Grade Year 10.

[KingLouie]

I'd give it a C or C-. The quality is still not there, come on people stop fooling yourselves, these matches are nothing to compare with what you see in other leagues. Until every team has their own soccer-specific stadium of about 25,000 seats and more quality players come over prior to the end of their careers, this league will not make it a big 5 in our country, it'll stay the big 4 for some time (mlb, nfl, nba & nhl...barely).
I'd absolutely love to have a league here in the USA that rivals European clubs in signing talented players, but for now the wages are too low to attract anybody of real quality...just cast-offs.

just my opinion...but, you know what, the truth hurts!

JP77....Nobody is fooling themselves. The thread pertains to a grade of the league on its 10th yr of existence. The grading is of the league as its own entity not a comparison to other local sports or other soccer leagues.
How could u compare the tradition and time of existence of the EPL, Spain's La Liga or any other Eurpoean league that has existed for nearly a century with MLS decade.

[SpeedyOne]

JP77....Nobody is fooling themselves. The thread pertains to a grade of the league on its 10th yr of existence. The grading is of the league as its own entity not a comparison to other local sports or other soccer leagues.
How could u compare the tradition and time of existence of the EPL, Spain's La Liga or any other Eurpoean league that has existed for nearly a century with MLS decade.


Those leagues are the measuring stick though. If we are grading purely on the quality of the league, then comparisons must be drawn between existing leagues and MLS. Otherwise the grading would be meaningless.

[lfcli30]

C Until the Metros getg a freaking stadium :mad:

[Peruco83]

I give it a C+, the game really needs to pick up speed. A bit clumsy at times but much better from the first season. I love reading about how the league is expanding and teams are trying to get their own SSS but the fans really need to show up to the games, we can't say players need to be paid more when the attendance revenue isn't there, is also just so much more fun to watch when you hear team songs in the background. I'll give it a B- if it wasn't for those stupid horns that just makes the game look even slower, but I think if more ppl showed up, you could over-shadow those annoying things. Just imagine the game with a full crowd singing the local team song, I dont think it would look that slow as compared to listening to those horns. I want to see how DC United measures up in the upcoming Copa Sudamericana, thats another way of seeing how the teams have come along.

[Saltenya94]

Ray Hudson has totally lost his mind..... Have you seen that American Soccer show on Gol TV? He can't even talk anymore.
Hunh? He's the best person they have in that show. best show Gol TV has after FIFA Futbol Mundial of course. Which says a lot for American Soccer. The other 2 try hard, and are ok. But Hudson is Hudson. Mr. quote machine is rarely a let down.

GRADES: YOU GOT IT!

B-/C+

The bad: Chivas USA. Metro stadium. Worrisome numbers in Colombus. Uncertain numbers in S.J. + KC. Overall low att. this year esp. from the start.
That moving-cam ESPN/ABC had, that fell like bird dung from the sky at the very first ever LAG -Chivas USA classico. Which was unceremoniosly delayed by the high-rated NFL draft.

THE GOOD: EJ + Ruiz machine in FCD. The "Young Americans" machine in New England. DC United, strong numbers at home. Even with below .500 record. Galaxy, RSL, with strong numbers as well. New FCD uniforms, best move UP for MLS in ages. Good gawd those burn jerseys were awfully kindergarden. FCD stadium opening up in less than a month, according to interviews with the Hunt Group it will be a step where they will avoid some of the aesthethic mistakes from Crew Stadium. We'll see what the initial reports say when comparing both Hunt stadiums.

Bridgeville design appears to have a classic brick style oven look slash new age soccer stadium. Dare I say it, Bridgeville might even be a nicer stadium than Carson Street. Expansion seems to be getting smarter, and this alone is good news for MLS' new way of thinking slash doing business. NO MORE, Metro playing infront of 12k in a huge 80k stadium for ESPN2. Instead, smaller markets with less summer competition = better attended stadiums on ESPN2.

RSL smash success at the gate. RSL soccer fans saviness- who would have thought? DC United getting to play in Copa Sudamericana (despite) getting trounced 6-1 aggregate by Pumas UNAM in the Concacaf Champions Cup. FSC earning its name by covering more soccer than it did as FSW, especially the CCC. Thanks, I'm here all week.

[prk166]

Miami Fusion that same year were also good, so technically this is the first time the expansions have been really bad.

Which goes to show that the quality of play in the league has improved. YOu can't just pull together a squad of cast offs, have a decent eye for a couple good SI's and win the MLS Cup. Giving the MLS crap for RSL and Chivas stuggling would be like giving the Prem a poor rating cuz the newly promoted clubs struggle year after year.

[okcomputer]

C. Disappointing attendance across the board this year which I think is due to lack of players people want to see play in the league. Too many faceless teams. MLS I think recognizes this and is ready to send some coin this offseason. Younger players are getting better but there is a reason you dont see teenagers playing in most leagues and that is because they are still raw and inexperienced and I think this comes through with MLS product. I think the overall direction is good but I think its time they got some better talent in the league. Something needs to be done with the scheduling also. Players missing this many games is not fair to the fans of the league. They need to schedule around national team games. It really hurts the integrity of the league. Many positives off the field as new owners and new stadiums seem to be continuing in the right direction.

[QuakeAttack]

I would have liked to give them a B, but the more I though about it, I had to go with a C.

Good

US Player Development
HDC
Garber
SSS Plan (Dallas, Chicago, Columbus)
DC (4 MLC Cups)
Level of Play (Yes, it needs to get better.)
Average

Foreign Purchases
Playoff Format
Player Salary
Bad


No International Calendar
Marketing
San Jose, KC, Metros
CONACCAF Cup Competition
Ugly

Doug Logan
Shootout
Miami and Tampa Bay
Hispanic Pandering (I.e. We got to get a Mexican player in LA or SJ)

[mookhead]

I like all the above comments by everyone. I give the MLS a B grade. They should have thought a little harder before entering into markets in Florida, their sport teams hardly draw large crowds (i.e Marlins, Devil Rays, Heat, Panthers). I am sure there are exceptions their. I never thought of K.C. as a hotbed for soccer. If they wanted a team in the same area of the mid-west, I think St. Louis would have been a better choice. Their is a large youth soccer presence and they really get behind their sport teams. I even herd the St Louis U soccer team draws larges crowds. One more thing the MLS needs to improve on is their marketing. One more small thing, I would like a little bit more diversity when it comes to the Team Kits. 9 out 12 with Adidas is a little to high.

[B1]

One more small thing, I would like a little bit more diversity when it comes to the Team Kits. 9 out 12 with Adidas is a little to high.

Man, you're going to hate it next year then when the Adidas deal kicks in and all 12 teams are done by them.

[Jasonisimo]

One more small thing, I would like a little bit more diversity when it comes to the Team Kits. 9 out 12 with Adidas is a little to high.I think they are all going to be adidas next season, so look forward to less diversity. Adidas signed a contract with the league.

[USA_2014]

year 10 gets an A

MLS has a solid business plan, is well-managed, and the league continues to improve in every single category. Not a week goes by you don't read some positive news about the league. Truly amazing!

Not to sound "corny" but the league represents itself so well, I'm proud of the way they do things. Proud!

Alexi Lalas has gone insane, though. He used to be normal. I have a theory: alien abduction. The person we all knew of as Alexi Lalas has been abducted by aliens and replaced by an insane space creature which has morphed itself to appear to look like Lalas and whose purpose is TO CONQUER THE EARTH. Run!

[jbeall]

Well, I teach undergrad courses at Rutgers, and we're supposed to grade as follows:
C = average
B = good
A = exceptional

So I gave MLS Year 10 a B. They're still around, they seem to be expanding into the right markets, the growing pool of players has given us more talent/depth on the national team, and soccer is growing over here. A sign of higher interest is the fact that huge European teams are coming over here for exhibitions. Did they do this ten years ago? (I woulda been too young to remember, so don't flame me if they did.)

I wouldn't give it an A, but the suits have a plan for growing MLS and are sticking to it. Soccer isn't ready yet to challenge the big 3 (if ever), but it's finding its niche.

FC Dallas and Chicago are going to get SWEET new facilities. Columbus and LA have SSS. Colorado will follow thereafter. Realizing that having SSS are important to the league's success, MLS teams are trying to get out of NFL stadia and into SSS, and several teams have a chance in the near future to do so.

Progress is incremental, but I think MLS is doing a good job, and a good showing at next year's WC could boost grades into the A range.

[bobarino]

C or average, but definitely getting better. Looking forward to the next 10!

[mookhead]

Man, you're going to hate it next year then when the Adidas deal kicks in and all 12 teams are done by them.

I think they are all going to be adidas next season, so look forward to less diversity. Adidas signed a contract with the league.

I must have missed that article..does anyone have any links or info on the adidas deal next year? I hope the Fire still keep their 3rd jersey(chicago flag) next year.

[BahamaTom]

B - love the game, and while I am overjoyed not to have to listen to Rob Stone on broadcasts recently, I still would like someone far more entertaining calling the matches, i.e. Ray Hudson, he's incredible.

since most the MLS I see is via espn2, I believe MLS should make a concerted effort to show good matches.

Totally agree with you as does every single person I know who follows MLS wheter they have a team or not,its such an overwhelming consensus that the commentary,especially on ESPN, ,is beyond poor or
un-entertaining,its makes you un-interested and actually puts you off even bothering to tune in for the next match.This would seem to me to be a huge huge concern to a league desperate to build its following and attract new fans and with this bunch its actually driving people away and doing nothing to attract and hook the legions of soccer-interested fans and players etc in this country.On my travells I visit an MLS match at every oppertunity I can and the fans I talk to always moan about the crap commentators we have and how the league and its players suffer because of it.
I`m not going to personally attack some of the "usual suspects" responsible or recount the past blunders associated with the piss-poor television production as we are all too familiar with them all but I`ll say this;there is one person who is capable of not just improving MLS TV commentary for the masses of fans,casual viewers,young players,Sunday morning pub-team players,the pros themselves and their wives,daughters,girlfreinds and their pets!!!!!...One guy who has been there done that,good and bad,player,coach and proven TV personality...One guy who would not just be an "improvement" but who would REVOLUTIONIZE soccer commentary as we know it!!!....and who would be like a hot-air baloon for MLS and ESPN.
This weeks Soccer America has a nice article on the man.I`ve been a fan of his for many years,because of his wya with words,passion and personality,his knowlege and incredible humor.Hey,I know we all have our favorites and we all know these people always do their best,and some do a very decent job and are tolerable so the reality that TV commentary hasn`t been anything like what it should or could be, has been part of the learning process of MLS 10years ...lets just say forgive and forget....but 10 years later and things need to effing GET BETTER `cos I`ve put my foot thru too many tv sets during that time listening to some the clowns on ESPN and MLS Package,yeah? :mad:
The league is better,our players are better,the stadiums are better,the future looks better,hell,even the refs are better("Honey,get me another beer will ya?")....We need a good few more quality foreigners spread thruout though I feel.....but for crisesake do somethink about Hudson and spread him around like the soccer-fertilizer he is!....I mean that in a good way of course Ray!...I was gonna call him horse-manure cos thats the best fertilizer of all and hes been a horses-ass sometimes but you cant stop lovin` the guy !!! :rolleyes:

[Pangloss]

I gave it a B. Pleased with the progress. Expansion was mentioned, how about these facts...

Charlotte Bobcats of the NBA averaged 14,445 a game in their inaugural year. I'd say the MLS teams are doing just fine.

The Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL averaged 10,400 in the first year of 1993.

Overall, average hockey attendence is at about 17,000, not much more than MLS. The majority of hockey clubs are losing money.

It's a matter of time before MLS over takes Hockey.

Explain to me how a game played largely on weekday nights, with 40 regular season home matches is going to be "taken over" by a sport played mostly on the weekend with something like 18 regular season home matches. It's like saying the NFL is going to "take over" the NBA. They exist in different parts of the sports universe. Hockey is a niche sport like soccer is and more and more like basketball is. MLS needs to carve out its own niche among the soccer fans that already exist in this country, which it has failed miserably in doing.

[Sempuukyaku]

I think some of you are not posting per the thread topic. This is supposed to be an evaluation of YEAR 10 of the league, not all the years combined up to this point or "where soccer is in this country", or blah blah blah.


As far as this year has been concerned so far I'd give it a B+


The Bad

-Metro stadium situation not resolved

-San Jose possibly moving (although business wise I don't think it's a bad decision....flame away if you want)

-San Antonio falling through (not in the league's interest anyway)

-Columbus Crew poor attendance



The Good

-D.C. United sold

-Kansas City being close to sold

-Milwaukee emerging as an expansion candidate with an SSS plan/new investor

-Toronto still strong as an expansion candidate with and SSS plan/new investor

-Alexi Lalas taking over in NY

-NE's awesome attendance numbers

-FCD stadium being built AND getting a name sponsor as well

-Real Madrid, AC Milan, AND Chelsea games against MLS clubs

-D.C. United being invited to Copa Sudamericana

-RSL's awesome attendance numbers

-Galaxy/Chivas USA PAID television deal

-Houston emerging as a new MLS market with a huge investor (Televisa), and an awesome tv package as well.


If these things can happen by the end of the year:

-Metrostars stadium announced and shovels in the dirt
-Kansas City sold with stadium plan
-Toronto SSS discussions complete with shovels in the dirt
-Rapids stadium plan complete with shovels in the dirt
-D.C. United with a solid stadium plan and construction date
-Milwaukee with a solid stadium plan and construction date

Year 10 gets an A.


We can talk all we want until we're blue in the face about "QUALITY OF PLAY! QUALITY OF PLAY!". But in order for the quality of play to increase, the business of the league must be solid and in place. And in terms of how the business is being run so far it's doing VERY well indeed.

[bigredfutbol]

I think some of you are not posting per the thread topic. This is supposed to be an evaluation of YEAR 10 of the league, not all the years combined up to this point or "where soccer is in this country", or blah blah blah.


As far as this year has been concerned so far I'd give it a B+


The Bad

-Metro stadium situation not resolved

-San Jose possibly moving (although business wise I don't think it's a bad decision....flame away if you want)

-San Antonio falling through (not in the league's interest anyway)

-Columbus Crew poor attendance



The Good

-D.C. United sold

-Kansas City being close to sold

-Milwaukee emerging as an expansion candidate with an SSS plan/new investor

-Toronto still strong as an expansion candidate with and SSS plan/new investor

-Alexi Lalas taking over in NY

-NE's awesome attendance numbers

-FCD stadium being built AND getting a name sponsor as well

-Real Madrid, AC Milan, AND Chelsea games against MLS clubs

-D.C. United being invited to Copa Sudamericana

-RSL's awesome attendance numbers

-Galaxy/Chivas USA PAID television deal

-Houston emerging as a new MLS market with a huge investor (Televisa), and an awesome tv package as well.


If these things can happen by the end of the year:

-Metrostars stadium announced and shovels in the dirt
-Kansas City sold with stadium plan
-Toronto SSS discussions complete with shovels in the dirt
-Rapids stadium plan complete with shovels in the dirt
-D.C. United with a solid stadium plan and construction date
-Milwaukee with a solid stadium plan and construction date

Year 10 gets an A.


We can talk all we want until we're blue in the face about "QUALITY OF PLAY! QUALITY OF PLAY!". But in order for the quality of play to increase, the business of the league must be solid and in place. And in terms of how the business is being run so far it's doing VERY well indeed.

Quoted because I can't better your reasoning. However, I'd give the year so far an A- instead of a B+, because on top of everything else you mentioned, SCORING IS UP THIS YEAR. Yes, I think that matters--last weekend, the totals from six matches added up to 19 goals; slightly over 3.0 goals/game.

[kevbrunton]

I give it an A because overall I like the way things are going and I'm having fun with my team and the league. :)