maybe these EPL lovers are actually AT their local MLS/USL/PDL game instead of watching them on TV.
Neal
· 1 year ago
MLS needs to do several things in order to be successful. Get rid of the confrences a.k.a. single table, get rid of the allstar game and playoffs, a.k.a supporters shield only. get rid of the salary cap and garbage college draft. Play only the Champions League for right now. Keep the game simple, don't try to Americanize it. Thank you.
Jester
· 1 year ago
Keep in mind FSC shows multiple EPL games each week end, but only one MLS game. And, that MLS game is usually on at the same time as all the other MLS games. I dont watch too many MLS games on FSC simply because I am watching MY MLS team at the same time. Thursday nights on ESPN though dont really have any competition for soccer viewers and their ratings are higher than EPL games on FSC. I think that if FSC started showing a Sunday game in addition to their Saturday game, veiwer ship may be a much higher as there usually aren't as many Sunday MLS games.
Silverbacks Fan
· 1 year ago
This is not good news. I hope Jester is right and these people are simply watching the other games on HD Net and Direct Kick on Saturday nights.
MLS Fan
· 1 year ago
you know something. the people watching the premier league those who hate mls anyway. the vast majority of premier league fans are elitist and condescending. i do not care to win them over anyway.
Jonathan
· 1 year ago
I'm an EPL fan and watch overseas gaems but a fan of MLS (I'd be a USL fan if we didn't have an MLS team closeby). In order for U.S. soccer to grow - we need to build and soccer U.S. soccer. It's very important the U.S. .National team(s), MLS, USL, WPS, college soccer, high school soccer and your local youth and adult leagues. The U.S. had NASL prior to the development of EPL. EPL copied the format of bringing in superstars for a superleague. I say watch EPL but more imporantly watch and attend your hometown professional team.
Timmy
· 1 year ago
Is it a threat?
HELL YES
Can we beat it back?
HELL YES
You correctly identify the threat the Premiership poses to MLS, USL, USMNT, etc here but seem to forget as MLS grows and USL continues to enjoy success in the CCL, the reputation of both leagues grows. MLS and USL both realize they have to improve their product. I've spoken to a USL GM who believes the play on the pitch has to be addressed before marketing. I'm hearing the same thing from MLS people.
This is a threat, but it also presents a unique opportunity for all of us.
huricano
· 1 year ago
I really like this site besides the anti-Euro editorial line, along with the daft series "Americanizing American Soccer." There is alot to be learned from the European leagues. I would rather MLS study the Premiership over the NFL & NBA (which I particularly hate). Of course, we need to produce a good domestic product, and the media needs to explain it. But overtime, if the MLS can be a league that runs for its fans and for the game, rather than just a corporate machine, then the game will grow in the US.
Al W
· 1 year ago
I agree with Jester's analysis. My team (Columbus Crew) are not all FSC all the time. A) When it's a home game I'm there, B) when it's an away game, it's almost always on the local affiliate.
The best part of the debate is that EPL and MLS aren't in the same timezones so that I can start my Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and a Chelsea victory and end my day with a Columbus Crew victory.
GBS for MLS MVP!
DoublePivot
· 1 year ago
I'm sick of this "Eurosnob" business.
The Gaffer
· 1 year ago
I agree. Me too. Just because someone has a difference of opinion doesn't mean they should be labelled "eurosnobs." You don't see EPL fans calling MLS junkies "usasnobs." It sounds trite, but why can't we all just get along?
Cheers, The Gaffer
DoublePivot
· 1 year ago
We can't it seems. I went to a game with a group of MLSers and they shunned me because I like Tottenham. Nevermind that I used to be a season ticket holder and had a shirt none of them could remember. Because I wasn't a season ticket holder now (a choice forced because of the birth of my son) and like to talk about other leagues as well was enough for them to almost want to have a go at me. This is my lasting impression of the MLS.
They have set up and us vs them mentality when there was no need for one and they drive us away from their sport. And to see Kartik doing it, helps nobody.
Les
· 1 year ago
kartik, have you come over from the dark side?
it is an us vs them situation double pivot and gaffer. the fans of european or let me take it a step further english football have made it such.
they constantly put down any mls action they see, ridicule the us national team and don't make any attempt to appreciate that the game can be different in different parts of the world. to quote alexi lalas, "because it's english everyone thinks it's so great."
kartik's disturbing articles about the superiority of the true football which he labeled as english had me boycotting this site. i have returned to a pleasant surprise.
i'd love to get along with everyone. so would the vast majority of american soccer fans. but the attitude of the fans of english leagues both americans and ex pats has to change for that to happen.
The Gaffer
· 1 year ago
Les, don't be so ridiculous. It doesn't have to be a "I have to support MLS or I have to support the Premiership." People like myself follow both leagues. Granted, I don't follow the MLS as closely as the EPL, but the nearest MLS team to me is 1,000 miles away. When Miami had the Fusion, I was a season ticket holder and a big supporter of MLS. Plus, I started Major League Soccer Talk - to bring attention to the league from people with uncensored viewpoints.
Rather than creating a divide, I feel that American soccer fans should grow a thicker skin and realize that soccer fans can follow other leagues and don't have to be fixated on Major League Soccer.
Cheers, The Gaffer
Ian
· 1 year ago
I've been a chelsea fan for a few years now (2% gloryhunter, 98% because they came to Seattle to play Celtic and were awesome.) I realized I was becoming a "eurosnob" when I realized I couldn't go to a college party without finding myself in long conversations about EPL with two other random snobs wearing "Big Four" jerseys while everyone else was, well, partying.
However, i've been a fan of USL Seattle Sounders since I was little. Granted, I only made it to one or two games a year. With the recent announcement of Seattle being MLS's new expansion team, I decided I would follow the MLS this season. I was incredibly surprised at caught up in the action I got, and now i'm hooked. But I never would have thought about it unless I knew a team was coming to my town.
the Sounders have sold over 17,000 season tickets so far, and we hope to keep that going. I honestly think that the only way to convert fans is to give them a team they can REALLY call their own, rather than follow blindly from across the ocean.
female nudity
· 1 year ago
Has read with the pleasure, very interesting post, write still, good luck to you!
All Comments
I think that if FSC started showing a Sunday game in addition to their Saturday game, veiwer ship may be a much higher as there usually aren't as many Sunday MLS games.
HELL YES
Can we beat it back?
HELL YES
You correctly identify the threat the Premiership poses to MLS, USL, USMNT, etc here but seem to forget as MLS grows and USL continues to enjoy success in the CCL, the reputation of both leagues grows. MLS and USL both realize they have to improve their product. I've spoken to a USL GM who believes the play on the pitch has to be addressed before marketing. I'm hearing the same thing from MLS people.
This is a threat, but it also presents a unique opportunity for all of us.
The best part of the debate is that EPL and MLS aren't in the same timezones so that I can start my Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and a Chelsea victory and end my day with a Columbus Crew victory.
GBS for MLS MVP!
Cheers,
The Gaffer
They have set up and us vs them mentality when there was no need for one and they drive us away from their sport. And to see Kartik doing it, helps nobody.
it is an us vs them situation double pivot and gaffer. the fans of european or let me take it a step further english football have made it such.
they constantly put down any mls action they see, ridicule the us national team and don't make any attempt to appreciate that the game can be different in different parts of the world. to quote alexi lalas, "because it's english everyone thinks it's so great."
kartik's disturbing articles about the superiority of the true football which he labeled as english had me boycotting this site. i have returned to a pleasant surprise.
i'd love to get along with everyone. so would the vast majority of american soccer fans. but the attitude of the fans of english leagues both americans and ex pats has to change for that to happen.
Rather than creating a divide, I feel that American soccer fans should grow a thicker skin and realize that soccer fans can follow other leagues and don't have to be fixated on Major League Soccer.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
However, i've been a fan of USL Seattle Sounders since I was little. Granted, I only made it to one or two games a year. With the recent announcement of Seattle being MLS's new expansion team, I decided I would follow the MLS this season. I was incredibly surprised at caught up in the action I got, and now i'm hooked. But I never would have thought about it unless I knew a team was coming to my town.
the Sounders have sold over 17,000 season tickets so far, and we hope to keep that going. I honestly think that the only way to convert fans is to give them a team they can REALLY call their own, rather than follow blindly from across the ocean.