It helps MLS indirectly in that it helps SUM, whose primary investor is none other than Philip Anschutz. With more incoming money, Anschutz can help out MLS in more ways.       This is a fact that must be absolutely killing the MLS-haters among the WUSA fanbase (which don't consist of all WUSA fans, I'm sure)! -G
No effect whatsoever, whether they win or lose. Might actually get rid of the 'Soccer is a girl's sport' thing if they lost, though. If they do win I wonder what the odds are on an MLS-allied WUSA II rising from the ashes? Talk about a bitter pill for the PTH's...
Something If they win the cup it will make soccer more popular in the US temporarily. But, the question is, will it make soccer more popular or womens soccer more popular?
As long as Uncle Phil remains uninterested in investing in a Women's League (which I'm not sure he is, perhaps he just didn't want to invest in WUSA), I find it unlikely WMLS would happen, talk about an albatross at a time when MLS is just starting to turn the corner, largey on the back of AEG.
Until MLS is making money right and left I wouldn't want to start a WMLS. The MLS would end up having to support the WMLS. Unless WMLS is separate form MLS and just rents out SSS I don't see how it can help us.
I don't think the women want a WMLS either. I think they've always wanted to go it alone, which I respect. Otherwise, you're talking about the WNBA. Except that the players are a lot easier on the eyes.
Easier on WHOSE eyes? There are plenty of women in the WNBA who are lookers. Again, this WWC is an "event" just like '99. You'll have the subplot about WUSA throughout the tourney but where will all those "fans" be for MLS games?!
Bump. So, given the result of the the US Germany game, (I'm sure you have all seen/ heard about the result by now), does the MLS benifit as much as they would have if the US had made it to the final? I, for one, don't even think the final will sale-out...
I relly don't think that the Womans World Cup helps MLS at all. Let's face it, most American sports fans don't like soccer. Their argument is usually, "It's a womans sport." I think that just helps the ignorant with that argument.
This is an ignorant statement in itself. It is a women's sport in America because the women's team has been so successful. If that hurts MLS, fine, I can live with that. I'm not crazy about MLS-haters and WUSA fans who don't really understand the sport and its realities at all, but I watch the Women's World Cup and follow the Women's National Team and so should every self-respecting American soccer fan. If you don't, I can respect that, but if we have to sacrifice some clout to maintain the women's game, I'm all for it.
Maybe with WOOSA gone, the failure of the US at the WWC, and MLS getting closer and closer to profitabilty each day, the "soccer is a girl sport" attitude will start to diappear over time...