I find it completely stupifying that MLS schedules games up against the USMNT

Ignore FIFA dates all you like MLS, but to trying to 'compete' for soccer fans with the United States national mens team is the most insane, self-trivializing decision that Major League Soccer ever makes.

Major League Soccer is supposed to be a development league for the USMNT, so why are they competing for fans with it? Which is exactly what MLS is doing by scheduling these games against the USMNT. MLS is implicitly forcing soccer fans in the US to choose between their club and their country, and given the relative lack of history behind MLS I think its only logical (and reasonable) that the majority of fans choose the USMNT over their MLS allegiances.

The mens senior team is supposed to be the pinnacle of soccer for Americans (or any country for that matter) and soccer fans attention is always focused on them whenever they have the chance.

Why does MLS insist on existing in isolation not only from the rest of FIFA, but evidently in isolation from its own federation.

Does MLS not stand to only gain by scheduling around USMNT games? USMNT games are the 'all-star' games that North American fans (apparently) demand in their sports leagues.

IMO both MLS and the USMNT could only benefit from avoiding scheduling conflicts. MLS should be pushing upcoming USMNT games. If the feeling at MLS head office is 'we dont want to overshadow our product by pushing the CONCACAF WCQ matches' well then I dont know what to say because if that is the case then MLS clearly hasnt yet grasped the concept of exploiting the global nature of the game. Theyre too wrapped up in their north american, single entity, franchise model to see the benefits of admitting there are more important games than MLS games.