DISQUS

DISQUS Hello! Major League Soccer Talk is using DISQUS, a powerful comment system, to manage its comments. Learn more.

Community Page

Major League Soccer Talk

MLS News & Analysis
Jump to original thread »
Author

MLS Operating in a Vacuum

Started by The Gaffer · 10 months ago

We want this league to succeed. For the future of the sport it must not only survive but thrive. However, as the European Championships heat up, Brazil is about to face Argentina in a critical COMNEBOL qualifier, the African nations spend over a month in World Cup qualifying, and the home ... Continue reading »

4 comments

  • Anon

    1 year ago

    Bob Bradley never coached Edson Buddle. Johnston made the trade for him. And you understand that Buddle was good before he sucked for a few years, right? And that some of his downturn had to do with his off-the-field personal problems?

    And in all honesty, Angel would score more if RBNY had a decent midfield attack to speak of. If you think every other MLS team wouldn't be happy to have him, you're loonier than I thought.
    reply
  • Ron (Revolt)

    1 year ago

    Your column struck a cord with me. Now, I understand the MLS feels it needs to schedule matches the same weekend as when the MNT plays - you hit on those reasons above. I really wish MLS would not play on the same weekend as the MNT - and certainly not the same day. But I think I understand some of the economics why MLS does play the same weekend and even the same day.

    However, MLS would be really wise to at least not play games within a four hour window of the MNT game. So if the MNT plays between, say, 4:30 and 6:30, MLS would not schedule any games that start or end between 3;30 and 7:30.

    Not ideal, but better than overlapping games.

    I don't understand why MLS won't do this. After all, what better what to market key MLS stars like Donovan?
    reply
  • Stan

    1 year ago

    It really rubs me wrong when people knee-jerk any perceived failing of the league as "arrogance." Especially when it concerns a league that has had to endure existential crises just to get to the point of breaking even.

    It demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of the American soccer culture, and probably some arrogance in the other direction.

    To think that MLS schedules conflicts with international tournament because it thinks itself too important is naive--it would be sympathetically so, if you weren't throwing around accusations.

    But in reality, any criticism of MLS scheduling must chew on and swallow the fact--and it is a fact, that MLS draws better for the decision. The league's attendance does not go down during these tournaments, it actually goes up slightly, probably due to the craving for live soccer these tourneys generate. It goes up especially in comparison to the actual alternatives, which are:
    1) More midweek games
    2) Playing earlier or later, in cold weather months
    3) Shortening the season

    A criticism that can't account for this reality and can't get past simplistic psychological explanations isn't going to stick, because at this point it hasn't made a case about bringing home the bacon.
    reply
  • Stan

    1 year ago

    As a sidenote, I can understand Ron's view of the issue, especially where it concerns the US team. When the US is not involved it's hard to argue that the Euro 2008 Final and the Galaxy-United game being an ABC double-header doesn't represent a golden opportunity.
    reply

Add New Comment

Returning? Login