I think we're lucky to have PLS that are based around the long- term financial viability of each team. Other countries and leagues aren't so lucky. I'm sure most of the bigger independent USL teams will survive, as well the reserve teams. If you look at the amount of money many teams are investing outside of the team itself its obvious that they're looking at a long- term investment. They should be able to weather a 3 month delay especially as they have October and November to add at the end of the season. Maybe they'll reduce the number of teams in the playoffs. NISA is a bit of a concern but surely they weren't planning to live on the meagre attendances most were getting and they must be saving costs on stadium rentals and player salaries. Most of the a UPSL, NPSL and USL L2 teams won't have started their sessions yet.
It looks like RSL are the first MLS team to "furlough" employees. I doubt that includes the players as they are employees of MLS. MLS and the players union can discuss it directly. Another benefit of the American pro soccer business model!
NISA is absolutely a concern, but I would chuck USL-1 in the same boat. CRW and Tormenta see about the same size crowds as NISA (though Michigan Stars will lower the bar permanently) gets lampooned about and they're in even riskier situations because they're building their own stadiums. You're right that the MLS reserves teams are fine, but Tucson is certainly in a less than ideal spot, and Omaha couldn't possibly have predicted a worse inaugural season. But the bottom of NISA is definitely in the biggest danger, I'd say.
I finished watching season 1 last week. It's too bad it didn't include more context as to what had happened prior to their relegation from the Premier League, i.e. the Di Canio nonsense appointment, the complete mishandling of the Adam Johnson situation etc. But really, few came out with any credit from that series, which was hardly a shock. And lol at those new owners. They are classic "wide boys" imo, Sacking Chris Coleman on the day they arrived was as predictable as it was bizarre. Really, Coleman and the also-fired Scottish CEO whose name I don't recall were the only ones who were competent imo.
I really liked that dude I truly believe that the merits of "our" system show in this situation. They requirements to even get a franchise have already ensured that the clubs are on a better footing to deal with this than MOST lower division clubs in other set ups (pro/rel, hybrid, or other make ups). I don't doubt there will be SOME attrition but that's going to happen everywhere. The longer it goes on, the bottom of any wealth pool in any business is going to get squeezed out. There'll likely be a handful here and there (all systems) that see owners just say "******** it" and move on. I do still feel our system is better position for the clubs survival in all of it though. The ownership requirements mean that the money is already built in for this type of thing and while match day monies are HUGE, they aren't the debilitating blow to USL clubs that they are to lower league clubs pretty much everywhere else. Agree 100% .... on both parts.
Here is an explanation of the Belgian system. The only team that doesn't end up in some sort of playoff is the team finishing 16th in the First Division at the end of the regular season. https://punditfeed.com/long-reads/belgian-jupiler-pro-league/
The virus has robbed us of the essence of the sport. How am I supposed to enjoy life if a crappy sports team isn't threatened with being moved down to a different league?
I've wished my whole life that my locale would get a team in a second rate national spring football league. No WFL team, No USFL team, no XFL team, no AAF team. Finally we get a team, I get season tickets, go all in with merch, watch every game, and were done halfway through the season. I get 2 games. I'm not sure if the lack of pro/rel had anything to do with the folding.
Yedlin supports Pro/Rel for MLS! https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...ion-would-make-league-more-competitive-yedlin Some coronavirus potential fallout: EPL - https://www.espn.com/soccer/english...s-fear-mid-september-start-as-chaos-continues La Liga - https://www.espn.com/soccer/spanish...ga-champions-barca-real-madrid-in-ucl-sources
This would a great year for Euro leagues to do playoffs. One and dones with the top 8 behind closed doors would be tv gold. The winners of the first round go to the ucl and then vie for the title. Lovers of the first round could playoff again for Europa league spots.
Seems to be a pipe dream according to this article. Just another bomb into the deniers camp who think sport is coming back soon: https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/10/sports-arent-coming-back-soon
Scottish rugby declares season "null and void" with no champion and no pro/rel: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk...otion-or-relegation-from-any-division-195348/ Scottish football does the reverse and awards championships and pro/rel based on current standings: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/sports/coronavirus-scottish-premier-giro-ditalia.html But it looks like the Scottish Premier League will expand - maybe for one season? - to avoid relegation based on those standings: https://www.irishnews.com/sport/foo...-moves-a-step-closer-after-spfl-vote-1903879/
Some good points on pro/rel in the USA in the Q&A summary with the President of the USL. https://theathletic.com/1754998/202...-our-live-qa-with-usl-president-jake-edwards/ Also, there's this: Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla confirms:- pro/rel in Mexico's top two divisions is suspended for the next five years- Second division to promote young Mexican players - Minors rule in Liga MX to disappear- Second division clubs to get guaranteed income for 5 years.— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) April 17, 2020 Then again, many will ignore this seeing as Mexico is not Europe.....
Pretty impressive list of current FC Dallas academy graduates: FC Dallas 2020 MLS roster Reggie Cannon Edwin Cerrillo Jesus Ferreira Jesse Gonzalez Eddie Munjoma Ricardo Pepi Paxton Pomykal Bryan Reynolds Thomas Roberts Dante Sealy Brandon Servania Tanner Tessmann Other Rosters Weston McKennie (Schalke 04) Chris Richards (Bayern Munich) Johan Gomez (Porto) Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids) Christian Cappis (Hobro) *Brecc Evans (Austin Bold) Jonathan Gomez (Louisville City) Diego Letayf (Tigres) *Arturo Rodriguez (Real Monarchs) Richard Sanchez (Sporting KC) Victor Ulloa (Inter Miami) Alex Zendejas (Guadalajara) *On loan from North Texas SC (Dallas reserves)
There ya go @feyenoordsoccerfan , Bundesliga players are back in light training and a decision will be made about restarting the season on Thursday.
German virus expert: I don't think football will be able to return until 2021 https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/03/20/5e74a3aaca4741af538b45ed.html
The green light has been given for the @Bundesliga_EN to restart May 9- behind closed Doors. The health department needs to agree and the league has to present them their plan but as of now things are looking up and up for May 9th return of German ⚽️.— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) April 20, 2020
https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltu...berfestnews/2020/absage-oktoberfest-2020.html Absage: Das Oktoberfest 2020 in München fällt aus The famous Oktoberfest is cancelled.
Ligue Un clubs PSG, Lyon and Nice looking into switching to the MLS calendar, starting in February 2021. This would work as there are no competing summer sports in France but it would mess up preparedness for the knockout stages of the Euro thingies.