Monday, August 07, 2006

Did You Know?

After yesterday's post on lesser known stories of this year in MLS, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the obscure things in the league's overall history. Did you know...

1) ...that the final three original MLS teams to be chosen were Colorado, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay? Not exactly our best and brightest.

2) ...that also when the original teams were chosen, New Jersey and New York were both both awarded a spot in the league? They were later combined, and almost certainly that's the birth of the ridiculous NY/NJ name.

3) ...that the Colorado Rapids are the only MLS team to finish both first and last in average attendance for a season (2002 & 1996)? The Revs could join them if their crowds don't pick up.

4) ...that the 2005 Kansas City Wizards were the only team ever to miss the playoffs with a positive goal differential (+8)?

5) ...that of the 15 possible playoff matchups among Eastern conference teams, only four have yet to occur? Those four are:

CHI-CLB
CLB-KC
KC-NE
KC-NY

6) ...that Paraguay is the highest ranked country from which there hasn't been an MLS player (based on this list of foreign players)?

7) ...that Phillip Anschutz became interested in soccer because he got free tickets to the World Cup final in 1994 (from Alan Rothenberg)?

8) ...that the most common American surname which hasn't been represented in MLS is Hall? Not counting the ref, of course. In the 1990 census it was 26th overall.

9) ...that by my count, MLS teams have played official matches in 28 different states? Those missing:

AL-AK-AZ-AR-DE-HI-ID-IA-KY-ME-MS-MT-NE-NH-NM-ND-OK-RI-SD-VT-WV-WY

Comments on "Did You Know?"

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:14 PM, August 07, 2006) : 

What counts as official? I think Real went to Hawaii for a couple pre season matches or something.

 

Blogger scaryice said ... (11:10 PM, August 07, 2006) : 

Besides MLS games, other official matches include the Open Cup and Champions Cup. So no, preseason wouldn't count.

 

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