[USAsoccer]

MLS....has that thought occurred?

MLS has 10 teams. After 7 years, it only has 10 teams!

2 Staduims. After 7 years. No one else appears to be even close.

3 Owners. After 7 years, only 3 owners.

It would appear, that for every step forward, MLS only accomplished the feat of standing still.

On the positive side, the league has two staduims, a steady fan base, and potentially a better footing.

However, it just seems to me that this league will never ever get the TV money it will need while staying year after year after year in the same 10 markets. At some point, this league has to expand. At some point, this league has to attract new owners. At some point, this league has to consider whether or not there is a better way?

Looking at things in a light most favorable to MLS, the stagnant nature of the league could be just the tonic the A League needs in order to reach a stability of its own. Right now the A League is at 18 teams. I could imagine a strong 20 team A League in its own markets.

But wouldn't it be nice for MLS to be at 18 to 20 teams also. Look, I know that expansion for expansion sake is stupid. Simply take one look at the WNBA if you want to see a league that expanded too far to fast. If not there, look at the NASL...

However, there are sooooo many markets that are simply not being reached. An entire generation of fans is being lost in places such as Philadphia, Houston, Detriot, and St Louis where absolutely no professional soccer team exist. How frustrating will it be to see baseball go on strike, and not be in a position to take full advanage of there stupidity.

In Tampa, MLS is a non subject any more. It is probably the same in most non-MLS and A-League towns.

At some point, MLS must re-consider it's formula. This league is one heart-attack away from extinction. It just seems to me that after 7 years, the present system is inefficeint and ineffective at accomplishing the overall mission. That is one man's humble opinion. Flame away.

7 years is a long time to wait for expansion.
7 years is a long time to wait for SSS.
7 years is a long time to wait for new blood.

[Soccerdude redded]

Don.t rush the league,other wise you end up like NASL. I would be happy with 10 teams then with no teams.In a country like ours, where they hate soccer for no good reason,I am just happy and looking forward to soccer on Saturdays. Long live MLS.

[timmy409]

word

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by Soccerdude
Don.t rush the league,other wise you end up like NASL. I would be happy with 10 teams then with no teams.In a country like ours, where they hate soccer for no good reason,I am just happy and looking forward to soccer on Saturdays. Long live MLS.

Soccerdude and I agree on something.

Please watch out for locusts on your drive home.

[falcon6]

Slow and steady is the key here. If they can keep increasing their attendance every year, I like keeping it at 10 for a while. I do agree with you that there are several enticing markets where I think the league would do well(Seattle, Portland, Philly, Houston). But, I like that they aren't rushing things.

[Godot22]

Originally posted by SoFla Metro
Soccerdude and I agree on something.

Please watch out for locusts on your drive home.

Yeah, that,s really wierd.I don,t no what to think about that.

[Paul. A]

I know we have to be patient but we need to at least replace the teams we lost. It sucks losing my team, but I would be a bit happier if we get solid news on 2 new teams in other deserving cities.

[Pmoliu]

On a bright note, I have heard that this years losses are way down as a result of cutting the Florida teams.

At least they are trying to run an effective business.

Paul

[puttputtfc]

Considering most leagues are losing fans and MLS is showing small increases I am not worried.

[Brownswan]

Let MLS stay at 10 while the A-League expands into markets MLS can't or won't fill. If soccer's popularity can grow, then the USL structure is the best, least expensive way to serve that growth. Also, better players will filter into the lower leagues, since the 10 MLS sides can absorb a finite amount of talent -- more than now if the reserve sides kick in, but still too few to cope with emerging talent.

The USL seems to be attracting new stadiums built on realistic attendance projections, especially in the midwest and plains states.

If I live in Charleston and have the Battery in town, do I need or want an MLS team? Certainly not. If an area will ONLY support MLS, then I'd question whether that area is ready for pro soccer, period.