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If you believe this article in The Sun, West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is ticked off over his squad being made to fly economy class like the rest of us and forced to change planes rather than have a non stop flight.
What do you think? Would MLS treat Chelsea or Real Madrid like this? West Ham most likely was a 2nd or 3rd choice for an All Star Game opponent and it shows.
"The MLS told boss Alan Curbishley they would get business class flights but when a travel firm went under, it all went wrong.
Tonight West Ham play non-league Hampton and stay overnight at a hotel near Heathrow.
Tomorrow, half the squad fly to Chicago on one scheduled flight with the remainder flying out hours later.
After that nine-hour trip, plus the wait at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, they catch another plane for the three-hour flight to Columbus before facing Crew on Sunday.
The following Thursday, the MLS All Star team — which is expected to include David Beckham — provide the opposition in Toronto.
To cap it all, this game is on astroturf and many players are reluctant to turn out because of injury fears. "
It's only a 45 min flight from Chicago to Columbus not 3 hours.
not to mention, i dont think Columbus has an intl' airport... being from Indy, i have to take a flight to either Chicago or Atlanta before i go anywhere abroad (and back to the states)... do they expect a charter jet to the states that can land in Columbus?? perhaps they should shell out the cash then..
The Sun is as reliable a source as this website is! :P
Don't do us any favors, Alan. West Ham could, y'know, feel free to not come.
MLS probably wouldn't treat Chelsea like this, but West Ham isn't Chelsea. Craig Bellamy isn't Didier Drogba. Freddy Ljungberg isn't Michael Ballack.
Given that West Ham is trying to get its United States academy up and running at full speed, it seems to me like they need the exposure a whole lot more than MLS needs them to come here.
It's not like the All-Star Game would be any less of a draw with Sunderland or Bolton Wanderers.
OMG! For the hundredth time, it's NOT ASTROTURF!
About the flight problems, that sort of sucks, and i'd be a little upset. As for the field turf issue, Toronto, get rid of it! and Hammers, get over it! Ive been playing rugby and soccer on FT for years and if you get injured its not because of the surface. MLS should outlaw the surface for spectator purposes though. watching a game on turf is absolute shite. the ball bouncing around all the time.
Life can be so unfair.
never been to columbus, but can you even fly non-stop to england?
It would be much better if they just stayed home. They're a lame EPL team with a tiny following here, no names, no other draw than it being an EPL team. If the game wasn't in Toronoto I'd expect a stadium to be half filled. As it is it will probably be the lowest TV ratings for an All-star game. Maybe that is why MLS is trying to save the money in the first place.
MLS needs to put a stop to allowing teams into the league without real grass. Until this happens this league will always remain a joke to the rest of the world.
Manager has a point though.
For athletes of that standard it's not normal to be put in economy. If MLS wants goodwill from an All-star game they better be ready to open their pockets.
BMO Field doesn't use "astroturf" to begin with.
PLEASE, do everybody a favor Hammers and stay in England, the game would be much better with a complete MLS all-star game, and MLS fans might actually care
agreed. I'd rather see and all MLS All-Star game or a skills competition than this piece of garbage. STAY HOME HAMMERS!
What a joke. Shows us up as amateurs. Hammers certainly do not need us and a deserve a little more respect. Even a lame EPL side would wipe the floor with any MLS side in a serious competition. This sort of blinkered approach is one of the things holding us back. Get real guys.
This shows us up as amatuers. What a joke. Hammers certainly do not need us and deserve a little more respect. If we're all honest even a "lame" EPL side would wipe the floor with any MLS side in serious competition. This sort of blinkered thinking is what holds a back. Get real guys.