He only became a "designated player" this season, meaning his wages up to this point have been low. Even with being a designated player, he may not be on big money by English standards.
Lloyd Sam played a big part in both goals and played the full 90 mins (unlike BWP). He was also an influential part of the team last season when BWP and Thierry Henry were getting all the headlines.
Both players have turned 30 in the last year so, while I think they could offer something in the Championship, I'm not sure they could take Charlton forward from where they are now.
Final thought: David Villa, as one of the designated players for NYCFC, was underwhelming tonight and looked like he didn't want to be there. It will be interesting to see how motivated Lampard and Gerrard look when they are playing in the MLS.
25,000 - a sellout. Most MLS stadiums are now soccer-specific (rather than sharing with American Football), and the capacities reflect that. Better to have a full stadium than a half empty one while the sport is growing. Both New York teams have struggled with good attendance this season, but many other clubs sell almost every seat for each game. I believe that the average attendance across the league was over 20,000 last season, which is a steady improvement.
I'm not sure it would be the first New York derby. I am fairly sure that I have read football (or, soccer, if you must) was played extensively up to the time of the 1st World War or thereabouts, then it suddenly faded out. I expect that there has been another derby game in that case.
Comments
Lloyd Sam played a big part in both goals and played the full 90 mins (unlike BWP). He was also an influential part of the team last season when BWP and Thierry Henry were getting all the headlines.
Both players have turned 30 in the last year so, while I think they could offer something in the Championship, I'm not sure they could take Charlton forward from where they are now.
Final thought: David Villa, as one of the designated players for NYCFC, was underwhelming tonight and looked like he didn't want to be there. It will be interesting to see how motivated Lampard and Gerrard look when they are playing in the MLS.
I'm guessing it's topped up by housing allowances etc.