Blatter: MLS "still struggling."

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by X@V!3R, Dec 30, 2012.

  1. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the next line said now if you compare it to the lower leagues....

    this is the part of the discussion that is irrelevant. no one wants to do that. we want the highest aims and will continue to fight for that.
     
  2. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    they were NOT elite. no european competition for 5 years, lower revenue, low attendance, loss of stars to foreign shores and stadia falling apart.

    these teams were falling apart and the league was almost dissolved in 1988 when 10 teams wanted to separate and become a super league of their own. highly unstable and problems abounded in the Division ONe of FA football in England.

    EPL turned that all around extremely quickly and fundamentally changed the landscape of football.

    MLS doesnt have to do that to be equal. But it shows they will be able to aim high and potentially hit those aims.
     
  3. LordRobin

    LordRobin Member+

    Sep 1, 2006
    Akron, OH
    Club:
    Cleveland C. S.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, and all you need are a dozen or so storied clubs with 100+ year histories and generational fanbases to populate your "new" league. Easy-peasy! Anyone can do it.

    ------RM
     
  4. triplet1

    triplet1 BigSoccer Supporter

    Jul 25, 2006
    All true, but when they formed a new league -- a significant event, no question -- they did it with pre-exisiting components, which was a huge advantage and makes it a much different example IMO.

    I'm not sure we even need to go there though. While even MLS' harshest critics would find little to fault with the progress made by virtually all of the expansion teams since 2002 -- Chivas excepted -- I also think staunch MLS supporters would concede many of the the pre-2002 teams still do struggle.

    Really for fans who have been cheering these teams for a decade or more, did DC United fans expect to still have their team working on a stadium and have attendance plunge to the Chivas zone?

    Do Revs fans still think their struggling, both to find a separate home and win support?

    Is RBNY relevant in the NY market after spending a couple hundred million?

    Did Dallas, Chicago and Colorado expect a bigger bump in support from their stadiums -- to be more relevant in their communities?

    Did San Jose fans expect the journey they've made to restore their team and get a stadium?

    Did Columbus expect that it would capitalize more on its early fanatic support?

    Again, I'm not trying to bash anyone here, but part of what I personally admire about MLS is that it has continued on even though this has been a struggle, and for many teams in many markets I think it still is.
     
  5. RapidStorm

    RapidStorm Member+

    Jan 30, 2005
    Denver, CO
    No, it's called acknowledging progress while simultaneously acknowledging where the next goal is. That may not be relevant to you, but it's completely relevant to this thread topic and the idiotic points Blatter made.

    Either way, you have a serious problem with grasping the concept of "conceding the point".
     
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  6. LordRobin

    LordRobin Member+

    Sep 1, 2006
    Akron, OH
    Club:
    Cleveland C. S.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, et al. weren't elite in 1992? Sure, dude. That's like saying the Dallas Cowboys are a lost cause because they had few bad seasons.

    ------RM
     
  7. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    When everyone knows that the Dallas Cowboys are a lost cause because they keep starting Tony Romo...
     
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  8. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    you think manchester united was elite in 1992??? oh my god....
    In 1993, the club won its first league title since 1967, and a year later, for the first time since 1957, it won a second consecutive title – alongside the FA Cup – to complete the first "Double" in the club's history

    Yeah they won their first title since 1967....
     
  9. barroldinho

    barroldinho Member+

    Man Utd and LA Galaxy
    England
    Aug 13, 2007
    US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    There was no European football for five years because English clubs were banned after Heysel. This is also why some of the players left. They wanted European football. In the decade prior to that ban, English clubs were a dominant force in the European Cup. When they returned in 1991, the Non-Elite Manchester United, beat Barcelona to win the Cup Winners Cup.

    The breakaway was nothing to do with the league "almost dissolving", it was about England's biggest clubs realising that by cutting the other three divisions loose, they could keep the lion's share of any exclusive TV deal to themselves. They did so and that's why we have the premiership.

    However, it's disingenuous to compare the existence of the EPL to the existence of MLS. While the top flight in England was technically and legally a breakaway, it didn't make much practical difference to the on-field aspect of the game. It just made it more financially beneficial to be in the top division. Not one of my compatriots that I've spoken to on the subject deems Manchester United's Premier League titles any differently to Liverpool's Football League championships.

    As has been pointed out, if you're saying MLS has a long way to go to reach La Liga and EPL, then I clearly agree. However, regardless of what Garber says (and I love the job he's done as commish) getting MLS to the level of those leagues is massively unrealistic. Nations that are rabid about the game, have teams with great history who have been home to some of the world's great players and who boast great national teams, can't pull that off.
     
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  10. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    this quote is why blatter says what he says.

    and now the circle is complete.

    the truth comes out.
     
  11. looknohands

    looknohands Member+

    Apr 23, 2009
    Louisville, KY
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ...that you're seriously deficient in mental ability? Yes.
     
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  12. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ok. blatter says the league isnt far enough along.

    garber wants the league to be in the top leages of the world.

    everyone here says this is not possible.

    blatter wins. he will be correct everytime if thisi s the goal MLS wishes to be measured against.

    he is a blowhard and a corrupt old fool. but americans found a way to make him right.
     
  13. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    Groooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooan.
     
  14. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ok so you deny that Garbers goal is to make this league a top league. OK lets say you are right Garber doesnt want this to be a top league. thats patently false based on mountains of evidence.

    Secondly You all say it is IMPOSSIBLE to meet that goal.

    Blatter says the league is not along the way to meeting that goal. And does not see this happening anytime soon. Almost the EXACT same thing you guys are all saying.

    Except you say you are content with the state of MLS and Blatter is not content with the state of soccer in the US.

    Blatter is on your side and agrees with all of you. You just dont agree with his conclusion that we dont have a league here.

    He is basing that on the goal MLS and Garber have. You guys dont want to have that same goal.

    So be it but at least Garber is aiming high. continue aiming low and you will never be disapointed.
     
  15. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    The consensus of this thread is that, at least since 2002, MLS could not have done a more stellar job in growing soccer in the US. The Premier League and what they did were lessons already learned in and even improved on (in a business sense) when MLS was founded as a single entity. If there is any difficulty in the road it's because nearly no other country has the sporting environment we have. MLS is the only newish soccer league in the world that has to compete against four well established leagues that dwarf every other league in revenue (except for EPL which may or may not be fifth, fourth or third).

    Garber doesn't even know enough to figure out that the things he is asking of MLS are equivalent to being larger than the EPL.

    Various posters have varying opinions on how far the league will progress but MLS' stated purpose is to be a top soccer league in world. Even when they achieve this it might not be enough to be a top league in the US. BUT THAT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THREAD!
     
  16. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I see.

    I think MLS has made mistakes along the way. there is no denying that. So it could have been done better. but yes it has gone pretty well considering some of the misteps.

    Still a long way to go.
     
  17. barroldinho

    barroldinho Member+

    Man Utd and LA Galaxy
    England
    Aug 13, 2007
    US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    The question asked of Blatter wasn't "How far along is MLS in terms of Don Garber's stated goal of making it one of the world's elite leagues?". He was asked his opinion of the league's progress. He implied that they were struggling and should have been doing better after 18 years.

    We're talking about one of the top ten attended football leagues on the planet, which has shown a notably rapid rate of improvement on an almost-yearly basis. The quality of play is well above average compared to other leagues around the world. In fact, I'd fancy the best in MLS to be competitive in the nPower Championship.

    It doesn't matter if Garber wants every team in MLS to play at the level of Barcelona by 2015. The fact remains that the league has achieved remarkable progress in it's short history. I fail to see how any league anywhere, could have been in a better position less than twenty years after starting from scratch.

    So Blatter doesn't "win". He, for the billionth time in his career as FIFA president, exposes himself as an ignorant moron.
     
  18. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    And I still don't understand how the League One teams breaking away to form the EPL has any relevance...
     
  19. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    IN a country of 315 million people getting 6 million people to go to your sporting event is not as incredible as some make it out to be.

    I thought hitting 6 million would be a big deal but I have noticed not many people care in the media.

    Then I thought about it. In the wealthiest nation in the world of 315 million people have this few people show up and being proud of it is an issue.

    in effect seattle shouldnt be the exception. it needs to be the rule for soccer to work in the US...seeing that as truth means we are nowhere near where we need to be.
     
  20. Spursfan1

    Spursfan1 Member+

    Sep 7, 2010
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    fundamentally changed the status of their league.

    we didnt have a league and now we do but only 1.9% of the country attended the games. scary.

    we need more. and it should be a serious goal to get more and not accept mediocrity.
     
  21. GVPATS77

    GVPATS77 Member+

    Aug 18, 2008
    Fullerton, CA
    Define top league. Does it mean a league that rivals the Big 4? And in what way does it rival the Big 4?

    Does it mean a Top 10 league in the world?

    MLS is already the 7th highest attended league in the world. Its one of the most financially stable leagues in the world.

    What's the definition of Top League?

    That is not at all what Blatter is saying. There was no context to his statement. He was simply stating that MLS is a struggling league.

    That statement is beyond wrong on every conceivable level.

    No he is not. Blatter is not basing his comments on the recently stated goals of MLS. He's been making the same foot in mouth comments about switching the calendar and how MLS is struggling for years now. Long before Garber or anyone else hinted what the 10 year plan was.
     
  22. Allez RSL

    Allez RSL Member+

    Jun 20, 2007
    Home
    This thread is a train wreck of a dumpster fire.
     
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  23. OleGunnar20

    OleGunnar20 Member+

    Dec 7, 2009
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    i'd think that on this metric MLS might come out very well. how many leagues can claim that no player on any team has ever "missed a paycheck". maybe 3 to 5 leagues ... if that?
     
  24. GVPATS77

    GVPATS77 Member+

    Aug 18, 2008
    Fullerton, CA
    The "founding" of the EPL was about as close to forming a "new" league as when Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to KFC.

    It wasn't a brand new restaurant, just like it wasn't a brand new league.

    It was the identical teams, identical structure, and identical affiliation with the English FA. The only thing that changed was that by detaching themselves from the other divisions and re-branding, they were able to negotiate TV rights without having to consider the lower divisions in England, allowing the EPL clubs to hoard the lions share of money for themselves.

    To try and compare the foundation of the EPL to the forming of MLS on any level at all is stupid to a level that has never been achieved by mankind. So just stop.
     
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  25. GVPATS77

    GVPATS77 Member+

    Aug 18, 2008
    Fullerton, CA
    Even the EPL (the richest soccer league in the world) had a Portsmouth team that couldn't make payroll a few seasons ago.
     

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