DISQUS

Juan · 11 months ago

Amen, father Kartik. Keep preaching the truth about MLS.

Jonathan · 11 months ago

The majority of the country can't drive within an hour or two to watch a local MLS game. How does MLS compete with TV viewing time of those with access to ESPN, GolTV, or FSC?

Will people tune in to watch an American product just because the viewer is American? I really don't know. In motion pictures, the answer is a resounding yes. Hence all the ewws from Joe Sixpack about subtitles. On the other hand, judging FSC's ratings, soccer fans don't ewww all over a foreign product.

I feel for MLS promoters like I feel for filmmakers & promoters abroad (who are trying to promote local films) who are crowded out by Hollywood products.

Soccer Guru · 11 months ago

Face it. MLS is doomed to failure on American TV. As you pointed out previously and I've double checked, MLS actually had more viewers on ESPN's family of networks ten years ago than today.

The competition from superior leagues abroad and lack of compelling story lines in MLS makes it difficult for even the average soccer fan to keep up.

Oh and Kartik those of us who believe ESPN bought the MLS rights only to get the FIFA competitions from SUM are not conspiracy theorists. We are correct!

Enrique · 11 months ago

Completely agree with you Kartik. I think we have a big problem trying to promote MLS, Espn did a good job with the Euro, I don't think they know how to reach people and the quality definitely needs to be better so it's easier to promote. I can see any other sport getting the kind of hatred that soccer does and that fact that ESPN allows it, it's mindboggling. I think this is good, but we need more quality so MLS is not considered minor league. I love this site by the way.

Enrique · 11 months ago

Sorry, it's I can't not I can.

marty · 11 months ago

The MLS lovers on other websites are saying this is a good thing and that ESPN is at fault, but you have previously pointed out the decline in ratings for MLS over ten years.

I think this nation's soccer fans didn't know quality and that we were getting a second rate product ten years ago and now with all the exposure to european soccer, we know can differentiate between good and bad and have chosen not to patron MLS.

Joe · 11 months ago

No offense to the league or its supporters but watching MLS is like watching Single A ball compared to the Premier League which is the majors.

Mark · 11 months ago

It is amazing that as I search websites that cover MLS that this is the only one that has been truly objective about the league's failings. MLS fan like to act as if the league is in the top tier worldwide and that so many people should care about the league in this country. I support MLS, but realize what it is: a third or fourth tier league in world football whose venues are miles apart and which large parts of the country have no relationship to.

If you live in the northeast, Texas or California MLS may be great, but for the rest of us, why should we bother?

Joey Clams · 11 months ago

I follow MLS not because it's better than EPL or La Liga but because it's the league of my country and because I enjoy watching a sport evolve as much as I enjoy watching it at its highest level. But I don't enjoy having my intelligence insulted by idiots like Rob Stone, the gushing sagacity of Judy Foudy, the affectations of Alan Hopkins. Nor do I appreciate the cheerleading of Della Camera (who I had always respected) or the fumbling phoniness of the albeit improving John Harkes. FSC is worse, unfortunately, with the capable but unrestrained Bretos and the Sybil of Soccer, the supremely affected and very weird Chris Sullivan. Sorry, sportsfans, but it's hard to enjoy a telecast when the producers of it have such disregard for the intelligence of its audience. If it fails, it fails. I prefer silence to insults. So screw MLS if it's kept in the dark.