It's a phrase soccer players use regularly.
"We've got to fight for these colors."
L.A. Galaxy players were forced to fight for and defend one set of colors one week and another the next. When David Beckham arrived, he was not a part of the Green-and-Gold. He joined the Collegiate Navy-and-Gold.
With Beckham around, the club seems more interested in cashing in than it does with trying to find success on the field. In the middle of their quest to fight for a playoff spot and try to contend for an MLS Cup title, the Galaxy changed their jerseys, logos and colors altogether.
I couldn't help but shake my head when Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas called the Galaxy the "Jewel of MLS" on Friday and look around at colors and logos that didn't exist publicly for more than two days.
I wondered what kind of league jewels also change colors in the middle of the season. I wonder if Bayern Munich would change their colors in January, or if AC Milan would switch to green and yellow while trying to fight for the Serie A title. I can't fathom Manchester United switching to blue full time; in their blue kits, Man U seems a bit odd but that's only their alternate jerseys.
Perhaps, then it's an American thing more than a soccer thing, but that didn't hold water either. I can't imagine my beloved Dodgers ditching blue for red or the Lakers scrapping purple altogether. Imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers wearing blue jerseys with white-and-blue helmets. Sure, many American teams have third or alternate jerseys but team colors are interwoven with tradition and give fans a sense of pride.
The Galaxy was on that path. The Galaxy has been one of the most successful clubs in MLS and has featured some of this league's top players. The tradition existed before this year.
But the club sure has a strange way of claiming that tradition matters these days.
14 comments:
It is my understanding that the Gal's have never had a permanent kit. I don't think their initial Halloween jersey; with Red, Orange, and streaks of black, made it past the first season.
Then their jersey switched to teal, added gold, vertical and horizontal stripes, while always switching around the color schemes.
So, their new Real Madrid 'inspired' kit should be a welcome addition to the Gal's ghastly collection of uniform patterns.
the Galaxy had one of the best Uniforms in MLS prior to this circus. I really hope Lala-Land Lexi doesn't destroy that team.
couldn't agree more; also really sick of all the midseason transfers. What other league allows teams to constently swap players throughout the season. How can there be a team identity when there's a new set of faces every week.
Ask the Kings. They were purple, signed Gretzky, went to black, sold millions. No one cared. Get over it.
whether the uniform was likeable or not is not the issue. the issue is that they changed uniforms in the middle of the season. that's os micky mouse.
i understand that alexi is trying to sell his team to the world and all it's tradition, but no one outside of mls is buying it.why should they, words are words but the winning creates the traditions in itself.
H
While I agree that the Galaxy uniforms for the past few years have been some of the best in MLS, the new colors match the team name much better than do the old ones: (Deep Navy or Midnight Blue for the sky at night, Gold for the Sun). It also happens to be a really sharp kit, so I don't think that aesthetically there is anything being lost. However, from the point of view of building a tradition for a club, I have to agree with all of you. MLS and US Soccer have done a horrible job of creating a tradition around colors at both the club level and the National Team level. And looking at other sports in the US suggests that the teams with the best traditions are the ones who stick longest with their colors (NFL Packers, Steelers and Cowboys, MLB Yankees and Cardinals, NHL Canadiens, Red Wings and Bruins), while the worst teams are the ones who are constantly reinventing their identity.
Yeah I wish the US would stop redesigning their jersey every other year. However I do believe the US's white jersey with blue shorts is its traditional jersey. Its amazing how that is never focused on. FCD, DCU, and maybe Chicago Fire are the only teams in MLS who have a tradition or identity with their current uniforms. I honestly would be pissed to see DCU no longer wearing a black jersey with white stripes over the chest.
The point is the fans that the teams are so busy trying to grow a connection to have a connection and semi-investment in the team's look and identity. You want a strong fan base you have to respect: one that the fans are connected to your identity and second that they have a finacial investment as they have spent money on buying all your gear. Forcing them to buy new gear so you can make a quick buck doesn't play well in the long. As colors really do speak to who you are whether its a college, a sports team, or even a gang. Its hard to build a connection when you don't know what exactly to associate the team with.
I could not agree more LB.
Changing colors mid-course is a complete joke. I don't care if their colors or kits were ugly.
Hell, even the "jewel" of USL Porland Timbers for 30 years have been and always will be Green and Yellow.
BBSC
I welcome the change. The old colors were dated and just because they may have been one of the best in the MLS, doesn't really say that much. In my opinion 50 years down the road, the new colors will look much much better.
Why wouldn't we expect and welcome mid-season transfers of the caliber of Beckham and Blanco? This is the only time of the year when the leagues around the world (presumably the leagues we want players from) are on break and circumstances would allow the MLS to buy that talent. Being 12 years old, the MLS still has to take what it can get compared to the other giants like La Liga.
The difference will always be those franchises whose first concern is winning, don't worry about changing their uniforms on a regular basis. The teams that do, generally are shifting the focus from a previously unsuccessful season or seasons, and are starting fresh. The change mid-season reeks off people who are focused on nothing but money. Why couldn't the team be these colors from the beginning of the season? Unveiling them with Beckham makes it look like one player IS the franchise, not a part of it. Not too mention it would have helped spread out the buzz over seperate time periods. I look forward to the team missing the playoffs and Lalas being fired, and made a tv commentator, where is mouth would be welcome, and his lack of business savvy overlooked.
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I was wondering if you have any cool videos or pictures of davids first practice for the galaxy. I must admit I have never seen a mls soccer match from the beginning to end and Im a soccer fanatic. This is going to be the first time in my life that im interested in the MLS.Beckham is surely to be thanked for this. He really sparked my curiosity!
(by the way, i watched the victoria beckham show...Im hoocked on saying " thats majore " )
The league is young. The team is young. Manchester United didn't start off in red and white. They didn't even start off as Manchester United. They actually did unite with another team, hence the united. Teams must grow into their identity. L.A. is doing this. True, maybe they should've waited until a better time, but this is a special time for them. Be happy. You Americans down your own too much.
i'm starting to really hate Lalas.
I dunno. Yeah, I wish AEG would finally say "enough is enough" and just stick with colors. Granted other organizations have changed their colors...but this is the 5th time in 12 years. Then again, I like the new shirts and have bought mine already.
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