Seeing that Real is putting 27 million pounds for Ballack and Robben (obviously to counter Henry going to Barca). It seems that the MLS clubs could never pay that much for players even in years to come. The only way is if we get 'NFL' type dollars...
Overpaying for overhyped players? Sounds like Real is in panic mode. Hope MLS never becomes like that.
I don’t think anyone would expect to get top talent in the next few years regardless. Doesn’t mean it will never happen. The real question is why would you want to pay that kind of money for them? doesn’t real Madrid actually lose money every year? Hell Chelsea has lost 300 million over the last two years, all you have to do is find an owner who has mass amounts of money to spend and doesn’t care about losing money.
why so many MLS fans are so frustrated with the idea that MLS might not ever be at the same level with EPL, La Liga, Seria A??? WHO CARES!!?? so what if they have robben and robinjo?!?! that doesnt mean that they will win anything. I am a fan of Partizan Belgrade from corupted Serbian league, 3 years ago that same partizan played in CL 0:0 and lost 1:0 to that same real with becam, figo, ronaldo, carlos, zidan, raul and other overpaid celebrities! the team with budget of 4-5 m fought great battle with team that cost 300 m! don't belive the hype! MLS does not need those players, MLS needs good improving teams!
In short, it's a national thing. We as Americans like to believe that we have the best of, well, everything. It's where our stereotype of being arrogant comes from. We think we have the best country, best beaches, best mountains, best economy, best military, best jobs...so we should have the best soccer league too. While not EVERY American thinks this, it is a part of our national identity.
MLS do not need to worry about bringing in top players with big bucks. What they need to do, and I do think its something that needs improvements is finding the unknown players before someone else does. All over the Americas, and Carribbean invest more money into this, and we will have much better league, and when these top unknown stars come out from the MLS the more top players will come to want to play in the MLS. That's a long wait for this to happen, first MLS must have 20 teams, and each team must have its own Soccer Stadium, it can't be specific if its being used for other things right. After having about 20 teams increase the Cap to about 10 to 20 mil, and with this we can keep not only our top young stars from the NA region, we could also bring in top SA region players. Which gives the MLS top chances before Euro League gets a true look at them. That's why I would of wish MLS went for 20 teams by 2010, and it is possible aren't there many suitors wanting to join MLS well let it happen. We do by 2008 will have 14 teams, and adding another 6 teams should not be hard to bring in start now, and we can see a good future in MLS. After 5 or more years we can have a second league. Plus you can kind of help add more jobs
Single table is for small countries with maybe two major cities and the size of California. The US has many major cities and keeping at least two tables will allow the league to be larger than those European leagues and more entertaining. One day it might be two leagues under the same organization West and East with multiple tables and the West totally dominating. Rather than just one boring long ass table with a league that the champion is determined by who gets the most points. That is not entertaining enough for the US.
while I agree that US and Canada are large countries with lots of major cities. I can't agree that MLS is large developed league at this moment. until number of teams reaches 18, there should be single table. when it comes to 18, conferences should be considered. I know that play offs are interesting and bring excitement but it also downplayes importance of regular season game. I would propose separating MLS championship from North american Cup. MLS championship should be played like every other world league for title of the league champion. North american cup should be played after MLS championship ends and should include all 14 (currently) MLS teams going against top 14 USL teams, first round single elimination game, after that 2 games round with aggregat goal rules. untill there is only one - NA cup holder. That way we would have both exciting regular season where every single game counts and playoffs with participation from all levels of profesional soccer. there would be also posibility for "super cup" game between MLS champ and NA cup champ as a grand finale at the beging of each new season. there, this is my pipe dream
Vang0gh, don't confuse the attitudes of some BigSoccer posters with that of the majority of MLS fans. There are a few "vocal" posters who lament that MLS is not getting the Adrianos of the world (who would undoubtedly fill up 80,000 satdiums), but the silent majority knows better.
Yeah, I'm actually happy with the imports we have now....Schelotto, Blanco, O'Brien and Angel. But man how do those clubs spend like that? I just wished the MLS stadiums were packed, but we'll get there. I mean it's pretty crazy when it's 3/4 full... You're right....never is a long time...maybe I should've used a different word!
Ummmm....last time I checked MLS didn't overpay Beckham, in fact they basicly stole him from the European clubs (he said he probably would have gone to Italy if it wasn't for the US). AIG footed most of the bill to pay for him and they will make a profit off that from marketing. For how much MLS and LAG are paying for Beckham, they got a great deal, especially how David performed after they signed him in La Liga.
Ahh it's hairynippleman, my arch nemesis! MLS got Becks on the cheap from Real and AIG is footing the majority of his 6.5 million dollar yearly salary. Though I'm sure you're still caught up and confused on the 250 million dollar number over 5 years like the average idiot.
Let's also keep in mind that Real Madrid is not the whole Spanish league, just as Chelsea is not the whole EPL. Do I want MLS to be able to pay players more and compete for the signatures of bigger names? Sure. But I personally value quality teams more than famous players. What's Sevilla's budget? They gave Real Madrid and Barcelona a pretty good scare even close to the end of the season. For all the talk of MLS losing money every year, Chelsea alone has lost more money in the last two years than our entire league has lost in eleven years. Clubs with rich owners that don't mind continually losing money to the tune of $150 million a year are going to have an advantage when it comes to buying up talent.