Winds Changing? Criticism of MLS Coming from within US Soccer.

[Slow Xavi]

Didn't see this coming, but post World Cup there has been a substantial amount of criticism/push for reform of MLS coming from within US Soccer.

First there was Arena's criticism of the single-entity approach and Garber's response.

Then there were a number of stinging quotes from Klinsmann, first about promotion/relegation and picking an NASL player over MLS players, then a fair amount of implicit criticism of MLS quality and players who opt to play there instead of Europe (with focus on Bradley and Dempsey). Here is Garber's none too pleased response.

Some of this is not particularly new (the blogosphere has been all over the MLS for awhile on lots of these issues); just for a long time it felt unpatriotic to criticize MLS at-all . . . as a US soccer fan just wanted the league to survive.

Is this public criticism the sign of maturation in the sport here?

[Unregistered]

Didn't see this coming, but post World Cup there has been a substantial amount of criticism/push for reform of MLS coming from within US Soccer.

First there was Arena's criticism of the single-entity approach and Garber's response.

Then there were a number of stinging quotes from Klinsmann, first about promotion/relegation and picking an NASL player over MLS players, then a fair amount of implicit criticism of MLS quality and players who opt to play there instead of Europe (with focus on Bradley and Dempsey). Here is Garber's none too pleased response.

Some of this is not particularly new (the blogosphere has been all over the MLS for awhile on lots of these issues); just for a long time it felt unpatriotic to criticize MLS at-all . . . as a US soccer fan just wanted the league to survive.



Is this public criticism the sign of maturation in the sport here?

It's just reaffirming what we already know.... MLS sucks.

[Unregistered]

MLS totally sucks!!

It's just reaffirming what we already know.... MLS sucks.

I would agree. MLS totally sucks.

You want to see good soccer? EPL, Serie A, Bundsaliga, La Liga.....heck, even the main league in Holland is far superior to MLS.

The best/dominant players are playing in Europe. Those that either cannot make a premier team in Europe, or washed up guys, soon to retire, are playing in the MLS.

Such better soccer played in Europe right now.

[Unregistered]

What is surprising about this? Just watch the Timbers. They are slow and play ugly soccer. The lack of promotion and relegation only reduces the competitiveness in the MLS and soccer in the US. If there were real risk in finishing toward the bottom clubs would take investing in developing players more seriously..... again just look at the Timbers.

[Unregistered]

What is surprising about this? Just watch the Timbers. They are slow and play ugly soccer. The lack of promotion and relegation only reduces the competitiveness in the MLS and soccer in the US. If there were real risk in finishing toward the bottom clubs would take investing in developing players more seriously..... again just look at the Timbers.

Or instead of relegation you just reduce the salary cap for the bottom 2 teams in each division. Then they'll have to get smarter at putting a good team on the field or go out of business eventually, to be replaced by someone new.

[Unregistered]

who cares

Didn't see this coming, but post World Cup there has been a substantial amount of criticism/push for reform of MLS coming from within US Soccer.

First there was Arena's criticism of the single-entity approach and Garber's response.

Then there were a number of stinging quotes from Klinsmann, first about promotion/relegation and picking an NASL player over MLS players, then a fair amount of implicit criticism of MLS quality and players who opt to play there instead of Europe (with focus on Bradley and Dempsey). Here is Garber's none too pleased response.

Some of this is not particularly new (the blogosphere has been all over the MLS for awhile on lots of these issues); just for a long time it felt unpatriotic to criticize MLS at-all . . . as a US soccer fan just wanted the league to survive.

Is this public criticism the sign of maturation in the sport here?

Blogging! Social Media! Internet/Wi-fi to every household phone, I pad Twitter and Facebook that's why it's presented.

Also it must of been a slow sports newsday. The one baseball game championship game was rained out, no NFL mid week games and basketball season hasn't begun.

American soccer has no real columnists in any markets.

Just the local stringer match reporters who really wish they could cover a sport people watched on TV. So they do their best to report the most mundane aspects of a global sport that the NFL, MLB & NBA fan could care less about.

It's awesome.

Nobody wants to cover soccer at the sports departments.

Talking about the reality of a league that's structure hasn't changed began in the mid 90's in 2014 tells you no journalists or sports fans really care. 20 years of apathy.

Take it as 15 minutes of fame...reset and return to socialized crap american soccer.

Sad but true.

[Unregistered]

MLS sucks. Just watch a Timbers match.

[Unregistered]

MLS sucks. Just watch a Timbers match.

Your mom sucks too...real good.

[Slow Xavi]

It's just reaffirming what we already know.... MLS sucks.

I would agree. MLS totally sucks.
***

What is surprising about this? Just watch the Timbers. They are slow and play ugly soccer. ****

MLS sucks. Just watch a Timbers match.

It is hard to argue with Klinsmann's critique, although reading the comments in Garber's response you see some folks arguing Klinsmann is nothing but a euro-snob. Timbers though are trying to play decent soccer . . . think Valeri is class.

Interesting piece is that neither Arena (who has made his living off of the MLS largely) nor Klinsmann want MLS to fail; but in each case arguing for some change.

*****

American soccer has no real columnists in any markets. *****

Take it as 15 minutes of fame...reset and return to socialized crap american soccer.

Sad but true.

Agree, sport's press largely ignores MLS and those who do pay attention seem to largely serve as PR mouthpieces for MLS. However, the coverage of this spat is not all of it is glowingly pro-MLS. Just interesting that criticism/push for evolution of MLS is not just coming from MLS-haters . . . I read it as some evolution in the US soccer fan/press.

One columnist though argues this says as much about changes in MLS ownership.

[Unregistered]

Ownnership change would be welcome

The MLS owns all the teams.

Local ownership would be a nice start. Not the current set up of the league of McDonalds franchise's.

That's what people don't realize the MLS owns every team.

[Unregistered]

Your mom sucks too...real good.

Not as well as the Timbers, and it costs more.

[Unregistered]

Didn't see this coming, but post World Cup there has been a substantial amount of criticism/push for reform of MLS coming from within US Soccer.

First there was Arena's criticism of the single-entity approach and Garber's response.

Then there were a number of stinging quotes from Klinsmann, first about promotion/relegation and picking an NASL player over MLS players, then a fair amount of implicit criticism of MLS quality and players who opt to play there instead of Europe (with focus on Bradley and Dempsey). Here is Garber's none too pleased response.

Some of this is not particularly new (the blogosphere has been all over the MLS for awhile on lots of these issues); just for a long time it felt unpatriotic to criticize MLS at-all . . . as a US soccer fan just wanted the league to survive.

Is this public criticism the sign of maturation in the sport here?

Cronyism.

[Unregistered]

The MLS owns all the teams.

Local ownership would be a nice start. Not the current set up of the league of McDonalds franchise's.

That's what people don't realize the MLS owns every team.

I don't believe that is the case. MLS owns all the players except for the home growns and the designated players. This does create a weird dynamic, MLS owners approve and create new franchises, and in some cases multiple franchises are owned by the same entity, but I don't believe MLS owns all. For example, man city is partial owners in NYCFC, Beckham's group are the owners for the Miami club. Merritt Paulson owns the Timbers, Drew Carey and his group own the Sounders

[Unregistered]

What is surprising about this? Just watch the Timbers. They are slow and play ugly soccer. The lack of promotion and relegation only reduces the competitiveness in the MLS and soccer in the US. If there were real risk in finishing toward the bottom clubs would take investing in developing players more seriously..... again just look at the Timbers.

I have often said that MLS needs a champions league at least if they are not going to have promotion and relegation.

[Unregistered]

I have often said that MLS needs a champions league at least if they are not going to have promotion and relegation.

They do participate in the CONCACAF Champions League. And get their butts kicked most games...