While obviously ditching the shootout and letting the ref keep time on the field were significant improvements for MLS, I think the ten minute overtime for regular season games is one "MLS specific" rule that is actually quite good. In fact, I think other leagues should adopt it. I really like the feeling when watching a game in the final few minutes and realizing that the team down one goal can not only manage a draw, but can actually still win. This is especially true in situations where a team must win the game. Its pretty cool that a late euqalizer leaves the game in doubt, rather than simply being a dramitic and "OK--we'll take it" finish. Anyway, I'm not sure if this will generate any discussion, but I just wanted an excuse to avoid grading the 35 papers I have left tongiht.
what is the point of the third option? i realize it's a poll, but is it a contractual obligation to have it in all polls????
Keep the overtime, BUT would like to lengthen the overtime AND use a single table. Why on Earth do you want to bring back the crappy shootout?
i voted no OT... but i would change it for an extra 5 or 10 minutes on each side (10 or 20 minutes total)... 5 minutes is just too short
Keep the OT. 10 minutes is good. 20 would be better. 30 would be best. But I know all about the 2 hour TV window so I am happy the way it is.
Keep the overtime, I wouldn't support overtime if the season was 38 games long but at 28 I don't think its too much for players to go 100 minutes.
true enough, so i suppose that would really have to be something discussed if things were more favorable on the tv side as there are a lot of games on basic cable, espn2 is not the only channel... just the only basic cable channel for national games
What I meant by the thrid option was: "Don't stop at ditching overtime, let's ditch all non-European rules!" I think I like overtime at 10 minutes. 20 would be okay I guess, although I like 10 better. 30 should only be used in extreme situations (WC, major club competetiions, etc.).
There is nothing wrong with doing things differently than Europe. In fact I prefer it. I voted to bring back the SO, because it's the closest thing to what I would prefer. That being 90 minutes followed by OT as we have it now, then a SO that was ONLY for determining who recieved the third point. I liked the SO, I just hated the points resulting from the outcome. It was always silly to only award one point total. I should mention that the best scoring system would be the A-league's 4 points for a win and a bonus point for a 3 goal day. I think that would dovetail nicely with a 2-point SO win. I'm also sure I'm one of only about 3 people who think so. Pity.
Keep OT but lengthen it to two 10 minute halves. The 5 minute halves just dont work the players dont have any time to work anything before the match is over.
I say keep OT for the simple reason that, without it, MLS will come up with something much worse! Seriously, though, I don't mind it too much. Interestingly, I've noticed that many, many Europeans LIKE having games go down to penalty kicks. During the WC, many told me they were HOPING games would end in draws. So the American "need" (real or assumed) for an OT tie-breaker isn't so weird in their eyes, I would assume.
how in the world could 5 people want to bring back the shootout. I like the current format. With the two 5 minute overtimes there seems to be a good number of games decided in that time frame.
I like the time of overtime as well. I wouldn't be willing to risk the extra injuries to see 10 more minutes of E.T. Plus, the TiVo wouldn't pick it up anyway!
I don't mind to overtime, but 100 minutes of soccer is plenty, especially with the 4:00 games. It does add a little excitement, takes (at least slightly) away from the strategy of playing for a tie, and it's short enough that the game isn't decided by fatigue. Plus, it's something that makes the MLS a little different, but not too different. While Euro leagues end in a tie after 90, every soccer fan in the world has seen "golden goal" games (as opposed to the shootout, which was different, but just plain stupid). I also don't mind a few pk games in the Cup. It's high drama, especially after a well-played game. What I don't like is teams that play for pks, especially from the opening minute.