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If the ultimate goal is to get the owners to pony up more money so their team is competitive, relegation isn't going to do it. At least not here in the U.S. What usually happens with sports teams is the attendance decreases, revenues dry up, and the team either folds or is purchased by another owner and relocated. That sucks for the fans, but it's the way things work here. On the plus side, it's pretty easy to make the playoffs in the MLS.
Attendance decreases (and in some cities just remains low from the get-go) when hopes for playoffs dwindle (which is really common in any sport here - but with MLS soccer, it’s even more so because it doesn’t attract the same level of interest as other sports). It becomes about playoffs - and nothing more; and for about half the league, those chances aren’t ‘easy’. Ultimately, what stinks for the (genuine) fans is the lower level of competitive play (the lack of P&R just being one reason of many).
There has been explosive growth in MLS recently; and the more teams are added, it would seem (at least on the surface) it will set the stage (and even be necessary) for P&R. Let’s not be quick to forget the failures/history of the NASL which died in the early 80’s.
The main thing they need to do is attract (and KEEP) young talent.
Having guys like Zlatan, Rooney, and Nani is GREAT, but then knowing that they'll only be around for a few years before retiring is sad.
There is also too big of a gap in class between players, and the teams able to acquire them.
The Colorado coach made a very strong point in this article [https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/...gap-class-mls]
Quote:
“The only way it’s going to be a quick fix is if you wave a magic wand at it and throw lots of money at it. Clearly we’re not doing that. I’ll go back to this: Every single game we go into, whether it’s Nani, whether it’s [Wayne] Rooney, whether it’s [Lucho] Acosta — every single week there are players in this league making a difference and the gap in quality is huge …
"There are teams with a lot more quality than us. And that’s what we’re competing against. And no one talks about it.”
Something also needs to be done about the scheduling. Last season, for instance, our top player missed a HUGE chunk of the season due to international duties, and several games could have been won had he been present. It makes no sense.
The main thing they need to do is attract (and KEEP) young talent.
Having guys like Zlatan, Rooney, and Nani is GREAT, but then knowing that they'll only be around for a few years before retiring is sad.
There is also too big of a gap in class between players, and the teams able to acquire them.
Something also needs to be done about the scheduling. Last season, for instance, our top player missed a HUGE chunk of the season due to international duties, and several games could have been won had he been present. It makes no sense.
I hear you (and agree) - but scheduling isn’t going to change. It particularly becomes a problem during World Cup trials/games - so much so, it can literally negate their effect on the team. MLS has talked about ‘attracting’ and bringing up young talent for years; top-level players, however, eventually go elsewhere (and return/arrive when they are no longer in their prime). They do not find the same notoriety or salary here (or the same level of competition). Think of the comparison between a Clint Dempsey or Landon Donovan vs. a Lebron James.
Something also needs to be done about the scheduling. Last season, for instance, our top player missed a HUGE chunk of the season due to international duties, and several games could have been won had he been present. It makes no sense.
Yes, those international call-ups can be hugely disruptive, particularly late in the season. Your team gets on a run, but suddenly there's this two week break and the players come back tired (or injured) and the team is now out of sync. I mean it's great that the players get to go and play for their country, but for league play it's mostly a negative.
Yes, those international call-ups can be hugely disruptive, particularly late in the season. Your team gets on a run, but suddenly there's this two week break and the players come back tired (or injured) and the team is now out of sync. I mean it's great that the players get to go and play for their country, but for league play it's mostly a negative.
Playing World Cup soccer and representing their country is the priority to the rest of the world; the MLS view is ‘it’s mostly a negative’. This is exactly (one of the reasons) why being on a different schedule than the rest of the world (and different attitudes about soccer) makes such a big difference (and holds MLS back). That said, I know our season schedule won’t change.
Playing World Cup soccer and representing their country is the priority to the rest of the world; the MLS view is ‘it’s mostly a negative’. This is exactly (one of the reasons) why being on a different schedule than the rest of the world (and different attitudes about soccer) makes such a big difference (and holds MLS back). That said, I know our season schedule won’t change.
I suspect they could safely move the schedule back a month without significantly impacting the attendance. Start in February after the Superbowl, then start the playoffs in September.
Christian Roldan's red card has been rescinded, as I thought it might. https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2019...igible-minvsea
It was a dubious call that was sold by overacting from the LAFC player. We need some type of ham acting award for the sport. Maybe a soccer razzie?
Christian Roldan's red card has been rescinded, as I thought it might. https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2019...igible-minvsea
It was a dubious call that was sold by overacting from the LAFC player. We need some type of ham acting award for the sport. Maybe a soccer razzie?
LOL! I wish they'd do something about that. Penalize those performing theatrics. It's ridiculous, and makes the whole sport look "soft" to outsiders, when really, it's FAR from being the case.
LOL! I wish they'd do something about that. Penalize those performing theatrics. It's ridiculous, and makes the whole sport look "soft" to outsiders, when really, it's FAR from being the case.
They do ‘penalize’ dives/flops with a yellow card; but if players could be shown a red immediately, I think it would curtail the theatrics more definitively.
Last edited by CorporateCowboy; 05-02-2019 at 10:45 AM..
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