it might not be correct down to the second decimal but its basically accurate why dont you do a little research and verify it?
its not even speculative or controversial...its just reality. here ya go - this link took me 15 seconds to find https://www.americansocceranalysis....s-player-salaries-to-leagues-around-the-world
7 year old data. Honest question…do you think you’re being clever here? Do you think you’re tricking us? I don’t understand the way your brain works.
See, that was easy! Now find numbers that aren't 7 years old, because a lot has changed in that time for MLS. ETA: I see that @gogorath and @superdave have collectively covered what I said.
Last season MLS featured 30 players under the age of 18. Serie A this season has featured 6. The Championship this season has also featured 6. If you want MLS to be a youth league we already have one, Next Pro.
As for those foreign mid-tier players AT wants to replace, they bring a lot of experience to the league and young American players can learn from them. Remember when Liam Ridgewell joined the Timbers? Not the most talented import but Portland suddenly became hard to beat. When James Sands came back from Scotland he was just a tougher player. He has no problem leaving the boot in and knows how to put opponents off their rhythm. It's the sort of thing you probably don't learn growing up in Rye NY. I think it helps YAs to play alongside, and compete for playing time with, players from different backgrounds. The experience rubs off.
Eh I do not think any American player needs to go abroad to learn physicality. That has never been a weakness for the US.
Indeed, this is all true and I've watched it happen over time. Also, ~10 years ago those foreign mid-tier (and often now prime-age) players weren't signed so readily as they are today.
There are 30 MLS clubs. That means roughly 900 MLS players, and the level of the league keeps rising. How many American/Canadian players are of the required level? How many can each club produce thru their academies each year? Of course MLS clubs are going to needed foreign players. Of course they are. Just like they are in every European league. There's no trophy given out at the end of the year for the MLS club that's used the most Americans or used the most homegrown academy players. A trophy is given out for having the best regular season record, winning MLS Cup, etc. within the rules of the league. That doesn't mean producing players internally can't help you reach that goal. its just part of the equation when it comes to player acquisition. Good teams use all avenues. And yes, each club has a different mission statement and business plan in trying to reach the ultimate goal. Inter Miami is trying win in a different way than Philadelphia. So be it.
MLS needs to introduce the Sell to Europe Cup and the Play Young Americans Shield. Forget about wins, points, playoffs, etc.
I don't 100% agree. Different players have different personalities and I do think the comfortable environment of being a homegrown can develop players along certain paths. I.e., if a player is not particularly physical they will not suddenly learn it in the managed developmental environment of the first team transition. I don't think it's an MLS thing. For example, Justin Haak was always a physical player, often to the detriment of everything else. He would not get more physical moving to a different league. As he moves, though, he is no longer a managed asset but a player than needs to contribute in the moment and thus his weaknesses will get emphasized. I'm probably not explaining it too well but young players grow up before they grow out; developing their signature skills before rounding the rest of their game into place. The former breaks you into the first team, the latter keeps you there.
In England clubs get $$$ for playing young English players: At least they did the last time I played Championship Manager.
you go find the data....im not your assistant i know thinking is hard for you but im not going to hold your hand but i will give you a hint (because I know how much you struggle): MLS revenue has grown significantly more than salary spending since 2017.
What's your point? They're still losing money, Miami excepted and a dozen new stadiums have opened, mostly privately financed. Since 2017 revenue up 228%, salaries up 260%
Dude, I can't believe that I need to say, again, that YOU are the one making the argument. It's not for me to research your side of the debate. Data on MLS that's 7 years old does not create an understanding of where it is today.
Where'd you find those numbers? Please provide links. 467% of the time that's helpful for verification.
If you are a USMNT only stan and want MLS to pay better or equal to T5 leagues then you really don't know what you are getting yourself into. If MLS paid like say, Serie A, without all these TAM, GAM and other designations and restrictions then, yes, that would mean better quality players will join MLS. Not precisely the top players in the world but just better players than what we have now. And no, MLS teams won't start spending Saudi League money just because they don't have restrictions anymore but they'll certainly have more freedom to spend on better foreigners. They would also be able to pay domestic talent better which means players like Adams, Pepi, Aaronson etc won't leave MLS that easily. Unless of course they want to play in "Europe" even if it's for less money. If it's for more money that they are leaving then there is no explanation needed. Domestic players from abroad would also just find it financially more beneficial to come back if MLS did in fact paid more. In other words, MLS would become just like Liga MX where domestic players are a hot commodity, expensive and paid really well. Only those that leave are because they really want to try out Europe even if for less. Or is going because the buying club outbid other Liga MX clubs on that player. And Liga MX has a very strong overinflated domestic market which is hard for many non-top 5 Euro leagues to compete against. If you are a USMNT only stan your best bet is for MLS to keep the salary cap and to keep on increasing it at a "slow but steady pace" for another 20-30 years. But even at this pace it will eventually surpass at least 2 out of the top 5 European leagues in median salaries. It's just bound to happen at one point. But at least it'll be slower than done over night. USMNT only stans can't make up their minds on what they want.
I Googled MLS 2017 revenue, which linked to a Forbes article. 2025 revenue List of professional sports leagues by revenue - Wikipedia https://share.google/weJxHMImQBNn728C2 Payrolls MLS Payrolls | Capology: Football Salaries & Finances https://share.google/jAZHZ0JPyubdnNLHh
In the 5 leagues is that you can run up big losses then turn them around by qualifying for Europe or selling a couple of players. Worst comes to the worst you file for bankruptcy protection, like Crystal Palace before their current run in the PL, or sell to a private equity firm like Milan. Last year's biggest pre-tax losses Chelsea: $473.10m Lyon: $227.89m Spurs: $171.92m Marseille: $122.61m Aston Villa: $113.28m Nottingham Forest: $109.28m Manchester City: $109.28m Strasbourg: $94.62m Ajax: $59.97m Juventus: $58.64m https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c2lrxyw4p02o Qualifying for CCC or selling a Quinn Sullivan won't redeem such financial ineptitude.