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designated players
eurofication
If only you knew how hard I have been working, to no avail, to bring in some European expertise onto TIAS. I’ve long thought some opinion on our game from outside perspectives could bring some much needed education and enlightenment into our version of the beautiful game. Leave it to our Europe-entreched cohorts Yanks Abroad to bring in just such a voice with Poul-Henrik Worm. He has been paying attention to US sports - he’s never missed a Super Bowl - and has some ideas specifically for MLS. Get out the paddle. As an opponent to expansion (it waters down an already diluted league) and our classic American playoff system (as an Atlanta Braves fan, I’d be thrilled to see everybody ((save the NFL)) make regular season games count for something), I’m happy to hear this sage advice coming from some one/where that has greater experience than myself or my country. Even if his name is Worm.
PROMOTING RELEGATION [Yanks Abroad]
Randal Kauffman
on Nov 29th, 2006 - 5:19pm
The present financial situation of MLS doesn’t permit the relegation format. With MLS losing money, the team owners simply are not going to make the financial investments necessary to sustain the league if the team they are supporting could get relegated. It is simply too much risk to ask them to take.
As for the playoff format. It is correct that a team that played great all year could play one bad playoff game and have a bad season. A rash of injuries at the wrong time can result in the same thing. However, Americans consider the pressure involved in the playoffs to result in the true champion rising. In other words, Americans believe that a true champion can handle the pressure of the playoffs. I, for one, believe that there should be a single table. The top teams in the table then participate in the “playoffs” of the international competitions (such as the CONCACAF Champions Cup or the new competition between MLS teams and the Mexican league teams).
Ric
on Nov 29th, 2006 - 5:40pm
I think Randal brings up some good points about MLS owners not wanting to risk their investments. Further, let’s look at it from the perspective of a USL team owner: the possibility arises where you will now have to pay more (salaries, concessions, travel, etc), and if your fan base doesnt expand (even with the higher level of competition), you’re now running at a loss.
And, as the rumor goes, the conference champions will make the MLS-FMF Interliga. So will the US Open Champ and the MLS Cup Champ. Just like the Supporter’s Shield winner now makes the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
While I think these are nice suggestions, I’d rather have a league that will be (close to if not) permanently viable economically before we worrying about changing too much too soon.
Charley B
on Nov 30th, 2006 - 5:20pm
One way to appeal to Americans’ sensibilities is to pit our best team against other top teams in other countries. At worst case, we should definitely have some sort of tournament in conjunction with Mexico. Ideally, we would have a league winners tournament throughout the Americas. Think Champions League but w/ Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, etc etc. Not a new idea, but seems like a natural first step. People may start to believe in the MLS if we can topple other nations’ top pro teams. Get that good ‘ol “America…Fuck Yeah!” positive vibe spread out across the masses vs. soccer die-hards. Really at the end of the day, why not? If we get our asses kicked the first time (which I don’t think would be the case if we had something real to play for) we’ll have a quantifiable measure for the MLS’ success moving forward.
James
on Dec 2nd, 2006 - 8:30am
The one problem I see with these inter-league competitions is that we have some of that already and the games draw flies.
MLS teams have a really hard time drawing for USOC, playoff, and club competition matches on a consistent basis.
Personally, I’m skeptical as to the long term future of a MLS-FMF Champions League-Lite competition.
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