What do most of the MLS guys do during this LONG 4 or 5 month period in which MLS is shut down? Nowhere that I know of are players off that long. DO they play elsewhere? Why doesnt MLS join with teams (like sister teams) from other parts? For example Brazil. The Metrostars could hook up with say Flamengo, the Fire with Inter , the Rapids with Palmeiras and do a player exchange. Send some guys over there to get some experience where the worlds greatest soccer is played. Turn that partnership into tours once a year sometimes here sometimes there. What is there to loose? I think clubs everywhere arent trying hard enough or using there imagination for creative marketing.
Many clubs play some exhibitions after the end of the season in Europe (DC United plays in England soon), and many US players train with European sides for the winter.
The rev's trained pre-season in Brazil for a month. Then, went to Europe. According to then coach Fernando Clavijo, it was cheaper to take the entire team to Brazil for a month than 10 days in Portugal.
The other problem is that Brazilian players treat each other like they do the rainforest: Hacking left and right. I'd only send a player there if I wanted him to come back in a cast ...
Each team seems to go their own way in the offseason. Some go to Europe to scrimmage against reserve or full club sides while others go to Central & South America. Others loan a few players out to foreign clubs needing a boost (i.e. trying to avoid relegation or looking for the final piece of the promotion puzzle) or looking for inexpensive talent. I agree this system is a bit disorganized, but it could be taken as a sign that single-entity is increasingly becoming a concept in name only. Personally, I'd like to see the Fire hook up with a team from one of Chicago's "Sister Cities" (Charlton Athletic, for example.) every month up to the season opener. If nothing else, it would keep everyone in playing shape and cut down on the more annoying injuries that have decimated the club this past year. It might also give the GM a chance to scout some talent ahead of everyone else.