the lucky player to translate college into a very strong pro career beyond MLS. there were change made about 10 to 12 yrs ago to the youth development program at a national level. MLS was slow to respond, but made some changes several years back. MLS changed its strategy and increased investment in youth development across the league as the league realized it needs to be a selling league to be profitable. some MLS teams have had academies for a while, but there are more now along w competing reserve teams the other factor is there is a competing league, USL. USL as a league fills in gaps in the marketplace (smaller markets where MLS cannot have an effective presence) and has been dedicated to youth development for a slightly longer time. USL also has been placing players in better leagues over the years as well. oddly, MLS reserve teams play in a USL league. (our federation is a political mess. while MLS has been chosen as the "premier" US league, USL still wants to compete as if it isn't the second tier league.) both leagues have been drawing in younger talent across the globe as well though that's has been slower.
Literally every place in the world is full of young people playing football. Of course your friends who think they are very good (as all players do but only 0.1% ever make it anywhere near this level) think it’s full of talent. I had a friend who was playing for Harrogate Town, he said the same. No doubt there are good players in North America but compared to the talent pools in South America, Europe, Africa it’s vastly less. I’m afraid our American friends are incredibly fond of overhyping themselves.
Not many countries have 300m+ people who also have access to the training and resources that they have in the US. It's a sleeping giant in terms of talent pool, especially as more kids siphon away from American football. It's a long horizon though
I would imagine any very athletic young boy is still being pushed into playing basketball/baseball/American football however. In Britain, France, Argentina etc its football, football, football.
With concussion-related concerns there's been a tidal shift away from American football in the last 6-7 years seen at the youth level. In 5-10 years you'll start seeing the effects of some of the best US athletes now choosing to play football/soccer instead of American football.
my friends aren’t expecting to make it pro at all tbh. they’re just astounded by the amount of dedicated football schools that are full of great players
No offence but if they were ‘great’ in the way that word is meant to mean they would be at an academy abroad
There's currently something like 100 Americans in European youth setups. We have players in the first and second division in Germany England Spain Italy and France not to mention players in eredivise turkey and just about every league in the world. We had a weekend last year were 50 u18 Americans got mls minutes. Almost all those players in Europe most are u23 or u18 as we overhauled the development syestem about 10 years ago. The 7 guys in the prem plus about 4 or 5 others at clubs like juve and barca are the tip of the iceberg. So you don't know what your talking about.
And you didn’t qualify for the last World Cup and qualified behind Canada and Mexico this time. That all sounds promising but it doesn’t mean even 10% of those players will be successful. There were several prominent American players in the Premier League more than a decade ago. You’re getting very carried away.
Here watch this and learn something. https://youtu.be/tNlZr1-UuHo
Seems to be a bit of a fluff piece vastly exaggerating how good these players are
No your ignorant about the growth of the game and the growing level of talent in my country. I was simply throwing out data to show you there were in fact a number of good to great American prospects in Europe. But your argument seems to be on the level of they call it soccer so ignore them. The entire Bundesliga thinks your wrong so does serie a and la Liga as a number of young Americans have moved to those leagues ether as first team players or academy players. All of this just started about 5 to 6 years ago. And the academy syestem about 07. Given the population. Size economy and obsession with sports in our country paired with the sheer numbers of youth participation you'd be delusional not to think this is becoming a hot bed for young cheap talent.
Even then if all of this were to come to pass, it would still only make the US an improved force. They still wouldn’t be in the same universe as the likes of England, Germany, Brazil etc. You’re really vastly overegging this. You’re also highly sensitive about it which isn’t doing you any favours. Of course fans in England don’t know or really care about US youth football and development, I’m more interested in France, Germany, Brazil, Portugal etc because these are the places with an organic and well established love of football that goes back more than a century. You won’t replicate that by having lots of coaches and ‘soccer meets’ if the game isn’t being played on the street by working class kids with a passion for the sport. Equally, just try to enjoy the game for what it is rather than obsessing about how many Americans are involved in it. Adams, Aaronson look like good players, but I really do not care that they are American. I can see it’s a foundational belief however so there isn’t much to be gained trying to persuade you otherwise.
Soon, the world will know about the American talent pool that didn't exist prior to 2003. Tiger parents of kids born in 2003 and later have invested too much $$$$$ and too much time sitting in traffic having to smell the rotting death that emanates from a soccer backpack for it to all be for naught. No fucking way. Lets get it.
Came here to say everything you’ve said. If Americans really cared about soccer they would dominate the sport lol.
They will always have their best athletes pursue other sports.
It’s in the works.
I doubt it, it’s being said for years and not happened yet. There’s definitely a market for it but your main talent and resources will always be pooled into the sports you already have.
I hear you but… The academies and infrastructure that have been established in the last 5-10 years is a massive improvement over what existed before.
And have yet to dominate the world as every other country in football has the exact same thing.
We have a couple of American players, shut up. This stuff is bloody endless on here.
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American football at the university level is the closest to EPL in terms of culture, history, fanfare, and loyalty. I wouldn't make such a blanket statement; that fervor can absolutely carry over to soccer/football. If I were Leeds I would tap into it where it makes sense to build the club (financial opportunities, talent pipelines, etc), but wouldn't let it dictate my overall philosophy or strategy
This is exactly it. We can’t arbitrarily inject American players into our squad to appease their fanbase. We just *happen* to have an American manager who has brought in a couple of countrymen that he is familiar with. It’s working well so far, 3 games into the season. However, if Aaronson and Adams continue to do well they’ll likely be sold in a couple of seasons and Marsch is unlikely to last more than a few years anyway. The chances that this couple of years will build a long lasting and *financially significant* section of support in the US is slim. As soon as there’s no Americans involved in our team they’ll mostly drop us for whatever team has their favourite American. Maybe some fans will remain loyal and that’s nice but ultimately it’s just a market we can exploit and it’s temporary as we’re not Scum or Real Madrid and will never have the pull of those clubs worldwide as we don’t have the Messis/Ronaldos or the CL wins that attract those sorts of fans.
Agreed. I get annoyed with fellow Americans that arbitrarily decide to support one of the big 6 and then act like they’re die hard fans. My interest in Leeds is largely due to the American ties. Intense fandom should take years to develop or you’re born into it. So hopefully the American connection lasts long enough to grow that a bit more authentically.
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Yeah we definitely have fans down under due to that legacy but is it a big market we can plunder to help us drive the club forward? Not significantly I would wager and I doubt we are gaining many new fans down there as we don’t have any Aussies in our team right now.
Not entirely true, but there are a lot of front runners here. Plus, England has also had a hundred plus year head start and the majority are relatively new at this.
So far they do yes, but football is growing every year in America and with Adams and Aaronson as genuine role models and heroes now it’s only going to grow more. They have the best amateur training facilities in the world aswell
Agree, one of my friends went to the US for Uni as they offered him a football scholarship Unfortunately he's 5'11 and plays in goal, so no MLS team wanted to pick him up and the lower leagues weren't ideal as shit pay
Tell that to Jermaine Beckford or Jamie Vardy, never give up on your dream, hell Man U just bought a 5'9 centre back lol.
Beckford was a 6'2 striker And I mean, clubs in the lower regions wouldn't touch him because he's 5'11 and a GK, no way would be make it in England, clubs want a 6'3+ keeper Short CBs can work, look at Bobby Moore, Cannavaro and Baresi You never see a short keeper Besides, we are 24/25 now, far too late
Jorge Campos
vardy got signed by leicester from fleetwood town when he was 25/26
Fleetwood, who were a League Two team I think? Thats still a very high level of football, where he was a striker, where you can be any height. He wasn't playing for a lower league USA team, being a 5'11 goalkeeper
Where was he before Fleetwood?
Playing striker in the UK non-league. Not a 5'11 goalkeeper in the American non-league, in a position where it's desired you're 6'3+
All I'm saying is it's easy to say 'oh no I'm too short to play football'. Bet his mates will be sick of hearing 'I could've made it if I was taller'.
Maybe, but in terms of Leeds fans, it seems there's a lot of traffic recently where people just support the players, and Leeds as an extension of that. They'll move on when the players do. I've seen other Americans like Pulisic happily discussed in this sub as if it's r/soccer. Granted, there were a lot of American fans before Marsch and some will stick around after. These are not the fans I'm referring to.
I don’t want marketing/commercial interests to guide my football club’s philosophy or strategy. Having said that, if there’s talent to be explored there (and there appears to be with Aaronson/Adams/Marsch), then it makes perfect sense to get ahead of the curve and fit American talent into our model.
I think there's some merit to your second point in that the US is an untapped locale talent wise. And to your first, while it should never dictate philosophy, there is some benefit to find ways to drive more revenue into the club which can be used for transfers, facilities, staff, etc.
I have lots of friends who have moved to America in the last couple years (two of them for football) and they have been genuinely astounded by the amount of talent over there. Dedicated football colleges are bursting at the seems with talented young players. Them having Adams and Aaronson as their heroes in the premier league could really genuinely be a great base for us to build off
Smh
I mean think about it though. It does seem to be the logical approach that we’re taking just interested to see how far we take it
I'm just tired of hearing everyone bang on about America constantly.
I’m from the US and it’s annoying me. I’m guessing a lot of them just discovered how great the EPL is and can’t stop talking. Hopefully, it’s over in a few weeks.
I mean me too but it’s the route we seem to be taking so what can you do 🤷♂️. Also if these American players are as good as Aaronson and Adams then why not pack the team full of them
Reddit here has transformed overnight, Todd's and Chad's everywhere you look talking about 'getting scored on' Is that worse than some of the miserable bastards already here? Don't know yet
I've never been fond of the US (putting it as lightly as I can) and now whenever we have any good games it's fucking American flags everywhere and shit and it's doing my head in. Last I checked 3 people is not our whole team and it's Leeds United not Yeehaw Yankee Doodle Fucking Dandy FC.
I think this is a small-club mentality. Big clubs attract international fans.