I just realized that 9 weeks into the season I had not looked at the Standings ONCE!! Ive watched every Metrostars game but just have had no interest in the standings. Why? I guess because there just is no drama in looking into the standings in which just about everyone goes to the next stage. MLS has been smart enough since 1996 to slowly ajust the league to what we all know soccer should be like. They allowed for ties, eliminated the shootout, set the clock to count the right way with the ref controling the time, wised up about uniforms etc etc etc. Good job on their side. But 1 thing remains that MLS should fix, the playoff system. If they dont want to go totally Euro style they can still adopt the Euro style with 30-something rounds with ONE group only but instead of crowning a champ at the end with no Final match, simply get the top 2 teams to play the MLS Cup. This would at least for me make me look at the standing more often. EVERY game would increase in importance. As it stands right now teams like the Metrostars are probably a shoe in in the playoffs so there is little tension, excitement or even frustration in a loss. The other system would be a godsend. Take a look below and see what the current standings would be under those rules. MetroStars - 17 Revolution - 15 Earhquakes - 14 Wizards - 14 Fire - 12 Crew - 12 Burn - 6 DC United - 4 Rapids - 4 Galaxy - 4
I agree with the single table, but I think the playoffs should still exist, just slightly condensed. Lets say the top six go through to the playoffs, with the top two getting a first round bye. 3 v. 6 and 4 v. 5 in a two legger, then two leg semis as well.
Another thread on this? I was reading a different thread on the same subject the other day and a very good point was made: If the league were 12-16 teams (which is what MLS wants in the future), 8 teams in the playoffs wouldnt be a problem. That about be around 60% of the teams making the playoffs. If that were the case now, all the teams to make the cut would have at least 12 points. The bottom four would be eliminated. Not bad if you ask me. Keep in mind what you said. MLS is trying to make its league the best it can be by slowly tweaking the way things work. But its a slow process, they made a change in the playoff format, lets at least go one year before we want to change it again.
> MLS has been smart enough since 1996 to slowly > ajust the league to what we all know soccer > should be like. In what way is it smart? Did people who didn't like the MSL adjustments start going to games? Did people who had no interest in soccer before start going? Did we get more interest from investors or advertisers because of it?
      I can't remember - it's been a while since the MSL (or even its previous incarnation, the MISL) had made those adjustments. -G
If 60% of the teams in the playoffs is a noble goal, why not just cut the playoffs down to six teams now? A first-round bye would give additional meaning to winning your division.
      I know. Apparently, though, at some point in its history it was called the MSL. -G
Keep in mind that it's very important for the Metrostars to win the east. Why? Because then they can host the single-match all-or-nothing conference final. (Assuming they beat team #4 in the first round). Home-field advantage is traditionally huge. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2002-11-20-mls-changes_x.htm
single table sux this isn't europe, its america theres a reason for conferences... this isn't a good one, but look at the size of the US and the size of england... holy crap ay...geographically speaking each player could freakin' drive themselves to each game! If its nothing more than to keep some american tradition in MLS then... well i dunno I want this league to represent american soccer not euro soccer. thats how we win world cups...
Do you want to go "Euro style" like this: http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng03.html or like this: http://www.rsssf.com/tablesh/hong03.html Or they could do a group stage like in South America or do two single-table stages like Japan. What MLS does is the world standard because they do what fits in culturally. My wish is that people will stop being so insecure that they need an American soccer league to look like someone else's. Embrace individuality.
i know lots of people like to put down single tables but i still like the idea myself. i wish MLS would make the suppoerters shield an OFFICIAL award complete with fireworks, parades and a key to the city, and THEN there is a playoffs as well culminating in the MLS Cup. i've always thought this would be a nice hybrid. (yes, yes, i know the schedule is unbalance and it probably wouldn't be fair but i don't really care.) feel free to rip me a new one.
Once again, Hungaro-snob Monster wants to beat us over the head with Hungarian football's superiority over MLS.