I suppose that I might be spoiled with the fast, crafty play in the Champions League shown on ESPN2 or the EPL on FOX, but quite frankly, I haven't seen a really entertaining MLS game on TV. Now don't bite my head off. I do respect the league and have been watching MLS since '01, but the humiliating losses LA and Columbus took Wednesday night confirmed the fact that the speed of play and overall flair to the game needs to improve. The league can get better, and with the progress MLS has had so far on and off the field only confirms the fact that it certainly will get better in the future. But as of now, what do you, the hardcore MLS fan, like to see improve the most?
That's funny.. I use European games to help me fall asleep. Most of those games are snorefests. Aside from the EPL, most teams wouldn't know where the goal is if they didn't have fans to run toward. Sachin
Cutting down on the number of times defenders simply upend players that beat them might improve things...
Actually I think the physical aspect of our game is one of our best qualities, but it would be even better if we could combine it with some really good attacks.
call me a snob, but for some reason, when ever I see an MLS game with a great crowd, the game almost instantly seems more exciting to me. The reverse is true as well for me. No matter how good the game may be on the field, if I can hear crickets chirping in the stands, it takes away much of the excitement and entertainment for me as a fan. This goes for both watching in the stadium and watching on tv. Andy
I agree with Andy B. The atmosphere at the games needs to improve. Not just numbers, but the quality of fans--more soccer savvy and less dimwitted. Stupid horns that drone on like dying cattle need to be banned. Flags and confetti need to proliferate, and some of those dang kids need to grow up. EPL fans are grown-ups. MFL fans are grown ups. MLS Fans are tweens and soccer moms. Until the game in this country attracts a crowd that is more passionate about the game, it will be a bore to watch. Playing in borrowed arenas with enourmous irrelevant words covering the penalty areas and invisible soccer lines doesn't help.
First off you need to realize that the speed of play is never going to be like the EPL. Soccer runs April through Octorber, which means HOT WEATHER most of the time. Inform yourself---go look at the average weather temperatures when the EPL season is full swing--fall through spring. You just simply can NOT run around for 90 minutes when it is 80 degrees with SIGNIFICANT humidity. Attacking flair? I will agree with you 100%. The hot weather eventually yields space for attackers to work their magic. Our youth players on the whole haven't grown up that way. The big problem? There's a huge disconnect between youth soccer and MLS. Possession style play and thinking is not taught at the youth level on the whole---the teams emulate their favorite EPL run till you drop team. Add in the fact that they play 11 v 11 on narrow fields, and it's easy to see why we don't produce more creative players. There must be space to allow players to be creative, and youth soccer allows ZERO space or time on the ball. In no way does it immitate the professional game here and many youth soccer leagues play FALL OR SPRING seasons instead of playing through SUMMER, which is what MLS does.
I may be only a "youngin" or whatever, Im still competent at the games, and i know what calls suck and whatnot. My hope is to get into the fort when i become older.
I just thought I would post that. Im not trying to be rude or anything. Its just a little stereotypical. But i see what your saying.
American players need to learn how to dribble better and make wide open passes without the ball bouncing all over the place. Watching Atlanta and Philadelphia (the ladies) move the ball around is 10 times more entertaining than any KC or the Metros games with their current players will ever be. By the way, MLS is the only league (men's) that I follow. The lack of emotional attachment to other leagues makes me sleepy everytime I try to watch any european games. I mean I can't even last 20 minutes when no American player is involved.
MLS can't generate a beautiful attacking style unless the league SERIOUSLY CRACKS down on tactical fouls. When in transition, the team on retreat too often has a hack make a very simple tripping foul (not an ugly hard vicious tackle necessarily). It stops play, bores fans, causes mids/strikers to be MUCH more worried about where legs are than where his teammates are, and makes games seem slower (especially when the transitional player decides to try and milk the foul for an immediate yellow or for effect to garner a yellow next time it happens). The US clearly has some GREAT talent. I watched some really great football last weekend via DISH Shootout. I wouldn't mind a lick if MLS told refs that a simple foul in quick transition is a mandatory yellow (use "unsportsman-like" C1 or "persistent" C3 for a reason).
The other thing that would help MLS is to ensure ALL the TV broadcasts have the color go to referee training (grade 8). Ty is a complete idiot for not knowing the law of the game and then spouting off during live broadcasts. His idiocy only breeds more idiocy in fans, players, and coaches. *whew* That felt good...
the poll needs to have an option added: About 12 more years of time. and i'd vote for that. having seen 3 mls games on tv up to this point in the season, i was most impressed with the Crew/Metrostars game. this is not to say that i wasn't entertained by the Galaxy's first 2 games. again, i think the real thing that will add to the quality of MLS, and therefore entertainment level for the fans, will be time. patience is a virtue.
What you see is what you get. The game will not get more entertaining unless some rules are changed. That will not happen unless the whole world gets together to change them. So same boring crap. Low scoring. No subs. Hardly any shots. etc.
I guess a cohesive attack goes with attacking flair. Watching ManUre dismantle Newcastle last week is the way the game should be played offensively.
Whoever invented those horns, and ThunderStix, should roast in hell for all eternity. MLS is trying to figure how to market to both groups (hardcore v. soccer moms) and to be honest, it's failing. The hardcore group needs little marketing, but isn't large enough in most areas to provide decent crowds. The soccer moms need coaxing, but they are afraid of passionate crowds. How MLS manages to deal with this will decide if the league grows in attendance, or is stuck in the 15K range until Hunt and Uncle Phil get sick of losing money. IMHO, of course.