Your argument does not make sense to me. In most American sports except for baseball, a significant percentage of the teams make the playoffs. As we saw with the Sounders last year, those teams that barely make it in have a puncher's chance of winning the title. By comparison in the EPl, there is little for most teams to play for. They can't compete against the top 5 teams financially for players, and therefore have almost no chance of getting into the top 4 over the course of a long season. IMO, an American style playoff system would be great for teams like Everton.
I was being a bit facetious with my post, but with the way European leagues are now as you illustrated above, aside from the massive exception that was Leicester, for those teams that aren't Real, Man, Chelsea, Barce, Munic, Juve, etc...not being relegated is, ipso facto, winning the championship. What would be great and I think the most fair would be to not have a playoff system, put a hard cap on the league, and play a balanced schedule. This way, it'll really even out the playing field and reward the real best team of the season. It'll reward the team with the best managerial minds and most consistent players. Pro/relegation would be more equitable too because it wouldn't just be about who has the most oil money backing.
I doubt that fans of the Stokes and other midtable teams feel that they have won anything. Your attributing this feeling to them is pretty much like the participation trophy you derided in your first post. While I agree this would be fair, I doubt it would due much to promote interest near the end of the season. Take Chelsea vs City, I think that they as a standalone pair they met your ideal conditions, yet there was a large point difference between them that made the league championship more or less a foregone conclusion. If there had not been Champions League to play for who would have cared about the EPL race after the middle of February. You may not like it, but I think playoffs bring a lot more excitement to the end of the season. Members of the Galaxy teams that won the MLS Cup but not the Shield (2014, 2012 and 2005) probably agree.
Vela has a major party streak and has been known to throw temper tantrums, so I whole heatedly encourage the Dos Santos bros to show their buddy all the nightlife and party scenes LA has to offer. Also mention all the great parties that happen Friday and Saturday nights.
With the recent signing of Gio, Jonathan, and Vela, i wonder if this will lead to more of an increase in the infamous chant around the league as the league moves in attracting more Mexican fans. I'm sure everyone has already noticed higher incidences of hearing this chant the past couple of years, i know i have.
Pablo is out in Colorado. As much grief as I’ve given Pete & Chris, I’m genuinely appreciative they acted when they did. Pablo needed to go after his first season.
Non-MLS news: So the new NASL OC team is going to be named California United FC. Inclusive but bland.
For real. The SF Deltas and the NASL San Diego team are probably not thrilled along with the other MLS and USL teams.
Texted with AJD and he and the family are well and safe. pic.twitter.com/HVsXJCqn0N— Chris Tucker ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (@ZeroCool138) August 26, 2017
Total shots: Atlanta 21, NER 0. (Not talking shots on goal, we're talking any shot whatsoever.) Ouch.
Think I saw that was the first time in MLS history.that a team didn't even get 1 shot. How does Jay Heaps survive?
There's no way - Galaxy has had games with no shots. At least that's my recollection, faulty as always.
According to the mlssoccer.com recap: Not only were New England demolished on the scoreboard and on the wrong end of two Video Review decisions, but they also became the first team in MLS history to finish a game without registering a single shot. We've had games with no shots on goal (and I don't think it was that long ago) but never w/o taking at least a couple wild blinders from somewhere.
The Revolution could easily solve the no shots problem by signing Pando. Everytime he had the ball at his feet, it was a opportunity to take a shot . Of course if they want shots on goal, they will need to look elsewhere.
I stand corrected, but it still boggles the mind. That the Galaxy never did it, that NO ONE ever did it in the history of this league? I realize I'm making a bogus argument from personal incredulity here.