12/22/24
January 25, 2006
Houston Soccer Takes a Number: A member of the BigSoccer message board found the new logo of Houston's Major League Soccer franchise, which has chosen the name Houston 1836, an homage to the city's founding, Texas independence and the soccer tradition of naming teams with a number.
Fuckers ran out on the best fans in MLS, they can call themselves the Houston Derricks Up Our Asses for all I care.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:13 AM on January 25, 2006
"billsaysthis" seems to be a very sour individual. Neither Houston, nor it's residents were responsible for the soccer team's move to Texas (even though the the city wanted a team). If San Jose area residents would have supported the team better, there wouldn't have been a move! It's not fair to dump on Houstonians because you are upset. Maybe San Jose area will get another team. But as long as they have fans like you, I would doubt it!
posted by nflhou02 at 10:34 AM on January 25, 2006
"billsaysthis" seems to be a very sour individual. Or a very loyal fan; I'll take the latter. To imply that the San Jose fans didn't support the team properly is pure ignorance. All you have to do is research the attendance figures to see they were top 3 in MLS in terms of fan support. They moved because the owners, AEG, couldn't get the taxpayers to bend over and pay for a stadium. Do you have any idea how much land costs in California, nflhou02? Bill's comments are directed more at AEG and not Houston, the coaches or players. We've had this discussion here going back 5 or 6 months on SpoFi but apparently you've missed them, even though you've had membership here since Halloween. You'd do well to know your facts before attacking another member here. Now to Houston's name....I like it and voted for it on the Houston MLS site. 1836 is a proper homage and is a year which Texans who know their state history are acutely aware. The logo? Hmmm. Not so sure. Can't get a good look at it on the screen. Looks like the colors are blue, gold and red, which could be an interesting combination. All in all...I like it. Bring on the kit!
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:52 AM on January 25, 2006
Since when is there a soccer tradition of naming teams with a number? It's common in Germany for the naming of sports teams.
posted by salmacis at 12:33 PM on January 25, 2006
The former SJ Quakes have been up to all sorts of strange things since they moved to Houston. They are the only team with a number for a name. They are one of a few teams to play of FieldTurf. The colors are gold, blue, and red. Red and blue go with white, and gold goes with only blue. The Logo is no less bizarre, It's their problem to deal with. Hwowever, I wonder when the next major sports franchise reloctates, will they also behave this bizarre manner? Time will tell.
posted by Joe88 at 12:38 PM on January 25, 2006
gold goes with only blue Tell that to the Washington Redskins. Or Florida Seminoles. Or Spain. Or Kansas City Chiefs. Or Ottawa Senators.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:10 PM on January 25, 2006
And as it turns out, the colors are black, blue and orange. OK...NOW I'm confused on the color selection. It sounds like Halloween decorations gone horribly wrong.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:20 PM on January 25, 2006
ok i was kind of looking forward to this until now i mean maybe it would look beter than it does on tv where it's boring. but as Texan_lost_in_NY says Halloween decorations gone horribly wrong. watever though they are a good team with a bad name. i guess at the end it matters about the wins and losses. but might as well have named it houston floods like eathquakes in san antonio just a thought
posted by Barry-from-H-town at 04:30 PM on January 25, 2006
nflhou, show me where I said word one about Houston as a city or group of people. I actually spent six months there in the mid-80s, it's a fine place and the people reacted terrifically when thousands of Katrina victims needed a place to stay. AEG and the team management, on the other hand, can ride Mr. Garrison's gyro-drive vehicle a few times around the equator.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:37 PM on January 25, 2006
I can't imagine the fans getting '1836' to scan in any songs. How about Houston Thirty Sixers for short?
posted by owlhouse at 05:51 PM on January 25, 2006
First thing that came to mind for me when I saw the name was this. Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing. If my team walked out on my city I'd be throwing molotov cocktails not brickbats.
posted by squealy at 06:46 PM on January 25, 2006
And I'd be on the barricades with squealy and bill.
posted by owlhouse at 06:51 PM on January 25, 2006
It sounds like Halloween decorations gone horribly wrong. Yes, indeed. Also, the 36ers might be the only hope for this debacle.
posted by Joe88 at 07:28 PM on January 25, 2006
Cool logo, cool name for a team... I like it.
posted by StarFucker at 11:30 PM on January 25, 2006
Hey Bill Go and see them play, and try to get the opposition fans singing: "You're the Earthquakes in disguise You're the Earthquakes in disguise You-or-or the Earthquakes in disguise" (The tune is Cwm Rhondda, by the way)
posted by owlhouse at 11:33 PM on January 25, 2006
Should have named them the HOUSTON HURRICANS
posted by Dallas at 08:39 AM on January 26, 2006
The more I look at the logo and colors, the more I like it, and I still like the name. I think they did a good job and now I want to see the kit! These are the only items available for sale right now. Check out the back of the shirt also.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:15 AM on January 26, 2006
Okay Bill...Why did you say "Houston derricks" knowing full well that was a stab at the Oilers! As far as AEG, Houston didn't ask for them either! Houston is a hotbed for soccer, and I support the team. If you are a true soccer fan, then you should support the team regardless where they play. And yes, Houston did open up their hearts for Katrina, as well as our own Rita victims.
posted by nflhou02 at 06:59 PM on January 26, 2006
If you are a true soccer fan, then you should support the team regardless where they play. I'm guessing you support the Titans?
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:58 AM on January 27, 2006
I think that any former fan has every right to be angry with moves like this, when stupid sports politics get in the way of the real meaning of the game. I know I was pissed when the Oilers moved to Tennessee, and had many not-so-nice names picked out for their team....because I WAS a True Blue fan of the Oilers. It made me mad to see my team leave the state because of the stupid politics of sports. Do I support the Titans today? Hell no. Why? Because they're not my team.
posted by jamaicaphooey at 11:48 AM on January 27, 2006
Texan and Jamaica...Yes I do support the Titans! Why? The players deserve it. The owner is a jerk, but they do have some great players. If they play Houston though, I have to root for the Texans!
posted by nflhou02 at 12:39 PM on January 27, 2006
If you are a true soccer fan, then you should support the team regardless where they play. This is maddening. Of course us San Jose fans are pissed off, and have every right to be furious at the way the move was handled. I was a loyal Quakes and Clash fan, and am with Bill all the way on this one. I'm sure Houston's a fine city, but my experience with AEG and the MLS will not allow me to support the league in good conscience.
posted by kafkaesque at 02:46 PM on January 27, 2006
Kafkaesque... I understand you are upset. But Bill was taking a potshot at Houston, and thats not fair. Houston is a fine city, but so is San Jose (Matter of fact, I love California...great cities,fabulous food!). All I ask is that you respect the fans in Texas.
posted by nflhou02 at 08:32 PM on January 27, 2006
nflhou02, apologies if your brain isn't up to the challenge of understanding what I write. I said they can call the team the Houston Derricks Up their Asses--that's a painful reference to the major local industry and the asses are those attached to the ownership's bodies. As for remaining a fan, you're entitled to that opinion but I disagree. For me (and maybe not for you), I get attached to a team and not the specific players because players come and go but the team stays where I am. However, if the team treats fans the way that AEG did us than my affection is boiled away. That the league allowed it to go on as long and foolishly as it did makes me think a whole lot less of MLS as well.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:39 PM on January 30, 2006
I like the fact that they're trying to fit in with soccer conventions, but wouldn't Houston '06 been more appropriate. In any case, we don't get the proliferation of really crappy team names--I mean really "Toros" or "Apollos".