MLS 1.0 vs 2.0 vs 3.0 Definitions

Discussion in 'MLS: General' started by GaSouthern, May 5, 2014.

  1. GaSouthern

    GaSouthern Member

    Nov 19, 2013
    Club:
    Atlanta
    I keep hearing this being mentioned when in reference to stadium designs, team names, and expansion. Is there a clear cut explanation to each version of MLS and it's meaning as well as time frames of each period? Sorry for the "noob" question.
     
    edwardgr and henryo repped this.
  2. Steve0013

    Steve0013 Member

    Jul 20, 2012
    London, UK
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    MLS 1.0 was awesome, it was new, fresh, it was all about open attacking soccer, it was exciting, MLS 2.o was all about selling out typical American sports fans, it was all about money at the expense of all else, it was all about flooding foreign players into the league at the expense of American players, it was all about boring defensive soccer & a million draws, it was all about dumb wannabe sounding euro names & MLS 3.0 will be like MLS 2.0 except worse & more exaggerated.
     
  3. ceezmad

    ceezmad Member+

    Mar 4, 2010
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Red Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Seattle is the only "MLS 3.0" IMO.

    Unless 3.0 means teams with a bunch of DPs.


    But we here in Chicago may be stuck in MLS 2.0
     
  4. henryo

    henryo Member+

    Jun 26, 2007
    #4 henryo, May 5, 2014
    Last edited: May 5, 2014
    My Take:
    • MLS 1.0: 1996-2006 (from inception to pre-Becks)
    • MLS 2.0: 2007-2014 (Arrival of Becks & many DPs, league expands ~2 fold)
    • MLS 3.0: 2015-2030? (Super-rich NYCFC begins play, league stays at 24 teams)
    • MLS 4.0: 2031?-???? (Expansion beyond 24 teams??)
     
  5. Zxcv

    Zxcv Member+

    Feb 22, 2012
    I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but your timeline of MLS 3.0 is going to have more than 24 teams. MLS 4.0, by your definition, might just blow your mind.

    MLS versions are for the hardcore. For the mainstream, there is only BB (Before Beckham) and AB (After Beckham).
     
  6. edwardgr

    edwardgr Moderator
    Staff Member

    Mar 6, 2006
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #6 edwardgr, May 5, 2014
    Last edited: May 5, 2014
    I would disagree slightly with Zxcv's assertion that MLS versions are only for the hardcore. He may be right that only follower's of MLS can discern the difference, but every sports league in American history (at least those that existed for more than a few years) has gone through distinct phases. In the past these were commonly referred to as eras, however, being in the 'technology' age we feel the need to label by version number. It is really just the same thing that other leagues have gone through. The various versions are of course somewhat subjective and a matter of a opinion, but there are many things that most everyone agrees on. With that being said here is my take.

    As has been said, MLS 1.0 is really the foundation of the league through the San Jose move to Houston, and TFC Expansion announcement. This was a league that suffered through early missteps, was on life support at least once, and looked bound to fail. Local relevance was minute, national relevance all but unthinkable. The league had a few stars so there was some recognition. But to give some perspective, when RSL first started play they had a friendly here against the USL Sounders. I ran into a half dozen RSL players in full uniforms at South Center mall in Tukwila, nobody there seemed to know or care who they were.

    MLS 2.0 begins really in my mind with the signing of Beckham and TFC's out of nowhere launch. The trend was really continued by all expansion teams through 2012 (so including Montreal). The building blocks of the 2.0 version of MLS is relevance in local and national relevance, introduction of Jersey sponsorships, expansion of the DP rules, clarification of the HG rules, mandating the academy. For some perspective here, my wife was flying home from Europe a couple of years ago, her flights arrival coincided with that of the Colorado Rapids team flight into Sea-Tac. And though they were mostly in street clothes, it was easy to see that several people milling around baggage claim that evening knew who it was they were mingling with.

    The transition to MLS 3.0 and it came quickly to my mind is the following, true national footprint + wide coverage in Canada. Larger TV and sponsorship deals, and increased local and national relevance. Further codification of the Home Grown player rules, Academy, and Reserve teams. A more robust salary budget, accomplished via several mechanisms including good ol fashioned additional money. I am of course speculating on the TV and sponsorship deal, and the salary budget. These are of course extrapolated from the current trajectory of the league. NBC has been a phenomenal TV partner I think, and I will be sad to see them go. I hope that Fox does not half-ass it the way they did when MLS was on FoxSoccer.
     
    fuzzx, gunnerfan7, pichichi2010 and 6 others repped this.
  7. chungachanga

    chungachanga Member

    Dec 12, 2011
    It's a different league mentality, different business model.

    MLS 1.0: MLS tries to make soccer more American. Different rules, different game clock, corny team names and logos. Soccer moms and kids were a major target group; teams had family shows pregame. Teams play in big empty football stadiums. Few investors (most owners had multiple teams).

    MLS 2.0: MLS embraces soccer's international feel. Return to normal rules, many teams get rebranded. Focus on a young urban adult as the main target group. Focus on stadium atmosphere. Most teams build soccer specific stadiums, some teams still play in football stadiums but they try to make them more intimate by covering some sections. Expansion, expansion, expansion. Also selling teams, adding new investors, moving towards each team having different owners-operators.

    MLS 3.0: That's just something people will say when they want to say that most MLS 2.0 goals are achieved and we are now entering a new era. And maybe we are, but it's not clear what defines this 3.0 yet. Maybe we will see more Seattles, lots of teams will outgrow their current soccer specific stadiums at some point and will start looking for new stadium solutions? Maybe the league will become relevant on TV? Maybe the league will reach a certain number of teams and stop expanding? All of that is probably still far away. Right now we still have a few teams stuck in 1.0.

    Time frames are debatable. Again, some teams are still arguably stuck in MLS 1.0, so there are no clear time frames. If I had to, I would choose the 1996-2002 as MLS 1.0, 2002-now as MLS 2.0. 2002 is when two teams got contracted, arguably the low point and at the same time the turning point for MLS. But you could also use 1999 when MLS got rid of the dumb new rules and Columbus built the first SSS. Or 2005, when the league started to expand again. Or some other date between 1999 and now. It's not really about dates, it's about changing mentality and business model.
     
  8. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    I agree with @chungachanga

    We are solidly in MLS 2.0. A new expansion like Orlando City is virtually like Real Salt Lake ten years earlier with the exception that the stadium is already approved and has better terms.

    The only thing new going on is HGP and academies but at this moment it's more like a grand experiment rather then a full blown new version. TV money will be better but that is certainly something that was planned for back in 2002-2005.

    To declare MLS 3.0 we need to see something like a complete re-haul of the salary budget.
     
    chungachanga and henryo repped this.
  9. tbitm

    tbitm Member

    Sep 20, 2012
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    #9 tbitm, May 5, 2014
    Last edited: May 5, 2014
    I think we're kinda in a transitional stage right now. MLS 3.0 should be reserved for sides with world class stadiums and big name marquee players. I'd say NY and Seattle are there, SKC, TFC, LAG, and Vancouver close behind.

    And once Orlando land Kaka add them to the list, especially if the stadium is going to go straight to a 25k seater.
     
    henryo repped this.
  10. The Devil's Architect

    Feb 10, 2000
    The American Steppe
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You people are all dorks.
     
    pichichi2010, Rulas, Boloni86 and 2 others repped this.
  11. napper

    napper Member+

    Jan 14, 2014
    Fullerton
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is true.
     
  12. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    To save you lots of time...There is no clear cut explanation/description of these phrases. These are just phrases made up by fans and mean something different to each person.
    Just like when people say web 2.0 or some such nonsense when referring to websites. Made up phrase that has no real meaning in the actual web development realm.
     
    JasonMa repped this.
  13. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hey Mr. Warmth this is two things I have agreed with you on now ;)
     
  14. chungachanga

    chungachanga Member

    Dec 12, 2011
    #14 chungachanga, May 6, 2014
    Last edited: May 6, 2014
    I think it was Garber who first started talking about "MLS 2.0" in his interviews some years ago. He meant that MLS was out of the startup period. It's done with wild experiments, it has a better understanding of who its customers are (young urban adult) and what they want (traditional soccer and great intimate stadium experience).

    People will mention different details and define it in different words. But most of us mean essentially what Don meant.

    Some fans are creative and sure, some will come up with completely different definitions. But in principle it's a phrase coined by MLS, part of their vocabulary. It's good to have some clue of what they mean by it, otherwise some Garber interviews will sound a bit confusing.
     
    fuzzx and henryo repped this.
  15. 4four4

    4four4 Member+

    Nov 13, 2013
    Land of 10,000 Lakes
    I wonder is Garber will come up with tMLS 3.0?
     
  16. Bisquick_in_da_MGM

    Jul 26, 2013
    Club:
    Atlanta
    When the phrase "The MLS" is used all the time, then we have reached 3.0.
     
    MPNumber9 and joehooligan0303 repped this.
  17. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Has the league also used the phrase MLS 3.0?
    Also from the posts above it doesn't seem the other posters know this supposed definition.
     
  18. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Didn't Seattle invent MLS 3.0?
     
    4four4 repped this.
  19. chungachanga

    chungachanga Member

    Dec 12, 2011
    I think we were all mostly talking about different sides of the same thing here. I haven't disagreed with any explanation in this thread, except the very first response -- but that was sarcastic anyway (I think).

    In general, people don't think in definitions in real life. Ask people in the street what's a "democracy," and you'll get a bunch of different answers, people will mention some aspects of it. It doesn't mean that "democracy" is a meaningless word or there's no point in talking about it. We think in concepts, associations, we "get" what something means but putting it into a perfect definition isn't so easy. Just wait for a 3 year old to ask you what's a rocket or a tornado, it's not so easy even when it comes to simple things.
     
  20. edwardgr

    edwardgr Moderator
    Staff Member

    Mar 6, 2006
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes sort of, here and here. It was also used by dallas soccer blog and grantland, so yeah the media, even MLS media is throwing this term around. Does that mean everyone agrees on what specifically it is, nope, but then not everyone agreed on the delineation between MLS 1.0 and 2.0. This is why I said it is subjective, and a matter of opinion, something you seem to acknowledge while hinting at a personal belief that there is no '3.0' yet.

    The version number is the MLS equivalent of baseball's eras, some of which lasted longer than others. The use of the version number is really a byproduct of our tech driven society. Your categorization of Web 2.0 as not being real is also misguided. You are right it means squat to a web dev, but to upper level nontechnical management it is an easy way to sell it as newer, improved, better, it is marketing speak if not an actual 'tech' thing.
     
    jayd8888, pichichi2010 and chungachanga repped this.
  21. evangel

    evangel Member+

    Apr 12, 2007
    It's unfortunate, but true. In a similar example, I've always hated the use of "3G" and 4G" to describe wireless data speeds. It's completely meaningless for anyone who actually understands the technology, but for marketing, it works quite well.
     
  22. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Since you are going down a side path...I will to.
    3g and 4g absolutely do mean something technical. Phones have to be built to the specifications of either 3g, 4g, and/or 4g lte. A phone has to have specific hardware and software to support these. They have all sorts of technical specifications for each.

    They also have data speeds associated to them.

    3g > 200 kbits/s
    4g lte = 1 gbit/s

    You can read about it here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4g#IMT-2000_compliant_4G_standards
     
    henryo repped this.
  23. joehooligan0303

    joehooligan0303 Member+

    Dec 16, 2001
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I am a web developer and have been for 9 years (sorry to pull a Mr. Warmth and tout my experience :) ). Web 2.0 has no real meaning. It is defined differently by anyone who chooses to use such an uneducated phrase. As a developer it is understood anyone using that phrase has no idea what they are talking about. Another one is people referring to an entire site as a "web page" (that would be like calling a book a page).
    Just like the MLS phrases in question. They mean something different everyone who uses them. The OP asked if they had "clear cut" definitions. They do not. I never said people shouldn't use them or that the league doesn't use them, but they most definitely are not used to mean the exact same thing by everyone.

    This is one of the dumbest/nerdiest conversations I have ever been a part of on BS. I am ashamed that I got caught up in it :)
     
    pichichi2010 and deejay repped this.
  24. Bisquick_in_da_MGM

    Jul 26, 2013
    Club:
    Atlanta
    So, we all agree that The MLS is 3.0, right?
     
  25. henryo

    henryo Member+

    Jun 26, 2007
    On MLSsoccer.com:

    MLS 2.0:
    The Throw-In: Remember "MLS 2.0"? This is a crucial period for the next upgrade

    http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/07/25/throw-remember-mls-20-crucial-period-next-upgrade

    MLS 3.0:
    Jeff Bradley: Tony Meola on the path to MLS 3.0 and the youth team that "made soccer fun again"

    http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...h-mls-30-and-youth-team-made-soccer-fun-again
     
    SiberianThunderT repped this.

Share This Page