Overtime gone - what should be next?

[ninety_minutes]

In an effort to be more in line with the rest of the world, MLS has decided to abandon the overtime period for tied games.

What other changes do you think MLS should make to align itself with the rest of the world?

I think a single-table system would be one of the better changes we could make at this point, doing away with the conferences.

What do you think?

[spejic]

The most important difference between MLS and European teams is that they play all their games in Europe. If MLS were to play all its games in Europe, it would make out league instantly popular. It would turn all the purists and euro-snobs into hard-core fans, and earn the respect of players around the world. No one can say that soccer cannot succeed in America ever again!

[Sempuukyaku]

The most important difference between MLS and European teams is that they play all their games in Europe. If MLS were to play all its games in Europe, it would make out league instantly popular. It would turn all the purists and euro-snobs into hard-core fans, and earn the respect of players around the world. No one can say that soccer cannot succeed in America ever again!


Haha!

:D

[MasterShake29]

The next change should be not scheduling games on World Cup Qualifying dates (or whenever the U.S. team is playing).

[denver_mugwamp]

In an effort to be more in line with the rest of the world, MLS has decided to abandon the overtime period for tied games.

What other changes do you think MLS should make to align itself with the rest of the world?

I think a single-table system would be one of the better changes we could make at this point, doing away with the conferences.

What do you think?

There must have been a couple of dozen "why don't we go to single table in MLS" threads in the last year. Have you read all those other threads and feel that you have something new to add? No? I didn't hink so.

[Bleacherbutt]

Both teams get no points for a zero-zero draw. You must score at least a goal to get the point.

loss = 0 points
0-0 draw=0 points
1-1 draw=1 point (any ties with scoring yields a point)
win = 3 points

I think this would encourage teams to go forward more.

[Benfica_fan]

I would like to see a single table. Also, less teams should make the playoffs (maybe only the top 4). I wouldn't be suprised if MLS tries it for atleast one season in future.

[ninety_minutes]

There must have been a couple of dozen "why don't we go to single table in MLS" threads in the last year. Have you read all those other threads and feel that you have something new to add? No? I didn't hink so.

No I just want to hear you gripe about it. That's not what this thread is about at all - it's how we can continue to improve the league - having a single table would be one way of doing so, of which I am sure there are many. Did you think about that? No I didn't think so.

Now go have your cig and calm down.

[Sempuukyaku]

I would like to see a single table. Also, less teams should make the playoffs (maybe only the top 4). I wouldn't be suprised if MLS tries it for atleast one season in future.

I think it's stupid as well that 8 out of 10 teams make the playoffs, but at the same time MLS is going to be expanding pretty soon so leaving the number as is won't be TOO bad. Once we get to a 20 team league having 8 out of 20 teams make the playoffs isn't too bad at all.

[spejic]

That's not what this thread is about at all - it's how we can continue to improve the league - having a single table would be one way of doing so, Why do you take it for granted that it would actually help the league? And what do you mean by "improve the league"?

[ninety_minutes]

For instance having one table you would likely ensure that the more deserved squads make the playoffs. By taking 4/5 out of each conference, you may be leaving a squad that has better playoff credentials than another team in the less powerful conference. Not a big difference if we continue with 8/10 squads making the playoffs, but still.

Improving the league could mean anything from improving the fan experience to creating a more viable soccer product. Things you might see elsewhere around the world that might work here.

[Braveheart_NY]

More Teams, come on MLS 5 games a week ain't cutting it.

Let's Go MLS

[Treetaliano]

More Teams, come on MLS 5 games a week ain't cutting it.

Let's Go MLS

wow...a true visionary!

[Wizardscharter]

The correction of the previous error would be a good start.

0 points for a 0-0 tie...I think this would encourage teams to go forward more.Yes, this will indeed solve the overwhelming problem of no MLS teams ever going forward at all. Definitly the lack of overtime has pressed more offenses into an all-out siege on the opposition net in the last :20 this season. Games are now so disproportionately exciting where compared to seasons past. Stats bear this out as there have only been two scoreless draws this season where last season there were many. Many is more than two.

Obviously the reason for this is now forwards have a full understanding that there is no further opportunity for redemption beyond 90th minute stoppage time. After all, what reason did they have before? Thank the Good All-Mighty Lord that He blessed us all with His sacrifice on the cross and then had the good grace to bless us mere MLS observing mortals with the banishment of OT to the netherworld...Amen.

Ho-lee Crap! ...and because some dolt will invariably misunderstand the above ---> :rolleyes:


It's almost as if nobody has bothered to watch the end of any given non-dead-of-summer MLS game the last 3-4 years. At the end of any game if play was listless (most of the time it simply wasn't), the circumstances around the game dictated that 1 point was good enough for both. Those situations are not eliminated or even reduced by the elimination of OT. Those same situations will still exist. The elimnination of OT will only serve up more ties and further, the same amount of "listless" endings will exist in situations where 1 point is sufficient.

[Wizardscharter]

Not wanting to be one to just dismiss and not offer others the same opportunity...

*First to 5 returned and implimented in such a way as to not feature dismally attended mid-week games.

*Work a Hall of Fame specificly for MLS into one of the upcoming stadia. Anywhere but dc.

*Pre-season, early-season, or concurrent League Cup tournament. Maybe one even worked into/with the already existing "Barnstorming Tour".

*Continued enforcement of cardable offenses. Diving would be the main problem here. Regardless if you are a "soccer purist" (whatever that is) or just an attendee, nobody wants to see that crap, especially come gridiron season. Have some juevos, stay on your feet.

*Relax stringent home or road uniform combinations to inject needed color into broadcasted games. When appropriate, why not wear the first choice shirt with road shorts, etc.?

*Broadcast archive feed on Direct Kick for those games having no other coverage.

*More Brimstone Cup type awards for rivalrys.

I think it's more important to start these than to pan the idea because, "it seems forced". Forced, natural, or something inbetween; in x years nobody will care how it came into possession, just that it is in possession. Most have some experience fundraising for some cause. This experience and some creativly-engaged brain cells will get this done nicely. Heck, one less beer for x games per person per fan group would do it quickly as well for that matter.

[spejic]

For instance having one table you would likely ensure that the more deserved squads make the playoffs. By taking 4/5 out of each conference, you may be leaving a squad that has better playoff credentials than another team in the less powerful conference. Not a big difference if we continue with 8/10 squads making the playoffs, but still.You can do this without a single table, and in fact MLS had a playoff system like this in 2000 and 2001.Improving the league could mean anything from improving the fan experience to creating a more viable soccer product. Things you might see elsewhere around the world that might work here.We took out the Shootout and put in secret timekeeping, and attendance went down. Making MLS more like european soccer does nothing for improving fan experience or creating a viable soccer product. It does nothing to get fans of European soccer to like MLS.

[ninety_minutes]

You can do this without a single table, and in fact MLS had a playoff system like this in 2000 and 2001.We took out the Shootout and put in secret timekeeping, and attendance went down. Making MLS more like european soccer does nothing for improving fan experience or creating a viable soccer product. It does nothing to get fans of European soccer to like MLS.

So we should add timeouts, commercial breaks and power plays, maybe even a 70th minute "stretch"?

What are your suggestions - make it more of an "American" game so that we're even less prepared for competition at the international level?

[Agogwe]

So we should add timeouts, commercial breaks and power plays, maybe even a 70th minute "stretch"?

What are your suggestions - make it more of an "American" game so that we're even less prepared for competition at the international level?

I'd have to agree. I have no problem with the league structure, divisions are fine, but leave the play on the field to the laws of the game, not some created version.

[spejic]

So we should add timeouts, commercial breaks and power plays, maybe even a 70th minute "stretch"?

What are your suggestions - make it more of an "American" game so that we're even less prepared for competition at the international level?I have nothing against FIFA rules. Major Leage Soccer has always been fully complient with FIFA regulations. But people insist on all the silly trappings of european soccer (single table, relegation, uniforms, financial structure..) and there is no valid reason for implementing any of it.

[Agogwe]

I have nothing against FIFA rules. Major Leage Soccer has always been fully complient with FIFA regulations. But people insist on all the silly trappings of european soccer (single table, relegation, uniforms, financial structure..) and there is no valid reason for implementing any of it.

I guess we are in agreement then. MLS doesn't NEED those trappings, they're fun, but I don't know if they'll work here, maybe they will, maybe they won't.