MLS should be on a single table, but when I did a little internet trolling to look up what others felt I also found a bunch of threads that we need to be on a Winter schedule. So here's some dope: Africa, the Middle East and most of Europe play on the Aug. to May schedule that everyone seems to love. You know who doesn't? ALL of Central and South America except for Brazil. They play two 5 month tournaments and take July and December off. Brazil, the mecca of footie, plays on OUR F'ING Schedule. As does Russia, Japan, Korea, Australia, Scandinavia and all three Baltic countries. Hell, until 2003 Brazil had a 8 team playoff system to determine their national champion, albeit the top 8 teams from a single table. Playing a Summer schedule is not some weird idea, plenty of domestic leagues do it. It also keeps MLS from fighting for viewership with all the European Leagues, as well as the NFL, NHL and NBA. It also allows Canada to field teams, because the weather in Canada in winter makes Lambau seem like a Hawaii. This isn't Europe, we have the best schedule for where we are. We should be on a single table, but then again I think all sports should be. Cheers
MLS should be on two tables. 12 clubs in each table. Home/Away against in table, and 1 game against the other table = 34 games. Regular season most points in each table = Conference Champions, gets berth to CCL. Top 4 in each table go to MLS Cup playoffs.
Well, eastern Canadian cities are just as cold as northern/northeast US cities. Sorry, just had to point out the stereotype. 15 US states lie on or above Canada's most southern point. Almost all Canadian populated centres are close to the border. As for southwestern Canada(Vancouver, Victoria) it's mild through winter(little to no snow) and amateur soccer runs here on the same time as most European countries. Just saying. But I agree with your other points.
There will be MLS players in WC games. And I'm willing to trade some missing players in domestic games to have league run through the summer. Summer weather is just better in every MLS city except maybe Houston and Dallas. It's more fun going to games on summer weekends - more family and friends can go. And of course, as a sports fan, It really fills a void in the sports landscape with only steroid ball to compete against.
How many MLS players will be in WC next year ? or MLS is about to get many world stars for next season, cuz I do not see any reason for MLS to stop the league during WC with the crowed calendar, US OPEN CUP, SUPERLIGA, CCL, etc, that could be a good time for players that do not have a lot play time this is a development league anyway, maybe for Brazil 2014 WC will be a time conflict but next year will not, in previews World Cups MLS did not have any conflicts what is the differents in this one.
Good points. Also, there is the problem with beginning the season head to head with with the NFL and college football. As it is, MLS is winding down when football starts. Begin at the same time they do, and you've just shot yourself in the head. No TV, sparse crowds, and cold temps, not to mention lousy weather. Fall-spring is a recipe for disaster in the US and Canada, and the Eurosnobs, dweebs, and Trekkies just need to deal with it. And no, RevsFanDan, soccer was NOT in its heyday during the '20s, with the ASL playing in the winter; yeah, they got big crowds, but a 6-8 team league centered around the Northeast, in a constant battle with the USSF does not a heyday make. At that time, soccer was still in its infancy, and still a game for immigrants and East Coast prep school students. It was a great time for "pro" soccer, but soccer's real heyday began in the mid 1970s, when soccer spread out to the heartland, and kids from Boston to LA, Tampa to Seattle started picking up the game. You can thank the NASL, and their spring-fall schedule for that (no conflict with football).
MLS will finally take a break for the WC, they announced in September. http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/mls-gets-it-right-announces-world-cup-break/
It should also be kept in mind that even football isn't stupid enough to play outdoors in cold climates deep into January and February. Anyone remember the USFL, which started their season not long after the Super Bowl? I remember some games played in blizzards. It was enough of a joke watching football in those conditions; I can't even begin to imagine what soccer would be like. ------RM