A purely American soccer league must take the step of changing the goal post dimensions.   As it is now, posts are at a height of 8 feet.  An American league should make the bold move of moving the height of the crossbar higher.  The crossbar needs to be adjusted by the length of 2 soccer balls to make the new height 8 feet + 2 balls. 

At first glance, this adjustment in the goalpost appears to be only for offensive purposes.  But, for every goal scored under these new conditions, there will also be one great save made by the goalkeeper. 

An American soccer league must take into consideration that sports fans will not settle for an average score of 2.5 goals per game.  It is all about offense.  Americans are looking for at least double or triple the amount of goals that are being scored now.  The ideal average score to attract sports fans to soccer in the U.S. would be 4-3. 

Making the sport mainstream should always be priority, unless soccer is only looking to fill a niche, and is satisfied being a peripheral sport in the U.S.  Raising the goalposts will create more drama, entertainment and the unexpected.  By having the posts a little higher, players can aim a little higher. 

Common sense dictates that there would be 10 times the amount of richochets than there are presently.  Goalkeepers, averaging 6 foot 3 inches, are now able to get to almost every ball level with the crossbar.  But raising the crossbar would mean that they would not be able to get to every ball level with the crossbar.  

These ricochets from the goalposts back onto the playing field will delight the fans.  Fans tend to always ooh and ahh when balls hit the posts.  With the ricochets, come more saves, more surpise and more pace. 

Recently, a still living legend, the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, winner of 10 NCAA basketball championships with UCLA, said that basketball should raise the rims from their present height of 10 feet.  This declaration by the most recognizable teacher of the game is an admission that the game as it is now, according to Wooden, can be better.  By raising the rim, players will have to be more creative with their shots, and thus, will rely less on dunks and put-ins.  Basketball has lost a good deal of strategic play because of the ease of the layup.

Sports must evolve with the times.  Players are taller and more athletic than players from the past.  Dimensions from the playing field should progress and change according to what is best for sports fans to enjoy. 

Regardless of the goalie’s position and distance from the goal, few scores are made that actually travel over the extended arm of a goalie who is in a standing position.  It is time for American pro soccer to take its shot.  Increase the size of the goal and see how many more attempts on goal there will be and see how much more exciting the game can be.

In order for Soccer to make it to the U.S. sports fan’s main menu, it must play a schedule that has both sense and purpose.  An American professional soccer league must begin play every year 1-2 weeks before the Major League baseball season begins and it must end its regular season 3 weeks before the start of the NFL season. 

A professional league must make every attempt to take advantage of the U.S. sports calendar so that soccer can get the limelight needed to reach diehard U.S. sports fans.  Every ounce of sports spectating in America, including awards shows, is scheduled to a specific time in the year in order to gain a place within the public’s eye.  

When there is a hole or dip in the sports schedule, like the MLB all-star game, soccer must fill the spot in a big way.  This year and in past years, professional soccer has not scheduled games on baseball’s all-star break.  This is an error in judgement from those who are the decision makers for professional soccer.  Professional soccer should always try to maximize its exposure in the sports spectator calendar, especially on days when no other major U.S. sports are being played. 

There are few holes left in the sports calendar, but tradition doesn’t need holes in schedules.  Tradition can bring professional soccer to its rightful place on the U.S. sports calendar.  Tradition should be that professional soccer always stays one step ahead of both baseball and footfall.  Placing its regular season on the U.S. sports calendar for the months of March, April, May, June, and July, with its playoffs in August, will stabilize and solidify professional soccer’s niche in the sports spectator marketplace.

Professional soccer in the U.S. from March to August should build towards a 40-50 regular game season.  The schedule must find consistency from year to year and only allow interference from the most reputable tournaments(i.e. USOC, CCL).  Clarity in the schedule and more games means more opportunities for pro soccer to make a lasting impact with U.S. sports fans.

The perfect start to the 2009 season would be the first day of spring, Monday, March 23rd.  Monday Night Futbol would be the perfect anecdote to keep the fans engaged and enthused over a 20-week professional soccer schedule. 

The schedule should permit for play Thursdays through Mondays.  Friday nights will see a heavy schedule.  Saturdays will see a heavy schedule for day and night, while Sunday will see a heavy schedule for day and late afternoons.  Monday and Thursday nights will see a lighter schedule. 

Teams should prepare to travel for 2-3 game sets (against the same team) over a 3 to 5 day period, similar to professional baseball.  There should be games to view on television from Thursdays through Mondays all over the country.

Scheduling is the most critical element to ensuring that soccer gains the most exposure possible.  Groups of games must start one after another.  By staggering the start times, fans watching on television, should be able to see games in a consecutive manner.  Start times need to be prepared long in advance.