After the whole Copa America invitation controversy, it needs to be said again: Since a summer-spring schedule does not seem feasible for various reasons, a short summer break in the MLS schedule is a definite must. MLS needs to create a summer break for the World Cup, the Gold Cup, and other tournaments involving the senior national team. An earlier start in March (with heavy scheduling in south) would easily solve the currently unacceptable situation. Playing during the World Cup is simply disrespectful - period.
Starting in March would also shorten the eternal offseason and prepare the teams better for the Champions Cup.
I would understand a World Cup layoff, but I would hate it every year. I think the EPL tried it this year and it didn't make much sense. MLS isn't the only league to have to deal with players missing matches for national tournaments. Teams all around the world have to deal with national team call-ups.
Maybe not every year, but definitely when there is a major tournament scheduled for the summer. No, MLS isn't the only league that has to deal with player call-ups - but just about the only league that plays through every single major tournament. That has to stop... PS: Not sure what you mean with the EPL example, but I can assure you that the EPL doesn't play through the World or Euro Cup.
I don't know if MLS should stop playing during the WC. A league suffering from a lack of interest in the public probably cannot afford to take a month off. Might be better to play when people are thinking about soccer. Speaking of Copa America, wouldn't it be sweet if all CONCACAF and CONMEBOL countries competed in qualifying and it could be the championship of the whole western hemisphere? It would be like the European Championships.
We discussed that argument into the ground two years ago. Even us hardcore fans found it hard to care about MLS with the World Cup going on. A break is a must... I agree, a Copa America for the entire western hemisphere would be great.
The Gold Cup is barely competitive, what would be the point of throwing a bunch of teams like that in with the South American giants?
I understand that, but still, outside of USA, Mexico and Costa Rica, most anything we could send down there would be a joke. If the US approached it like the Haiti game, that would be two competitive teams.
Imagine the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia all playing in a tournament with actual meaning. Lots of countries would make for great spoilers too (Canada, Honduras, Uruguay, Jamaica). That would be a thriller, and if held in the US it would be another great spur for public interest in the sport.
I'm not saying it isn't an intersting idea...I'd love to see a tournament like that. I just don't think the CONMEBOL teams would go for it. What do they really have to gain?
Ok, I see what you mean - but that's a different topic altogether. This thread is about the much needed summer break in the MLS schedule.
I think the FA just passed a rule saying that there will be a break in the dead of winter next starting next season. It's long enough when teams don't play for two weeks.
The proposed winter break in the EPL is to give the players some recovery time from a very draining schedule. Not exactly what we're trying to accomplish with the MLS summer break... (although it would be a nice side effect for the players not getting called up).