To those who constantly state that MLS is now broadcast all over the world:
Is there really demand for it? Are people actually talking among themselves about how great MLS games are? Honestly, that whole broadcasted on X countries claim is like the “attendance” figure.

The best thing for MLS would be to focus on localized talent.

I think when it comes to MLS, it's the glass half empty or half full. I'm one of those who is hopeful of the league, not because I drank the Kool-Aid, but because if you take a look at the history of the NFL,NBA and NHL you can see striking similiraties with the short history of the MLS. In fact, MLS is overcoming more hurdles than these leagues did. We neglect the fact that the modern era of technological globalization and consumerism actually slows the growth of non soccer fans toward soccer. Back then you didn't have the choices you have now, cable and the internet did not exist. Ratings are down across the board, the NBA, NHL, MLB cannot afford to have their most followed teams out of Finals or World Series because ratings go down dramatically. It also includes the regular season. Television, radio, print media, music, they all have suffered because the landscape has changed, it has become more difficult to adapt in order not lose money. Look at the transformations of MTV, talk radio, ESPN to appeal to audiences. MLS is not the exception.

Ten years ago the ratings were a little better, mainly because soccer fans did not have the options they have now. Gol TV, FSC, ESPN Deportes, Justin tv, etc… I'm not making excuses for MLS because until the quality improves and more stars, no gimmick is going to catch the casual viewer. Ratings is the last thing I am worried about when we talk about progression of soccer in this country, don' t get me wrong, it's sad to see anemic ratings. If we study sports history, you will see that the last hurdle for real stablishment for the leagues was televison. That is true for NFL, NBA, NHL and WWE(I don't consider it a sport). MLS still has a lot of growing to do and there are different phases that we must go through in order to get to where we want to be.

ESPN has a lot to be blamed for when it comes to the type of image that MLS has in America. You cannot sell a product when the people who sell don't know the product. A buddy of mine that I use to work with, now works for ESPN Deportes in Bristol. He was part of the production crew for MLS Primetime and he tells me that there was no real commitment to give a good product even if the hosts wanted to, no real understanding from executive producers. Believe me, a good show starts at the top, not with the host. ESPN Deportes is succesful because they have people in charge who understand and are passionate about soccer and know what people want . I really believe that if ESPN showed good analysis and more coverage, the other hosts and commentators wouldn't be so quick to make dumb comments, completely disrespecting our league. I don't believe that this will make soccer way more popular, but it will help.

MLS will keep growing, just look at Seattle and Toronto.

Angel, Blanco, etc did this. Becks did not!

Look, anyone who has a vested interest in seeing MLS excel and grow welcomed the Beckham move with open arms. Financially and from a PR perspective it was a shot in the arm to an already good, not great, league. I disagree with the notion that the quality of play has decreased since his arrival. It's gotten better from year to year and the last two seasons didn't change anything.

Anybody who knows anything about soccer knew that David Beckham the soccer player wasn't going to light this league up because at the end of the day, Becks is a complimentary player who has a world class right peg. Having Alan Gordon on the end of his crosses as opposed to Pato, Kaka and Ronaldinho is apples and oranges.

With that being said, Donovan and Buddle had career years due in large part to the quality that is Beckham. The fact that only a few people can realize that is fault of average sports fans who were expecting Becks to score 15 goals. This of course is not unlike the unrealistic expectations heaped upon a 14 year old Freddy Adu with their ridiculous comparisons to Pele.

At the end of the day, MLS will either make some decent money on a transfer fee to AC Milan (remember, he came to MLS on a free transfer) or they will shoot themselves in the foot by remaining adamant that he return to the Galaxy for the 09' season and then he will opt out of his contract and go to Milan on a free at the end of the 09' season.

With that knowledge and Beckham's relatively quick success at Milan, sell him and sell him now. Make money on the deal or MLS will have some serious egg on their face by January of 10'

Having said all that, while Becks wasn't the shot in the arm on the soccer side of things (in terms of improving the level of play, bringing other stars to MLS) he was a shot in the arm in terms of press and butts in the seats. The 66k in New York and the 45k and 36k in DC the last two years is proof of that, as well as the sellouts in all the smaller MLS stadiums (Crew Stadium, Pizza Hut Park, Dicks Sporting Goods and Toyota Park – even though MLS screwed up big time by scheduling this match on a WC qualifiying day) this past season when normally they would have probably been 25-50% fewer people in the seats.

MLS will miss the Beckham effect, no matter how much it has dwindled in two years