French Supercup to be Held in the US?
By: Inara | June 1st, 2008According to Le Progres, the French Football Federation wants to hold the French Supercup (also known as the Trophée des champions) in the United States. The FFF is on the never ending mission of raising the profile of French football in foreign countries. Last year, they wanted to hold the Supercup in China.
“Le Trophée des champions aux Etats-Unis” - Le Progres, June 1st, 2008
La LFP souhaite organiser le Trophée des champions 2008 aux Etats-Unis. Prévu fin juillet, il mettra aux prises l’OL, auteur du doublé, à Bordeaux, son dauphin.
The French Supercup is the current raiser for the rest of the season. It’s normally held between the winners of the league and the winners of the French Cup, but since Lyon won both, the Supercup will be held between Lyon and Bordeaux.
On the surface, it’s a worthless trophy, but Lyon have always won it before starting their title winning seasons. It’s become a symbol of luck, and it gets the players in the right mindset for the rest of the year. But unlike other seasons, Bordeaux aren’t pushovers and will be hoping to take some of that luck for themselves.
This is an important game, so I can understand why the French Football Federation wants to do something special for the occasion. But holding it in the US is not the answer.
Look, I would LOVE for Lyon to come here. No matter what city the FFF ultimately chose (and this is a big country), I would be there. But I’d be one of the only people there. After all, Lyon doesn’t have many American fans, and Bordeaux has even fewer. It’d be one thing if Lyon played in some friendlies with MLS teams (and even then, I suspect most Americans wouldn’t care), but two French teams playing each other on American soil is pointless.
Better that the game be held in France, where they will actually have an audience.
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Tags: CdF, FFF, France, French Cups (CdL, French Cups (CdL, CdF, TdC), French Supercup, Lyon, TdC), Team News and RumorsSubscribe
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I am a Rennes supporter but I am more a supporter of French Football. If it was in Foxboro or even New Jersey, I would be in.
Posted from
United States
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It the game were in Foxboro (oh please!), I’d totally be there. I live in Boston, so for me, Gilette Stadium is the most accessible. But if the game is in Seattle, I’d be there too.
Posted from
United States -
Oh wait, I just realized that the distance between Boston and Seattle is about the same as the distance between Boston and France. Going to France would probably end up being cheaper too (I paid more to go to San Francisco than to go to London last year)…
Posted from
United States -
I’m not a Lyon fan, but I’d make an effort to get to this, since French football is one that doesn’t come to the US very often at all, and I’ve never seen Lyon play. I think if it was managed right, it could work, but if they put it in Giants stadium, it’s going to be massively embarrassing for all concerned. It’ll be an echo chamber.
Posted from
United States -
Inara - the exchange rate is better in Seattle.
Posted from
United States -
Ian - you’re right, I had forgotten how low the dollar has sunk. It used to be cheap to go to Europe (from the east coast at least).
Okay, Seattle is is.
And yes, if they want their plan to work, it has to be in a smaller stadium. I love my team and all, but I’m a realist. Maybe some place with a 5000 max capacity. Best would be a college soccer field. Then the 200 people who show up won’t look too bad.
Posted from
United States -
I think 200 might be a LITTLE pessimistic. There aren’t many French fans in the US, but if it was in a major city, there would be a pretty good number of just general football nerds (pointing at self) who would make it out for the game. Benzema would be a draw, especially if France do well in the Euros. You could fill a 5000 stadium, if the marketing was done right.
Posted from
United States -
Play in Seattle, I would love it!
Posted from
United States -
Ian Rose - ” I’ve never seen Lyon play ”
you dont know what your missing.
…anyway, about a game in the U.S., i doubt it would be successful, cause not many people watch Ligue 1…in europe to begin with, so the U.S. would be a bad idea.
Posted from
United States -
I like the idea. Of course there’s not many French football fans in the U.S. but are they really exposed to it? This could be a good opportunity to “raise awareness” or at least tickle the curiosity of some people. It needs a good marketing campaign though. If they make it a big event, like the Lyon-Lille game at the Stade de France, I’m sure it will be succesful.
Posted from
France -
They had an Italian Supercup game at Giants stadium a few years ago that was hugely successful. Of course that was the Italian league and it was between Juventus and AC Milan but I think bringing Lyon to the US, if they pick the right venue,is a good idea. Naturally I want them to come to the New York area so I can see Lyon for the first time.
Posted from
United States -
OK guys, the OL Board has decided to restructure the technical staff, creating a broader coach role with a longer term contract, aiming at making the club progress towards the Champions League.
And Lloris has been presented to the press.
And Pjanic should follow shortly… (hard negotiations apparently)
JMA is currently being interviewed on OL TV… Nothing new so far.
And Santos will come back.Posted from
Sweden -
I am a Bordeaux fan, leaving in Providence… only 25 minutes from Foxboro stadium. I’d love it if they would play there!
Posted from
United States -
I was sure Santos would be back.
It seems that the city chosen (by Aulas, only !) for the french supercup is Chicago.Posted from
France -
yay i’m not the only bordeaux fan on this website.
Posted from
France -
Bordeaux fans…the Offside needs you to blog for them!!!
Posted from
United States
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