Sometime last week I read an article somewhere about the format of the MLS season and playoffs and how the MLS Cup is required to keep the interest of the American fans and the US Open Cup is meaningless. I fully disagree.
I would love to see the division of east and west teams go away. One table is all that we really need in the MLS, it is afterall going to be only 13 teams this coming year.
I have a very hard time beleiving that the American fan who is on the fence about supporting MLS thinks “hmmm, should I watch this new sport that I see on ESPN2 every once in a while and ABC twice a year? Well they do have a playoff system just like every other major sport that I’m used to watching, ok, I’ll watch”.
I do understand the excitement of a one game winner takes all game, but we already have that in the US Open Cup final. It is too bad that a lot of casual MLS fans probably don’t even know about the USOC.
So I don’t beleive many current fans would lose interest only because there was no more playoffs and MLS Cup. The MLS Cup is a pretty un-specatacular event itself. This usually takes place on an afternoon with ABC giving hardly any pre or post game coverage, along with a crappy half time show.
On the other hand I think switching the league to a one table format without playoffs would attract the attention of the soccer fans in America who think the MLS is an un-worthy step-child of the European leagues that they do support. Drop this Americanization of the game and people will pay attention. I will at least, but I already do so there wouldn’t be much gain….
In order for this to happen I think a relagation/promotion system should be put into place with the top USL teams. This gives some meaning to the teams that are not up at the top of the table and makes games worth something between the bottom 2 teams. With no penalty for finishing last place, the teams don’t have as much to play for.
I doubt this will ever happen, but it is just my wishfull thinking this weekend. I want to go see the Minnesota Thunder fight to save their spot in the 2nd division, and maybe someday fight for a spot in the 1st division!
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