Does Burn has a full time or even part time scout? Being a global game I would think that would be a must, specially for a new league that is short in cash. It has worked well for baseball.
<laughing uncontrollably> A full-time scout? <chuckle, hehehe> or even part-time? <tears of laughter now streaming down face> I like you newbie! <ahem, trying to look serious> Wellllll, not exactly. We call that guy 'coach'. MLS operates on a shoe-string budget, scouting is not yet a salaried position within the team structure. The work is still done, albeit as just one task of many already being shouldered by the coaching staff.
I am just not sure if having a scout is as impossible as you make it sound. Maybe they can find locals to reduce travel cost. Maybe they can find scouts from other sports that know soccer to combine a trip and again reduce travel expenses. Maybe at first open it as a volunteer position with commission only or bonuses.
I suspect MLS clubs rely heavily on the collective contacts of the coaching staff and front office. For example, Clarke calling up an old manager in Northern Ireland and asking if he knew of any player who might be a good fit at the MLS level of play.
I don't see why it's a big deal, I mean hell the Chicago Fire has a reserve team in the PSL, why can't we have a scout? Lord then again this is coming from a league that only gives their players 2 Jersey's for free, can't wait until the league grows.
I know times has changed but comapre to other leagues, MLS has done pretty good in this short amount of time. Remember even NFL struggled for years before two leagues joined.