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Orange Blooded [4947]
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Soccer question for fans (please ignore if not a soccer fan)
Jul 1, 2014, 9:02 AM
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I just wanted to get an idea of what informed soccer fans think of the future of soccer in the US. I know the MLS is growing but it will be a very slow process to get the quality of players and pay to take it to the next level. The english, spanish, and german leagues are all very exciting to watch but unless you have a team to support it is difficult to bring new fans on board. That is the same with the Champions league.
In my mind the US needs to find a way into these major tournaments. I would love for the MLS to gain a spot in the champions league. Sure we would get beat but it would give us a chance to grow and compete in the transfer market. The biggest problem is that it is a European league. Maybe the MLS could strike a deal to play non Europa/Champions league teams in a tournament to get things started. I believe the only way to take the MLS to the next level is to compete against the best in the world.
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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Give MLS time
Jul 1, 2014, 9:11 AM
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they're expanding into several new markets over the next few years (including Atlanta) and are more popular than they've ever been. Soccer in this country is more popular among 20-30 year olds than baseball.
As for the Champions League, the MLS currently has 5 teams (Portland, Kansas City, DC, Montreal, and New York) that compete in the CONCACAF Champions league, a competition similar to what you see in Europe but made up of North American club teams. I'd love to see this tournament get more notoriety and TV coverage in the future.
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CU Guru [1586]
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Re: Give MLS time
Jul 1, 2014, 9:27 AM
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Strongly disagree about the baseball comment...maybe 20-30 year old prefer the World Cup every 4 years but you cant say soccer in general bc I have tested some of my friends that are all of a sudden soccer fanatics and none of them can even name 5 MLS teams without google... I get that the International thing is a big deal but MLS is going to take a while...long while
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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Legend [19586]
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Re: I got the age demographic wrong
Jul 1, 2014, 11:20 AM
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No it isn't. Not even close.
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CU Guru [1586]
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Re: I got the age demographic wrong
Jul 1, 2014, 12:50 PM
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I think ppl that like it want it to be, and I could be wrong but where I am from if you played or liked soccer that was about the only sport you were good at or cared about, not saying that about everyone just saying what I have seen, so of course they are going to think its close when in reality just bc that is the sport they love does not mean it is close to MLB or NBA in this country, sorry
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Orange Blooded [4947]
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Re: Give MLS time
Jul 1, 2014, 9:40 AM
[ in reply to Give MLS time ] |
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I agree that the CONCACAF Champions League is a great tournament to be part of but it doesn't really help grow the league. The biggest problem for the MLS, not getting players, comes from two major problems.
1. MSL teams do not have the money to compete with the market.
2. Players who transfer want to play on the biggest stage (champions league).
The CONCACAF does give us a tournament to be part of and the winner gets a shot at the best in the club world cup, but we need to draw not only keep the best Americans but draw the best talent world wide to the US.
On a side note it would be great to see a relegation system set up with another league like the NASL to increase the competition within the MLS.
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Orange Blooded [4403]
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the MLS has youth programs/development stuff
Jul 1, 2014, 10:00 AM
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for the under 21's like Europe teams do but I doubt it's as in depth as those leagues are. The EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc., grow a ton of youth players into their teams like that. There have been some high profile transfers into the MLS recently but most are overseas players on their last legs like Henry for the Red Bulls from France. If the MLS can get some high level transfers and throw some serious $$$ at them it will raise the profile a bit. There are some big time foreign players that wouldn't mind living in the U.S., i'm sure...Klinsmann has made no bones about being a Californian these days and wanting to raise his kids here. If the MLS can lure some of these guys while they are still playing at a high level it can't hurt. One or two can become three or four, etc....as for American kids, the jury is still out unless they eat, sleep, and drink the game like so many overseas youth do from birth into the pro leagues' youth developmental programs.
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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The new NYC FC team is getting Lampard and David Villa***
Jul 1, 2014, 10:53 AM
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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And Orlando signed Kaka' today***
Jul 1, 2014, 11:12 AM
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Orange Blooded [4947]
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Re: And Orlando signed Kaka' today***
Jul 1, 2014, 11:54 AM
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I love the signings if only it were a few years earlier. Can't complain much every international star helps even if they will only be around a couple years.
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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Re: And Orlando signed Kaka' today***
Jul 1, 2014, 1:34 PM
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Kaka' has a few good years left, he's only 32.
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Orange Blooded [4947]
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Re: the MLS has youth programs/development stuff
Jul 1, 2014, 11:54 AM
[ in reply to the MLS has youth programs/development stuff ] |
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Well it is also more difficult because you can't buy 13 year olds in the US. At least not ones that want to play in high school or college. Players are already in the transfer market at a very young age outside of the US.
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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I agree with your side note
Jul 1, 2014, 10:41 AM
[ in reply to Re: Give MLS time ] |
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The way the MLS is set up is kind of silly and there should be relegation between the top US league and lower leagues like the NASL and USL
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Varsity [215]
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time is the answer...Just because you can't name MLS ...
Jul 1, 2014, 9:45 AM
[ in reply to Give MLS time ] |
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teams, does not necessarily mean you'd rather watch baseball. I can only name a handful of MLS teams, but would much rather go to a soccer match, even at lower levels, than baseball.
Given good beer and good food, it is a much more entertaining option than baseball or the NBA for that matter!
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CU Guru [1586]
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Re: time is the answer...Just because you can't name MLS ...
Jul 1, 2014, 10:14 AM
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I agree with the younger age groups its probably more fun to play for them constantly doing something and not standing around in the outfield, but I am saying that because if you are a soccer fan be a soccer fan, not just push it on people like many I see during this time every four years...all I am saying is you never see posts on FB or Twitter from these so called soccer fans until the world cup...just saying if you are that big of a fan of it you should prob know a few of the MLS teams LOL
I am a baseball fanatic...have always played and was my first love, I think it is the ultimate sports and not many people can handle it I get it, but I don't just watch it during the WBC I actually will watch any game on tv and even drive to local minor league games a couple times a year just because I love the game and being around it any chance I can.
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CU Guru [1586]
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Re: time is the answer...Just because you can't name MLS ...
Jul 1, 2014, 10:18 AM
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And the pushing it on people every 4 years comment was not aimed at anyone on this thread just from my personal experience with a few people...just to be clear.
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Orange Blooded [4403]
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couldn't agree more
Jul 1, 2014, 9:15 AM
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the MLS has gradually begun to get worldwide recognition as a legitimate league in the global eye but will never really get "in" unless we can play Champions League type tourneys, etc....and win some matches, etc...I really think that a lot of nations want the US to be a soccer power, in some cases, more than some of our own people do inside the country. The game is a world game, and whether you are a fan or not, you cannot deny the worldwide power of the game. I love the game and follow it closely worldwide best I can. We play a decent amount of friendlies with MLS teams but the entire league needs to get on board with the Serie A, La Liga, EPL, Bundesliga friendly scene and you know as well as I do you can win some of those with good defense and goalkeeping from time to time. We've had some guys, particularly keepers, go international and beast out over in the EPL in particular. Howard, Friedel, and Guzan are EPL greats....we need some forwards and midfielders to go overseas and really bring the heat over there and the MLS to get on board with some of the tourneys internationally. I don't think the fandom will ever catch on with the big three sports here but there is a place for it to improve greatly and I really wish it would because I love the game and have since I played in HS. They are ridiculous cardio fit athletes with serious skill sets. Anyone who ridicules them as athletes is not worth paying attention to.
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Heisman Winner [108390]
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is the mls viewed as a "developmental" league for the epl
Jul 1, 2014, 9:49 AM
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and other premier leagues in a similar fashion as the italian league and other professional basketball leagues are viewed by the nba?
how do you get passed that if the best players are constantly trying to get back overseas to the more recognizable[on a world stage] leagues?
the bend it like beckhams have never worked except for beckham's pocketbook. what kind of investment will it take from the ownership to court the best in the world in their youth instead of these players waning years?
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Orange Blooded [4947]
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Re: is the mls viewed as a "developmental" league for the epl
Jul 1, 2014, 11:58 AM
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It isn't really developmental. All of the leagues are on the same page but the difference is the money. The MLS does not have owners who can pay what the EPL or other leagues do. That is why you generally see the big stars move elsewhere. The NY team with the Yankees and Man City backing them will have money to spend. They may be able to break the trend.
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110%er [5249]
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A co-worker put it to me this way
Jul 1, 2014, 10:16 AM
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As a premise, he's from India and he follows a fair amount of Euro soccer.
Soccer is the only sport (I can think of atm) that has continuous action for an entire half. That doesn't mean it's always exciting action, but think about how many commercials you see during a soccer game.
None, except for halftime. The clock always runs, 45 minutes straight. And there are no timeouts. Heck, they put more time on the end of a half to make up for where there was no action during throw-ins, penalty setups, etc.
Due to this, it's very hard to get advertisers to buy time during a soccer game or along the side panels of a field. There's not as much outside investment in it, therefore ESPN and other networks don't pump it up except during a particularly patriotic time, such as Olympics or World Cup. Americans certainly don't care about swimming and gymnastics at an elite level until Olympics roll around, and that's all we hear about till then.
Until networks are given a way to make more money off the sport, it will be a lower tier and our athletes will go to other sports that are more sensationalized.
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Orange Blooded [3788]
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Re: A co-worker put it to me this way
Jul 1, 2014, 10:52 AM
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I would think the side panels of the field would be a very enticing advertising opportunity, since they're in view for the entire 90 minutes of the game.
You also have the incredible advertising opportunity of having your company's name on a team's jerseys, which not only gives you 90 minutes of advertising every game, but also turns every fan who buys the team's gear into a walking billboard for your company.
TV Station ad revenue is considerably lower because there are less breaks for commercials, but in terms of advertising opportunities there are some great options.
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Orange Blooded [3855]
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CU Guru [1950]
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I don't see the money being there for a really long time.
Jul 1, 2014, 10:32 AM
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The top players in the MLS are only making what substitutes are making in the top European leagues. The MLS, with a few exceptions, is still seen as the league for players not good enough to go to Europe. The difference in money between leagues is astronomical and I don't see it changing. We'll always just be about the equivalent of the top British league in basketball...a complete afterthought.
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CU Guru [1586]
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Re: I don't see the money being there for a really long time.
Jul 1, 2014, 10:38 AM
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Exactly, same reason the NBA and MLB are bigger here because the goal is to play in those leagues not the Japanese leagues or European basketball leagues... this is the main reason why I think soccer here will never get to that point and I know that doesn't make people happy but stars are going to go where the money is and they are not going to come to the US when they make a lot more and play in filled stadiums in other countries.
Having said that I can see where soccer is growing but I don't think we will ever live to see it take over the NBA or MLB in America...maybe golf and possibly Nascar in the future just bc it has ruined itself lol
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Orange Blooded [3821]
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Baseball fan enjoying the WC opinion
Jul 1, 2014, 10:51 AM
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The argument of baseball vs. soccer is valid however the very argument dooms the MLS. To the novice both are slow sports with limited scoring. However the biggest challenge facing the MLS is lack of tradition. Baseball has been around in this country for over 140 years with deep traditions and teams passed on from one generation to another. The same exact thing that occurs with the EPL.
Somehow the MLS has to find new fans to a "slow" sport unable to attract the top talent in the sport. Its a very daunting task and will take some time. IMO MLS needs to make attending a match an event and sell that whether its singing cheers throughout the match or whatever.
I can tell you as a soccer novice I am attracted to the World Cup by the spectacle and the story. I stay to watch a game if its good. A team like Italy I've switched channels within 10 minutes. I think this is why Americans are more attracted to the EPL than the MLS. Drawn by the spectacle & tradition but stay for the higher quality soccer.
Getting the World Cup on US soil wouldn't hurt either.
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Legend [16263]
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I think where the MLS has been missing the boat in terms
Jul 1, 2014, 11:12 AM
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of generating more general appeal and following lies in the league, and its TV partner ESPN, not doing enough to promote the personalities that are in the league today.
They don't necessarily need world stars to accomplish this - it can be done amongst the talent pool already in place. While any one MLS team isn't a high enough quality to compete with the more established European clubs, within the league it's all about relative strengths, and they could do a lot more to capitalize on that.
Sports fans love heroes and despise villains - either way there's an emotional attachment involved. MLS needs to embrace this concept and do more to play up and promote personalities on their clubs and in the league in this fashion. Without personal connections, much of the drama of any sporting event is lost, and the MLS seems to do little along these lines to change that.
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