Do you pay attention to the MLS (Major League Soccer)?
By bayernfan
@bayernfan (1430)
Canada
April 1, 2009 2:10pm CST
Is the MLS on your radar screen? If so, which team do you follow? If not, do you think that the quality of Major League Soccer is too poor?
I watch Toronto FC. They have started the 2009 season with a win and a tie in two road games. Our home opener is this Saturday. TFC's first two season's have been dismal, so here's hoping the streak continues against Seattle.
2 responses
@mrtimharry (1180)
•
2 Apr 09
Again I am from the UK so if you search around you can find a few highlights of US games, I think they were on Five last year. These games though were mainly based around those that David Beckham was playing in.
From my point of view the MLS has been able to attract only a few really big profile players like Beckham, Xavier, Angel. But there are also a number o fplayers who were only average English players like Paul Dalglish, Dichio etc. It is going to take a lot of time to attract enough high quality footballer to increase the overall quality of the league, players who won't go until the quality is higher, so a semi vicious circle.
Also money is only going to attratc a few players as the wages on offer in Europe do not really mean that the players have to move in search of money to sustain their life style.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
2 Apr 09
The salary cap is a major detraction when it comes to attracting talent. Some players in the MLS get paid less than $30,000. The designated player rule allows some teams to attract bigger names, but salaries aren't the only quality issue facing the MLS. The product on the field isn't first class. Some teams aren't even playing in football specific stadiums. Some games are played on fields with lines from lacrosse, baseball or American football. 
Many teams don't have much of a fan base and play in front of sparse crowds. Toronto FC has rabid fans though. 
David Beckham is quite the talent even in his advanced footballing age. He seems to fit in quite well at AC Milan. His performance at the MLS all-star game versus West Ham United in Toronto last year was impressive.
Many teams don't have much of a fan base and play in front of sparse crowds. Toronto FC has rabid fans though.
David Beckham is quite the talent even in his advanced footballing age. He seems to fit in quite well at AC Milan. His performance at the MLS all-star game versus West Ham United in Toronto last year was impressive.@mrtimharry (1180)
•
2 Apr 09
Beckham made a hurried decision when he left Real Madrid and once he found he was playing in the first team and winning the title he knew he had made a mistake and gone to America too early. He has a few more competitive years left in him so his loan time in Italy is probably best for him and also England.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
5 Apr 09
It might have cost Beckham a fair bit of cash, but he has rectified the situation. He fits in very well with the rossoneri. Becks' move back to Europe benefits the English National squad and perhaps it will encourage AC Milan to release some of their other older talent for some fresh faces.
@Misiufraggle (287)
• Poland
4 Apr 09
I was in Columbus a couple of years ago, and I wanted to see a Columbus Crew game whilst I was there, but unfortunately they were playing somewhere else.
I think until the MLS can attract some big players still at the top of their game, whilst they are in their 20s and not their 30s, they will find it hard to attract much attention overseas. For this to happen the MLS needs to be able to compete with the big European leagues for players, by offering more money.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
5 Apr 09
The MLS doesn't have a shot at quality young European talent with the salary cap in place even if the level of quality were better. The MLS has a hard enough time trying to attract talent from Central and South America, let alone Europe.
@Misiufraggle (287)
• Poland
5 Apr 09
That is true - although have the MLS not brought in some sort of "Superstar" rule, to allow clubs to bring in big names like LA Galaxy did with Beckham?
You make a good point actually by mentioning players from South and Central America. Perhaps that is where the MLS needs to concentrate its scouting. If they can persuede a few good players from these countries to play in MLS, even as a "stepping stone" before they go on to play in Europe, then that would raise the quality of the league.
