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USL Needs to Compete Directly against MLS

Started by The Gaffer · 7 months ago

The United Soccer Leagues has been a doormat to the MLS for too long.  They have allowed MLS to walk all over them.  MLS has taken multiple cities from the USL to put into their league and have not suffered any kind of legal troubles or image issues. 
This has been a coup for MLS ... Continue reading »

13 comments

  • kkfla737

    7 months ago

    USL is per my sources strongly considering this. They won't challenge directly but in a more subtle fashion. To a certain extent this started this past season with USL clubs raiding young players with perks who had been drafted into MLS. USL is also getting some solid investment which is football savvy unlike some of the MLS investors who like the early days of the league may panic when they don't get sufficient return on their investments quickly.
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  • undrafted

    7 months ago

    all generalities, no specifcs. What players? Which investors?

    of the top 56 draft picks into MLS (the SuperDraft), from a quick look, I can't find a single one that turned down MLS for USL1. The only one contracted to USL is pick #23 Yomby William (after signed and cut by KC midseason). I can't even find any clear defections from the supplemental picks. An undrafted player from 2007, Martin Nunez was a nice find for Carolina (after passing up a developmental deal from NY). And Jay Needham was a high profile defection - still a rarity.

    Now if you're talking about players bolting for USL after 1 year in MLS, that seems to be happening. But it's guys who MLS opts not to elevate to senior contracts since they're not yet meriting playing time.

    I'll have to ask, what 2008 draft picks were raided by USL?

    Is Rob Clark more soccer savy than Oscar de la Hoya?
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  • BishopvilleRed

    7 months ago

    USl is a bipolar league. On one level, they have clubs like PR and Montreal who do well in the CONCACAF Champs League. Then, on the other hand you have a club like Richmond that simply decides to drop a level to lower operating costs.

    USL need to solidify the base before they drive for expansion. Who's to say a club in USL won't get cold feet after slow return on investment just like an MLS club? Salary structure is different, but travel expenses and other sundry expenses add up quickly. Make sure everyone can (and wants to) compete before trying to spread out and "claim territory"

    SB
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  • undrafted

    7 months ago

    MLS has LA, Chicago, Toronto, Philly, Houston, & Seattle locked up. The Red Bulls' new stadium opens next year on spot easily accesible by public transportation. MLS has longstanding presence in New England, Denver, and Dallas. USL failed miserably in San Francisco, while the MLS fanbase in San Jose is decent. MLS has SSS's in Columbus, Salt Lake, and soon Kansas City.

    USL doesn't have the markets to compete with MLS long-term. MLS has kept salaries as low as possible. So a USL team who double their salary budget could start stealing away some MLS starters. MLS has a new CBA due soon, after which salaries will likely rise.

    I agree with USL investing a little more in top markets, while requiring the weakers ones to come up to standards or get out. They can push MLS. But I don't see how they have the right footing in the right markets to try a direct competition that'll force a merger.
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  • Jonathan

    7 months ago

    I agree that they should merger. It will give signicant more marketing leverage!
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  • eplnfl

    7 months ago

    USL becoming an arm of the MLS would work well. The real issue would be if we can in the US adopt a relegation system. Part of what American soccer is missing is the passion created by fans trying to get their promoted up and the battles to stay up. If the USL became a true first division in the European sense it would be a first in American sports and a hit with the fans.
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  • Jonathan

    7 months ago

    I agree entirely.
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  • wssvii

    7 months ago

    It is a business, and like all businesses it comes down to money. In sports, that amounts to attendance and television. MLS has ESPN. When was the last time you saw USL on a major network? The Dynamo playoff game brought 30,000 fans to attendance. The 2007 USL Championship brought what, 2000 fans to a rec field?

    The USL will never compete with MLS and I seriously doubt MLS spends much time thinking about it.
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  • Poster

    7 months ago

    If the USL serious wants to compete with the MLS, it may behoove the league to take advantage of the fact that MLS has failed to place a team in one of the boroughs of NYC. Serious cracks in the MLS' armor need to be utilized. Take advantage of the fact that MLS is frightened of promotion/demotion. And I completely agree with the idea of the poster above, contact Versus or some other such cable station that will gladly take the programing on the comparative cheap. Throw in XM Radio or the like for national exposure.
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  • Jonathan

    7 months ago

    As a non spectator of US club soccer, USL has won my respect due to the Champions League (and MLS has reinforced my view that one needs to be paid in order to watch it). Reading more about USL vs MLS, I am in favor of the league with less central planning/ intervention.
    reply
  • Joey Clams

    7 months ago

    People, USL won't be ALLOWED to compete with MLS. This isn't football or hockey. If it pretends to be a D1, it will be branded a pirate league and its players will be ineligible to play for their national teams. If the national teams select and use those players, Fifa will suspend the federations. Aside from that, you go on and on about the number of medium size cities and the possibility of "excitement" there, but you dismiss the possibility of similarlty sized cities forming the core of an independent Canadian league. The situation as it stands is ridiculous: there is no shortage of American cities but we're allowing bids from Canada to drive up the price. The whole North American soccer scene at the professional level- and I use the term "North American" reluctantly - deserves 30 days of psychological evaluation in a state facility. Both leagues and both countries would be better served if they do things the way they're done everywhere else: you look out for you own and you don't crap on your own doorstep. Of course, that would require the USSF to man up but we know FOR A FACT that MLS has bought it off.
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  • D!

    7 months ago

    If Promotion /Relagation is so great why USL is not using it with its own teams? Why?
    As for those claiming for a separate Canada league. What are you scares of. thwere are american players palying in Canada. What if canadians want to pay to see our players develop on there turf.
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  • Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys

    6 months ago

    I think USL cities like Rochester, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver could potentially make good additions to the MLS. All of them enjoyed some success during the old NASL and they could again be viable. Adding additional teams such as these would increase the league's footprint, bring in more fans, media coverage, etc.
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