Comments on: USL Should Compete Directly against MLS

By: Roger

Roger — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:45:53 +0000

Another advantage of the promotopn / relegation syetem that nobody talks about is that it is a self adjusting system.
Imagine that MLS would get to 20 “franchises” (that word makes me think of Mc’donnals); wich by the speed MLS has grown would be 2020 or something like that.
The us soccer gurus got together and decided that those are the best markets for MLS. But life is allways changing and in 3 or 5 years there may be changes on the condition of those markets. So you know what thet will do? Remember the Fusion?
Promotion and relegation is the perfect solution for soccer to keep up with economical and social changes, that way if a club is mismanaged or the economy of certain market suffers, the club most probably would get relegated. In a lower division it may get a brake because expenses will be less; giving it time to recover and fight back for promotion.
This could also work the other way around,a small market today may be a perfect fit for the main stage in a couple of years and pro/rel will give the that needed chance.

Imagine the exitment that would bring if places like Rochester,Charleston,Montreal and many others would have a chance of promotion?

Dont you think those clubs would want to invest more and built better teams if results on the pitch will be the judge of their league status?

How could promotion and relegation be bad for US soccer?

By: Ted Westervelt

Ted Westervelt — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:50:13 +0000

Why do we keep trying to force soccer into our stilted sports consciousness? Stop and think: If the FA decided on a franchise model, instead of an open model at it’s inception – soccer may have stayed as domestic as the football or baseball did to the US. Free your mind from the franchise. Make the transition now. Within three years, we can have three vibrant 20 team leagues whose clubs are all fighting to advance. Or, we stay isolated from the rest of the world and continue to run top division U.S. soccer like an Applebee’s franchise.

By: Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys

Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:43:30 +0000

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.

By: D!

D! — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:31:25 +0000

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.

By: Joey Clams

Joey Clams — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:32:06 +0000

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.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:50:18 +0000

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.

By: Poster

Poster — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:08:49 +0000

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.

By: wssvii

wssvii — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:47:45 +0000

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.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:15:04 +0000

I agree entirely.

By: eplnfl

eplnfl — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:08:29 +0000

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.