Dear Major League Soccer,
I've been holding this in for some time, but I think it's time I expressed my true feelings:
I hate you.
I know this may seem harsh after the long relationship we've had. From DC United's MLS Championships to Ricardo Clark's assault on Carlos Ruiz. From McBride leaving the Crew to Taylor Twellman crying every year at the finals. It's been a great ride, but I can't hide it any longer. I hate you.
Every weekend I am forced to watch slow, boring, uninteresting and horrific soccer. It's painful. But like an annoying girlfriend that's been around for years and years, it's been hard to sever the tie.
Of course, there are Brian Ching's amazing headers and DeRosario's ridiculous bending free kicks. Then there is the speed of Dominic Oduro and the flying saves of Matt Reis. I won't deny that you give me some action here and there, but it's time you accept the fact that it's just not good enough. The problem is that the breathtaking moments happen rarely.
Today's Must Reads
For the most part, it's terrible.
I hope that one day you will realize that the reason for your lack of quality, dullness, horrible first touches, and never ending turnovers can easily be fixed with one small adjustment. Beckham isn't playing in the United States because of prestige or distinction. He is here for the money, and maybe because the United States isn't a bad place to live and work, especially when your wife is the boss.
He is here because he is making $1,000,000.00 per week. Whether it's endorsements, jersey and ticket sales, Adidas contracts or just plain salary. Beckham makes more in one day than some MLS players make in a year.
It doesn't sound right because it isn't right. It's simple: quality players will leave when they are offered more money.
Adjust your salary regulations and maybe the future Altidores will be happy with their surrounding players, their salary and (oh yes, it IS possible), world class play in the United States. Until then, we are officially on a break and I will be fulfilling my needs with every means possible.
Even if it means watching Mexico's horrific excuse for a league.
Until we meet again, Diego
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about 1 month ago
good article good laugh. i watched a game on espn the other day. awful.
about 1 month ago
If you and your ilk (let’s call them The Fickle) do not support the league it will not get better. Obviously MLS is not top level, however, I think we’d all agree that the league does not have money to create a Barca or even Everton overnight. The quality of play has consistently risen year after year. The commitment the league has made to attracting better players doesn’t deserve a blogpost like this. Also, it is a heck of a lot easier for you to get your butt to your local MLS stadium than Old Trattford or Azteca. Us (let’s call us the MLS Diehards) know that the league will eventually be amongst the best in the world (it’s the American way), however, without support from The Fickle, The Diehards may have Euro-ball on TV as our only football outlet.
from about 1 month ago
As a kid living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I remember rejoicing when I heard there was going to be a professional soccer league in the United States. Having just moved from Brazil, I was amazed at the lack of knowledge and awareness of the game in my new home town.
My dad took me to 2 World Cup games in '94 where I watched Brazil play the USA and Holland. After that I watched as much MLS as I could (which wasn't much due to coverage).
I then moved to Houston, still following the MLS very closely and being a big fan of DC United (the biggest and baddest team I liked as a kid). When the Earthquakes moved to Houston, I went crazy. I have 3 Houston 1836 t-shirts from the first few days of the Dynamo. I went on to attend every single home game the Dynamo played, every home playoff game and the MLS Cup in Frisco. I attended every home game in Houston during the Dynamo's second season as well.
This year I haven't been able to make all the games, but I have attempted to watch as many games as possible. The problem is that it just isn't attractive soccer. Sure, the quality has improved from a few years ago, or maybe even from last year, but you can't seriously expect me to believe that Major League Soccer will be among the best in the world. The Houston Dynamo are the powerhouse of MLS lately and they can't even beat Pachuca.
I may not be a "Diehard" anymore, but I not fickle, I'm just realistic. The MLS needs to invest their money in keeping good players here. Young South American players are dying to come play in the USA, why not try it before trying to get a few big names to fill some seats?
about 1 month ago
I think this is a great article Diego, but I also have to agree with Mark a little bit. I watched tons of MLS games at the beginning of the season but as of late—due to travel, better football on tv, and the terrible streak my fire is on—i have taken a break. I do miss MLS but every time I turn it on lately it hurts to watch. And this is not only because of the play, which has markedly improved and I hope it will continue to do so, but also because of the coverage and the commentary, which are god awful. No wonder no one watches.
The money issue is something I am torn on. I am from the school of thought that the USA should export as many players as humanly possible—as long as they see the field overseas. I am all about the national team and the only way it is going to get better is if we continue to have our best players training with the best in the world. On the flip side, that leaves MLS very short handed on top talent. But i do not think that has to always be the case. MLS has to be willing to reach out to young players in central and south america and bring them into the our league. We are not going to get the Blancos and Angels in their prime but there are plenty of other very skilled players that would fit in great with MLS teams.
from about 1 month ago
I agree that the US National Team will not get better if all of their players come from the MLS. National Team players need to be playing in Europe. Or at least a good part of them.
I only wish that Major League Soccer would invest more time, money and effort into finding young international players. Players in Brazil barely even get paid compared to the salaries of some MLS players, yet the quality of their play is far superior. Brazil doesn't have a great domestic league, but it is a league for the fans. It's fun to watch. It's passionate and competitive and it sparks the youth to follow in their footsteps.
This is all impossible due to the limit on international players on each roster, which is why it's something that I believe needs to be changed along with salary restrictions. Who cares if American fans can't pronounce Rodrigo de Souza Cardoso?
about 1 month ago
U.S.A. needs to go South and buy cheap players from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay.
U.S. investors should take a page from LDU`s book.
Their average salaries range from 4K to 20K USD. yet they overcame Boca`s Riquelme, Sao Paulo`s Adriano and a packed Maracana to lift the Libetadores cup.
If in Tokyo LDU manage to jam 3 past ManU ...the whole world might start rethinking just what money can buy you in football.
For six months of Beckham`s salary I bet an entire squad can be put together which could rival any team in the world.
about 1 month ago
I watched one MLS game in my life...that was LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids. The game was terrible! I think La got beat 4-0!
I never tried to watch another game after that!
from about 1 month ago
I'm not the biggest fan of Major League Soccer right now, but you gotta give them a bigger chance than just one game!!
from about 1 month ago
I probably will, but i doubt I'll ever follow it!
about 1 month ago
Very funny article.5 stars.
about 1 month ago
change up the rules to open market...
about 1 month ago
It's all about the players. Until they get players, in their prime, to play in MLS, it will never be up to the level of the EPL, La Liga, or Serie A. I watch my share of MLS games on TV, and there are some good players. But many times it is painful to watch, so many turnovers, too much physicality, bad first touches and passes, and poor finishing.
Thank goodness I have a subscription to GOL TV and FSC so I can watch he European and South American leagues. MLS will get better, just don't see it rising to top level status...ever.
about 1 month ago
terrible first touches...amen
Funny article...
about 1 month ago
Totally agree with the article, until better players come to the US it will be awhile for the league to improve. One thing that the MLS can hope for is that players do what Beckham did when he came to LA, get big names that are no longer super studs in Europe but still have a big name draw. That will get more casual fans to watch which put more butts in the seats and eyes on TV to give the league more revenue.
Plus these players would be one of the top players in the league or at least better then over 70% of the league, and that will help the talent overall for better play. Another way is that a lot of teams are getting Soccer specific stadiums with the newest one opening up here in SLC and that is huge for team revenue which again will go into scouting and getting better players.
The TV deal with ESPN and Fox Soccer was huge this last go around because those channels actually paid for their rights instead of the other way around.
It will just take time as well this league is very, very young and the business model has been good in when to expand and fold teams (the two teams in Florida recently) to make sure teams succeed. I have never been a huge soccer fan but going to live games in Salt Lake even though its not great was still pretty exciting, and especially being at the World Cup Qualifier with USA vs. Costa Rica a few years back shows what soccer should be.
Soccer diehards should just be patient and the league will be able to attract better talent and increase the salary. Oh and having another baseball strike would not hurt the league at all, thus giving the Summer to soccer the only major sport in those few towns.
about 1 month ago
Dear Diego,
You look terrible in orange. that is all.
love,
spenser
about 1 month ago
Maybe I'm alone in this, but I don't really care about the quality of play, I care solely about supporting my local team (the LA Galaxy). I don't care if the league is 10x worse than EPL, I'd support my Galaxy over Manchester anyday.
from about 1 month ago
I am a big Houston Dynamo fan. I wear the colors. I go to games. I have their sticker on my car. I attend their events. I follow their season. I support them in any way that I can. I was just making the point that the quality is not improving at the rate of the league's growth and it is excruciating to watch. Any knowledgeable fan can recognize good soccer and the fact is that Major League Soccer is an example of what good football is not. Sure, there are a few sparks here and there, but the majority of players in the MLS could be replaced with D1 college players and there would most likely be no difference.
I support my team as you do, I just feel that until MLS makes some changes, the quality will remain poorer than Michael Vick.
about 1 month ago
I'm with you mark! It's all about the passion. I've seen far worst games being played in the Brazilian League, but still the stadium is full with passionate fans, supporting their team, no matter what. Slowly but surely you are seeing more supporters group. Can't wait to see the Philadelphia 2010 supporters! In time the quality will get better. Oh btw, it wouldn't hurt for team to get BETTER coaches.
from about 1 month ago
I agree that it's important to have passionate fans. Passionate fans are a huge part of what makes football what it is. And it's hard to expect fans to be as passionate about their team in the MLS when the EPL is over a hundred years old and the MLS has only been around since 1993.
The article was meant to show my view of the restrictions that the MLS has on salary and players. I feel that if they make some changes there will be more big name players staying within the league and the quality of play will greatly increase.
And yes, there are terrible matches in Brazil, as there are in England, Spain, Turkey, Australia and Iran. Funny how that works.
about 1 month ago
Sorry, I meant Mike! Eventhough Mark's comments are great!
about 1 month ago
Good post, Diego, but it's a bit strange that you made it US-centric. There has been a huge resurgence of interest in the MLS thanks to the introduction of Toronto FC last season. Yes, it was a poor first season but when you take into account the injuries to key players, as well as the lack of any real depth, then TFC's first season performance is understandable.
This year we are seeing name players coming into the league - Laurent Robert is still a great (if moody) player on his day, and Rohan Ricketts has long been underestimated.
Remember, the EPL only really has 4-5 teams of real quality itself - plus the competition there is crap, it will always be the same teams fighting it out for the Premiership. It's as bad as the Scottish league nowadays.
Give the MLS time to grow and establish itself - soccer is still a foriegn concept to North America, much as football (US-style) is to Europeans. It all takes time - in the meantime, be grateful you have such a well-supported (in general) league.
from about 1 month ago
I am not sure if I SHOULD know who those players are, but I absolutely do not.
Also, I am not sure if your statement about the EPL having only 4 or 5 quality teams really qualifies as true. If Tottenham, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City all took turns playing an MLS team, what do you think the end results would be? I think it all comes down to what your definition of "quality" is.
I understand that the MLS is young and that it takes time to build support and regard for a league and it's teams, but I feel that the MLS has made some mistakes in their salary and player regulations. You and I both know there are better players out there that would love to play in the MLS. So why aren't they?
I am a huge supporter of my MLS team, but I can't convince myself to watch the terrible games when I can turn it to FSC for some quality soccer. Once the MLS figures it out though, I will rejoice.
23 days ago
Ok lets be serious, why are we comparing probably the newest soccer league in the world to the oldest (and in many peoples mind, the best) league which has dozens of firmly established teams. The strides the MLS has taken in the past decade are huge and its ignorant to believe it wont continue to improve. It would be better to compare the MLS teams to the Swiss or Danish league, both of some quality, but nowhere near the level of who the MLS teams are compared to since those are the teams they have heard of over here (EPL and La Liga especially).
Also, I've only been to one soccer game. It was TFC vs Chicago and Chicago won 3-0, and it was probably the most entertaining sporting event I have been. I loved it even though my team lost and was in the midst of the worst stretch in the history of the league. And ya the soccer was bad, but when I saw them first hand how good they really are (especially in comparison to me) and that gave me a greater appreciation for the EPL and soccer around the world.
22 days ago
1. If that was the most entertaining sporting event you have ever attended, you need to get out and go to some other games.
2. I was never "comparing" the two leagues.
3. If we dropped our jaws every time we saw athletes better than us it wouldn't really make the top athletes that exciting now would it?
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