The Perception of the MLS in England


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Without pro/rel it's not going to be viewed as "the real deal" by Europeans. In it's defence it's still a relatively new thing in terms of the spread and interest so has got time to grow and evolve. Same thing in Australia but even worse football. I have friends who live in US and OZ both say that the interest is growing exponentially.
 
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.
I would love to see the relegation in place here in the US, and like I said, you do hear talk about, but the MLS is fearful of how the average fan will react if their team is "relegated". In the rest of the world, fans stay loyal to their team no matter what (a la Sunderland:D) but in the US, team loyalty does not run that deep.

Also, I don't like the Eastern v Western conference playoff format,
An adoption of all the other US sports. There always has to be some major competition to determine on ultimate champion. Winning the league for the best record? In the US that would be ludicrous. Have the best team from this side play against the best team from the other side and that way we know who the real best team is...

alright, I can see why you don't take it seriously over there:lol:
 
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Positives: emergence of creatively-named derbies like El Traffico

Negatives: can't take MLS/USA seriously until promotion/relegation is introduced.
Tried getting tickets to El Traffico but they were sold out and outrageously expensive.

Having said that, I believe Atlanta and LAFC are a breath of fresh air to the MLS. LAFC is working on developing young talent, unlike the LA Galaxy who scours the world football leagues looking for players that are getting ready to retire so they can sign them up...
 
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?
The very worst thing about MLS
 
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.
This is something that always surprises me.
 
I would love to see the relegation in place here in the US, and like I said, you do hear talk about, but the MLS is fearful of how the average fan will react if their team is "relegated". In the rest of the world, fans stay loyal to their team no matter what (a la Sunderland:D) but in the US, team loyalty does not run that deep.


An adoption of all the other US sports. There always has to be some major competition to determine on ultimate champion. Winning the league for the best record? In the US that would be ludicrous. Have the best team from this side play against the best team from the other side and that way we know who the real best team is...

alright, I can see why you don't take it seriously over there:lol:
It’s going to take a long time mate. It hasn’t had time to become a cultural thing like it is here. our fans have been watching our club for generations going back well over a hundred years it goes beyond entertainment to something way way deeper. I’m not saying it’s going to take you that long but you really need to shift your focus on producing your own talent.
 
I know very little about it but it seems to be a pension scheme for retired footballers. I watched one match when I was bored one day and they had a lumberjack on the side of the pitch with a chainsaw cutting a log up. wtf? Also the football was terrible. I think one of the teams was one of the ones Steven Taylor played for but he w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶f̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶y̶ injured

Would be interesting to see if some of the teams could set up an intercontintal competition with some of the south american teams. That could possibly increase the standard up a bit.
 
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.
A bit like what the Premier League was in the early days, a last pay day for some foreigner.
 
It’s going to take a long time mate. It hasn’t had time to become a cultural thing like it is here. our fans have been watching our club for generations going back well over a hundred years it goes beyond entertainment to something way way deeper. I’m not saying it’s going to take you that long but you really need to shift your focus on producing your own talent.
Well said, and I 100% agree. The percentage of domestic talent in the league has diminished. This is the one major issue that I have with the MLS, they are so hell bent on making it more attractive to fans that they are going after the names. The interests in the Premier League and La Liga in the US has grown incrementally- you see the jerseys everywhere. In attempting to catch on that wave, the MLS has focused on bringing in players that people know - even if they are on their last legs. It's all about being attractive, instead of productive.

The issue with not developing young, domestic talent is evident in the fact that the USMNT is not in the World Cup - but that's a thread on its own...
 
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.
Plenty goals in it and it's not as bad as people make out I'm going to my second MLS game in August Orlando against Atlanta can't wait la galaxy wasn't half a piss on to get to like
 
I know very little about it but it seems to be a pension scheme for retired footballers. I watched one match when I was bored one day and they had a lumberjack on the side of the pitch with a chainsaw cutting a log up. wtf? Also the football was terrible. I think one of the teams was one of the ones Steven Taylor played for but he w̶a̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶f̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶p̶l̶a̶y̶ injured

Would be interesting to see if some of the teams could set up an intercontintal competition with some of the south american teams. That could possibly increase the standard up a bit.
The interest in the US is the European leagues, not the South American ones. Look at all the friendlies that get set up with European football clubs...
 
Plenty goals in it and it's not as bad as people make out I'm going to my second MLS game in August Orlando against Atlanta can't wait la galaxy wasn't half a piss on to get to like
Atlanta is a fun team to watch. Even if they did beat the shit out of the LAFC :D
 
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