For all soccer and MLS fans:
Had some free time lately and with football (soccer) starting back up in Europe plus the World Cup on it's way, it got me thinking about the MLS. I know most Americans are used to standard conference/playoff systems, but a migration to a European like system is likely to make the game more interesting, exciting and popular and as well as remove complacency for some teams. All of this will likely spur increased investment in US soccer and likely translate to better quality players for both clubs and national teams. With a 29th MLS team coming in 2023 and a likely 30th coming in the next 12-18 months, here is my suggested revamp:
Part 1: A Promotion/Relegation League System
Assuming 30 teams in the MLS, you could split this into 3 league tiers (MLS 1, 2 and 3) composed of 10 teams each. The top 2 teams would be promoted up (except those in League 1) and bottom 2 relegated down (expect in League 3). End of season position in League 1 would also determine qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF League. Something like top 3 go to the former and 4th/5th go to the latter. Each team would play 9 others twice, for a total of 18 games. Assuming weekly games, you can knock this part out in around 4 months (all leagues play concurrently) e.g., start in mid-August and finish by Christmas.
Part 2: A Cross-League Knockout Cup
Similar to the FA Cup in the UK, you could add an additional tournament for the top 8 teams of League 1 and top 8 of League 2 (chose these numbers so the math works). You split the 16 teams into 4 groups of 4 who play Round-Robin style, with the top 2 of each group progressing to a knockout round. A bit unfair for League 3 teams, but even more motivation to do well and get promoted. Similar to the UEFA Champions League, each team would play 2 legs per game until the final which would be played in a rotating host city. This would follow the closing of League 1 and League 2 positions to determine group composition. Each team would play 6 games in the group stage and 4 more in the knockouts before reaching the final. Total of 11 games for the winner. Assuming weekly games, this tournament can be knocked out in 3 months (e.g., from mid-Jan to April).
Part 3: MLS Super Cup
Post-knockout cup you can then allow for a break until June or something where you play the Super Cup. Similar to the Super Coppa Italiana, this would be a 1-off game between between the winner of League 1 and the winner of the Knockout Cup (if its the same team, it would be between the League Winner and Knockout Cup runner up). Cities could bid to host or have it hosted annually in the Capital (like the final of the FA cup which is played in Wembley).
Major changes needed to the current system, but I feel this could really revive soccer in the US and put it more on the map. I'm sure there are flaws with this plan so happy to hear thoughts. Could this work? Would it make the MLS more engaging?
Relegation won't work in MLS. I do think it would be fun to somehow incorporate LigaMX. I have been watching MLS since 2008 - it has improved so much. I honestly think its a top 10 league. It gives me a sport to watch during some of the more boring summers with less sports on.
Americans can't be trusted with football.
MLS just simply doesn't have the depth to have any kind of relegation. If they folded into CONCACAF, then yes there'd be that. Make CONCACAF squared up with UEFA.
This is a very interesting idea. I like it.
I don't know if they have this already, but something Champions League esque with MLS, LigaMX etc. would be pretty sick.
Esque La Liga? Que pasa con la liga v concacaf?
How popular is football in the US?
It’s overshadowed by football, basketball, hockey, and baseball because those are North American sports with more media coverage. Most soccer fans watch European league and there is a lot of fans here especially because America is a land of immigrants and those immigrants usually come from a place in the world where soccer is the biggest sport. MLS gets less media coverage but have strongly loyal fanbases that keep them afloat. Average American male knows more about the aforementioned sports than soccer.
NFL and NBA are the two big ones but I would say soccer/ football is probably going to be number 3 soon.
Hockey is more regional (mainly the northern states that like it) and baseball is unpopular with younger generations so its fan base is ageing.
Problem is that most American soccer fans don’t give a fuck about the MLS and prefer to watch the premier league and champions league as it’s much better all around. The Premier league just got a multi billion dollar US TV deal which shows its growing popularity.
teams wouldn't survive financially to do this. Would be fun, but all the teams would fold.
One major issue with the American soccer system is that the pipeline from youth is to college soccer, and not MLS. Besides very few, going into college soccer is a dead-end for soccer careers. When at any of these academies, the idea is that you progress through the academy, go to college and play for the club's USL team in the summers, then sign a professional contract with the club. However, this process is constantly a failure. Very very few kids make it through playing college and USL ball. This means, the system is pushing kids through a system that truly has no end goal.
Of course, there are many standout home-grown players who sign professional contracts with their academies. This is without doubt where all the good players end up. Many of these players are increasingly being transferred to Europe once they turn 18. This formula is constantly proving to be effective and should be the followed practice.
With all this being said, most kids who choose to play D1 soccer don't have professional aspirations. However, in Europe, all academy players have the aspiration and goal of making it to their country's top flight.
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