The best way to have a real international calendar: two breaks. So, if you want to go from August to May (middle break: Dec./Jan.), or February to November (middle break: Jun./Jul.), is up to you.
The mid break would be optional for leagues, but clubs should allow players to join the national teams.
This is relatively new in Soccer history. Until the 80's, it was a top-league in the world; and it was played exactly how it is now. The gap began in the 90's.
Clubs are required to let players join their National teams for competitive matches (not friendlies necessarily) under FIFA rules.
It is 3 foreigners max, actually. And we have the current world champs (although I do not like Corinthians)...
It is not about the weather. The fall pro sport calendar in the winter is crowded: NFL, NBA, NHL. The spring one has MLB and Lacrosse. It is easier for MLS to compete...
Not the place, but, there are serious people out there that have problems in how trustful those data can be: http://wattsupwiththat.com/ http://icecap.us/ etc.
I would not be surprised if Brazil climbs back up those ranks in the fairly near future. The European economy is in the crapper in most places, Brazil obviously has both the World Cup and Olympics coming over the next few years, and right now I believe they have the 6th largest GDP in the world and it's still growing rapidly. It's conceivable that Brazil at least slots in behind the big 4 and maybe even does better than that if economic situations continue to shift in its favor.
I was talking about the offseason as far as games played. Klinnsman and company are suggesting that we have to play matches 11 months a year. My point is MLS players don't need to play February in Chicago to become better. The NFL proves my point.
Brazil? Actually, it was in 2003. I could explain, but it would take forever. Almost anyone understands...
Hah, I thought it was 1991. I know at some point in the 90's they had a few times without playoffs. Then again, all the leagues were changing schedules constantly those days.
It depends on what you call "playoffs". Usually, the top-8 would advanced for the postseason (top-4 on 1991, 1995). The few years they did not have a bracket by then (1992, 1993, 1997), usually the Elite-8 was divided in 2 groups of 4 and their winners met at the finals. Basically, they kept a model from 1991-1992 and 1995-2002: there was a Regular Season with a single round robin (in 1995, with a twist).
Its just nice to have someone in Europe suggesting Europe move to an MLS style season for a change, rather than us defending us from FIFA trying to move to a Euro style schedule !!