DISQUS

Shell · 1 year ago

MLS has become very arrogant and quite frankly I think many MLS fans emulating their English brothers have decided to check out on the national team and focus on the club game.

Very sad indeed. Your blog will go unnoticed by the masses.

equus · 1 year ago

Nor do I subscribe to the single table argument, in a league where distances of 2,500 miles is common between stadiums. To me it makes more sense to play the clubs in your geographic area more often than clubs on the other side of the continent.
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While playing your geographic rivals may make more sense from a rivalry viewpoint and away fan support, going to a single table home-and-home schedule does not mean an massive increase in travel.

I calculated the estimated air travel for San Jose, Colorado, Chivas USA, DC United and Chicago for the 2010 season (which will include two new teams, Philly and Seattle) and compared the season-long travel versus the current 2008 schedule. On average it meant an extra 2,500 miles traveled with single table home-and-home.

Even DC United — in that northeast corridor with close neighbors New York, New England and Philly — would only have 3,000 more miles traveled in a single table (32,700 vs. 35,600).

J Harris · 1 year ago

Many of us root for england because the football is quite frankly better to watch and we know the US will never win anything and likes to play where they are comfortable in CONCACAF. We feel a kinship based on common heritage and language with England.

I am sure Italian-Americans are the same way and Latinos the same way. Honestly, the US National Team is supported by geeks or snobs if you want to call them that. I follow the team but don’t follow them the way I do England, who is playing today by the way.

Also MLS knows it must appeal to a broad base of fans not just USA fans to be successful and they are doing that. I’m glad MLS is playing tonight. It gives me something to watch after the England game.

Ron (Revolt) · 1 year ago

It is insanse for MLS to not only schedule games the same day as the MNT, but at the same damn time!

Club and country? MLS dare not bring those ads out again.

smokedgouda · 1 year ago

I agree with some of your criticisms but the tone of your column sounds like sour grapes mostly. MLS is still working out the kinks but they are growing at a reasonable pace.

Scheduling is a huge issue they need to fix. As for using the Sounders name, you can blame the owners and management of the Sounders.

Mr. Fish · 1 year ago

More SSS = more flexibility with scheduling = fewer issues like this.

In 2009, 9 of 15 teams will play in SSS.
In 2010, 10 of 16 teams will.