The Perception of the MLS in England


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The Lonious Monk

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Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?
Can't any sport seriously that doesn't have relegation
 
Can't any sport seriously that doesn't have relegation
If it does happen in the MLS, we're years away from that, although there's more chatter about it on the local football radio shows. Right now, the focus is on expansion more than anything and making the sport more welcomed and accepted in the US. In that sense, I believe it is succeeding.
 
I know some people who watch the odd MLS game on tv but whenever i've seen it i've not been impressed by the standard, still view it as a league that footballers go to for one last big pay day. It's hard to take any league seriously when Bradley Wright-Phillips is one of the big names.
 
Laughably shite.

Sky Sports News do a round-up of highlights of the games when they've been on and the presenters are practically taking the piss out of how bad it is.
 
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I was at LA Derby and Galaxy Vs Somebody or other and the standard is beyond pretty awful. Been given the run around by some properly average championship players. Still though, it was better then when I saw Beckham playing for them a few years back.
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?
It's always been seen as a place where retiring players go to get one last big wage and a US citizenship, although I'm sure the quality improves year on year. With the amount of South American players over there you'd expect it to be a lot better though.
 
I know some people who watch the odd MLS game on tv but whenever i've seen it i've not been impressed by the standard, still view it as a league that footballers go to for one last big pay day. It's hard to take any league seriously when Bradley Wright-Phillips is one of the big names.
There's definitely a feeling of desperation from the MLS in attempting to sign names over actual talent at times. It's about getting people interested because there's an opportunity to see someone who was a big name player at some point playing for the local team. When Zlatan joined the LA Galaxy there were billboards for miles about it - you couldn't go anywhere without seeing the "ZLAtan" signs.
 
it's getting better as you say, and has decent crowds numbers wise

I'm not sure how much further it can go though, we shall see
 
People over here are snobby about it. Its a league thats still growing and the games are usually entertaining. If you take it for what it is then its enjoyable.
The no relegation thing is shit, but thats american sport.
 
Until it gets rid of the franchise aspect and brings in Pro/rel I can't see it ever being taking too seriously. Just been reading about Canada creating a new 'Premier League' starting next year, with long term idea of having football clubs instead of franchises and pro/rel between 3 divisions, be interesting to see how that goes down in North America.
 
Being an American and a fan of football, I have been following the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club) since talks first started of this team forming three years ago to this, their opening season. I have traveled to away matches in Portland, Seattle, and this weekend, San Jose and I have to say that the quality of play plus the passion of the fans has greatly improved in the past couple of years. I am not comparing it to the Premier League, but comparing the MLS and its fans a few years back to now; there's a huge difference. The fans are chanting, singing, and cheering for the entire game and it's truly a very fun and contagious environment. Football (soccer) is becoming a big thing here in America, and you can see it and feel it when you attend these matches or just walking around some of these cities. The advent of the LAFC is a good thing for the MLS and for Los Angeles, you see a lot of excitement about the team everywhere you go.

There's talk about how the MLS is looked at differently now in England as well, but I rather hear it direct from the source.... so has the perception of the MLS in England truly changed?


It’s utter shite*, money for awldies looking for a final payoff












* never seen it
 
If it does happen in the MLS, we're years away from that, although there's more chatter about it on the local football radio shows. Right now, the focus is on expansion more than anything and making the sport more welcomed and accepted in the US. In that sense, I believe it is succeeding.
Also, I don't like the Eastern v Western conference playoff format,
 
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