ABQ Soccer Past, Present and Future

Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

ABQ Soccer Past, Present and Future

Posted by Phil_0 on February 24, 2008 at 12:26pm in FUTBOL ABQ!

OK, so we never had a NASL team and will be a longshot to ever join MLS. But ABQ had a good run with the Albuquerque Chiles in the 1980s and 90s (they played in one of the leagues that would eventually become part of today's USL, the league Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Montreal play in) and currently have a team, the Asylum, playing in the NPSL, which I guess is sort of equivalent to a European Division 3. Anyone been to check out a game? Anyone have any Chiles memories to share?

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Permalink Reply by ayax on February 24, 2008 at 1:32pm: Phil, I knew you'd become a member!
All I do is watch some European games on Fox Soccer... Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Arsenal... the biggies. And Ajax Amsterdam, of course, but they are not what they used to be (heyday in the 70's-80's).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 5:52pm: That's cool, I didn't know ABQ ever had a professional soccer team. Up until about 3 years ago I was in WA, and didn't really start paying attention to the Sounders until recently (but I can remember going to a few games when I was a kid). I think you're right about ABQ and MLS, although when you think about it, the cost is pretty cheap compared to other major pro sports, besides the start up costs and a soccer specific stadium. I think there would be a lot of support for them though, given the lack of any other pro teams. The 'topes do well.
I pay a lot of attention to MLS, mostly because I think its hard to keep up with the EPL, Liga, Serie A, and all the others. Plus, I think its easier to identify with a team that plays in your own country. I have a lot of family in England, and most of them are Liverpool fans, so if I do catch a game I usually root for the Reds.
Anyways, nice to meet you all!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Phil_0 on February 24, 2008 at 11:59pm: I like and follow MLS but don't really identify with any of the current clubs...I was sort of into the San Jose team when I was in school out in California, but they were the "Clash" at the time and it all seemed a little contrived and over-marketed. Maybe now that the Earthquakes are back, or once Seattle comes online...

Internationally I probably follow Hibs in Scotland more than any other club - I like stylish underdogs. Beyond that I tend to like clubs from places I have some connection to: Roma in Serie A, Stuttgart in Bundesliga, Pumas in the Mexican League.

Oh, and speaking of the Mexican league...Indios, the Ciudad Juarez club, are currently in the Mexican 2nd Division with a good shot at promotion this season. Which would mean premier-division soccer in one of the world's richest and most competitive leagues only 4 hours away from Albuquerque. The stadium is located right next to the river, and a couple of Indios fans I've corresponded with online say it's an easy walk or taxi ride from the bridge to El Paso. I'm planning on checking a game out one of these days while I'm down there for work...I'll report back once I do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 5:57pm: Did you see what happened to Eduardo da Silva???? Beware, this is pretty gruesome. I've heard he may never play again
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4hczz_eduardo-da-silva-broken-leg...
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1306584,00.html; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ayax on February 24, 2008 at 6:19pm: Horrible! Praise the L. there is no sound...
Sorry Phil, no history here (Re: soccer memories, that is).
I met the striker for the Lobos, Chris Wright, and kinda followed him. Is he still playing for UNM?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 10:43pm: Yea, he's a junior.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erik Siemers on February 24, 2008 at 9:25pm: As a die-hard Gunners fan, what happened to Eduardo da Silva was a crime.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ayax on February 24, 2008 at 9:29pm: You miss Bergkamp?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erik Siemers on February 24, 2008 at 10:18pm: Ayax:

Admittedly, I use the term "die-hard Gunners fan" loosely. I only got into soccer after a visit to Europe nearly four years ago. That trip made me realize I'm missing out on a whole worldwide obsession, and I set upon looking for a team of my own.

The team I chose was Arsenal, having watched them in 2006 go all the way to the Champions League final. That was Bergkamp's last year, and he played less of a role than he had in the past. So i can't say I miss him.

For a better comparison, I thought I would miss Thierry Henry more than I do. This team seems just as good, if not better, without him.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 9:41pm: Erik I totally agree. I saw some pics right at the point of impact, and his spikes were up, aimed right for eduardo's leg. Plus, it was in the 3rd minute. There was just no excuse other than lack of discipline. I signed an online petition to ban him for a year, but I can't remember where it was...I hope he recovers and it's not another david busst.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 9:45pm: By the way, I'm really happy and excited about the response to this group. I know there's only 4 members, but dukecity is a pretty small site and the groups only been up for a couple of days. I encourage all of you guys to try to get as many other members as possible, I'm really tired of watching games by myself. I posted a message on BigSoccer, so we'll see who else will come out of the woodwork in a little bit. This could be a really cool group for the MLS season coming up.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Travis Johnson on February 24, 2008 at 10:46pm: Anybody been to an Asylum game? I've never even heard of them until TODAY. What's the level of play? Where do they play?; ▶ Reply to This