Mls

#1
TylerD

TylerD

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#1
I watched the Sea-LA game last night, and I started thinking of things that would make the MLS more exciting. I am sure that most soccer fans on here would keep up with the EPL over the MLS any day. Is there anything they could do to change that or does everyone just wish the EPL was covered more often?

If they just got more of the US roster like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, etc to play in the MLS it would help a TON. The sad thing is we only have 4 members of the WC team playing in the MLS.
 
#2
#2
It's still entertaining to be able to see players like Brian McBride and Kasey Keller play on a regular basis. Everyone likes to be snobby about their soccer and just act like the EPL is all they'll watch. I think that's ridiculous.
The MLS is a good league. The quality may not be up to the same level as other leagues, but neither is the US national team. Our team will never be able to get much better until we create a more competitive league at home. American soccer fans who write it off as inferior and don't give it a chance are the ones keeping the league from moving forward.
I enjoy watching the MLS. I also enjoy watching EPL matches. Just pick a team, and try to give the league your support. Also, remember where the NFL was 15 years in...almost broke. The MLS will get there, just don't be a snob!
 
#3
#3
I'd like to see MLS programming more accessible. If ESPN and NBC can provide the nearly unwatchable WNBA, something can be done for soccer that doesn't involve the purchase of special programming packages.
 
#4
#4
MG1968 said:
I'd like to see MLS programming more accessible. If ESPN and NBC can provide the nearly unwatchable WNBA, something can be done for soccer that doesn't involve the purchase of special programming packages.
Click to expand...

+1.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#5
#5
I agree. Though, if you don't have FSC, you should find a way to get it. Just call and threaten to leave cable for direct tv. That's what I did and they threw in the little bonus sports package with ESNP News, ESPNU, FSU, and a couple others to get me to stay.
 
#6
#6
^ Well-done.

Portland is getting an MLS team next season. I'll probably go check a game out just to see what it's like.
 
#7
#7
we have a tourney in 2 weeks in DC and have a tailgate planned afterward for the DC/LA game. Been meaning to make it up to a game so it better be a good one
 
#9
#9
TylerD said:
I watched the Sea-LA game last night, and I started thinking of things that would make the MLS more exciting. I am sure that most soccer fans on here would keep up with the EPL over the MLS any day. Is there anything they could do to change that or does everyone just wish the EPL was covered more often?

If they just got more of the US roster like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, etc to play in the MLS it would help a TON. The sad thing is we only have 4 members of the WC team playing in the MLS.
Click to expand...

This would be horrible for the US team. I have no idea why you would want that.



Panthro said:
It's still entertaining to be able to see players like Brian McBride and Kasey Keller play on a regular basis. Everyone likes to be snobby about their soccer and just act like the EPL is all they'll watch. I think that's ridiculous.
The MLS is a good league. The quality may not be up to the same level as other leagues, but neither is the US national team. Our team will never be able to get much better until we create a more competitive league at home. American soccer fans who write it off as inferior and don't give it a chance are the ones keeping the league from moving forward.
I enjoy watching the MLS. I also enjoy watching EPL matches. Just pick a team, and try to give the league your support. Also, remember where the NFL was 15 years in...almost broke. The MLS will get there, just don't be a snob!
Click to expand...

I completely diasgree with just about everything you have said. It is not necessary to have a great domestic league to have a quality national team. The Brazilian, Argentinian and Dutch leagues are not that good yet their national teams are very good.

We need to get our players into Europe early to develop their skills, not have them in the US playing in the MLS. All of the best players in the world are playing in Europe. That isn't a coincidence. Look at what Mexico is doing, the majority of their players are over in Europe. Not in the Mexican League or the MLS.
 
#10
#10
Panthro said:
It's still entertaining to be able to see players like Brian McBride and Kasey Keller play on a regular basis. Everyone likes to be snobby about their soccer and just act like the EPL is all they'll watch. I think that's ridiculous.
The MLS is a good league. The quality may not be up to the same level as other leagues, but neither is the US national team. Our team will never be able to get much better until we create a more competitive league at home. American soccer fans who write it off as inferior and don't give it a chance are the ones keeping the league from moving forward.
I enjoy watching the MLS. I also enjoy watching EPL matches. Just pick a team, and try to give the league your support. Also, remember where the NFL was 15 years in...almost broke. The MLS will get there, just don't be a snob!
Click to expand...

I hope you were speaking in general because my intentions were finding ways the average soccer fan would gain more interest in the MLS.

Anytime LD touches the ball the stadium went CRAZY.. If we had more players that these US Team fans love the league would have more support nationwide.
 
#11
#11
Panthro said:
I agree. Though, if you don't have FSC, you should find a way to get it. Just call and threaten to leave cable for direct tv. That's what I did and they threw in the little bonus sports package with ESNP News, ESPNU, FSU, and a couple others to get me to stay.
Click to expand...

I guess you completely overlooked the part where I said I don't want to have to pay for special programming packages.
 
#12
#12
volball625 said:
This would be horrible for the US team. I have no idea why you would want that.

Maybe because this thread was about the MLS gaining popularity..

Call me crazy, but I think making soccer more popular in the US just might help the US team...

I was going out on a limb on that one.
Click to expand...
 
#15
#15
TylerD said:
I hope you were speaking in general because my intentions were finding ways the average soccer fan would gain more interest in the MLS.

Anytime LD touches the ball the stadium went CRAZY.. If we had more players that these US Team fans love the league would have more support nationwide.
Click to expand...

Yes, speaking in general about being a snob. The MLS does need to get better and more dominant to help soccer grow in this country. I don't understand disagreements with that. We have the resources as a country to make the league and talent level rise by bringing a higher-quality product to our own country. However, we cannot do that if US soccer fans refuse to embrace the league right now.
 
#16
#16
Of course we need better players. But I would rather not have our own players try to increase the popularity of the league because our national team will suffer.
 
#17
#17
Panthro said:
Yes, speaking in general about being a snob. The MLS does need to get better and more dominant to help soccer grow in this country. I don't understand disagreements with that. We have the resources as a country to make the league and talent level rise by bringing a higher-quality product to our own country. However, we cannot do that if US soccer fans refuse to embrace the league right now.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree completely. That is why I think getting some of these guys home would be vital to capitalize on the WC attention. Then, you can make the move to bring in better players that you wouldn't have to pry away from big time clubs.

Bringing in the likes of Christiano, David Villa, Torres, Rooney, or any other star status player is impossible. However, bringing in guys that are very good but don't get the attention in foreign leagues isn't impossible. We just have to get the money first.
 
#18
#18
Money is what does it. We don't have the capital in soccer here to offer those kinds of contracts, and soccer won't get the best athletic talent we can offer.

Frankly, I'm happy with US soccer being able to be in the world cup and have the no. 1 regional ranking given that our best athletes are more likely to choose football, baseball, basketball, hockey, wrestling or track, all over soccer. It means our marginal athletes can at least stay on the field with what the best of the rest of the world has to offer.
 
#19
#19
Panthro said:
Nope. Try reading my post again. I don't pay extra for FSC.
Click to expand...

FSC is comcast channel 728 where I live, which means the only way I'll ever get it for free is by looking through a neighbor's window.

which goes to my point, if ESPN (or ESPN2) can show crap like the world poker tour, outdoor team bowling and spelling bees, they can show MLS.
 
#20
#20
I wasn't kidding. Call them and threaten to leave for direct tv. If they call your bluff, just hang up the phone. Most likely, they'll try to offer you something to stay. For me, they offered movie channels. I told them I was more interested in the extra sports channels. They threw in those along with Boomerang and some good kid networks for my son. They did it all to keep me from canceling my service.

ESPN2 does show a game or two once in a while, but I have no idea who picks their match ups. Recently they showed Seattle and Philadelphia, which are two of the worst teams in the league.
I will say that they show a lot of the playoffs, which is fun. I had a blast watching every game a couple of years ago when Columbus won it all.
 
#21
#21
my overall goal (no pun intended) is to broaden access to MLS, not threaten Comcast into making an exception just for me.

Comcast's extended basic includes 6 dedicated sports channels, 7 if you include Vs. Between ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports South, Comcast Sports South, Speed, and Golf. Obviously Vs., Speed and Golf aren't going to carry MLS, but that still leaves 4 channels.

You keep saying that MLS is a good product, obviously it isn't, otherwise it wouldn't be buried in an obscure part of the dial that requires paid subscription to access.
 
#22
#22
MG1968 said:
my overall goal (no pun intended) is to broaden access to MLS, not threaten Comcast into making an exception just for me.

Comcast's extended basic includes 6 dedicated sports channels, 7 if you include Vs. Between ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports South, Comcast Sports South, Speed, and Golf. Obviously Vs., Speed and Golf aren't going to carry MLS, but that still leaves 4 channels.

You keep saying that MLS is a good product, obviously it isn't, otherwise it wouldn't be buried in an obscure part of the dial that requires paid subscription to access.
Click to expand...


What does that have to do with anything? Entourage is a good product too, but you need a paid subscription to get it as well. Wasn't one of the Stanley Cup Finals games on Versus? Do you realize that only one EPL match is aired per week in England? That is because they want to drive traffic to the games so they can continue to make money. We literally get more EPL access than they do on TV.
You don't seem to get my point. I'm saying that the league is competitive, and fun to watch. It just won't get any better if soccer fans here in America don't embrace it and help it grow.
 
Last edited:
#23
#23
MG1968 said:
my overall goal (no pun intended) is to broaden access to MLS, not threaten Comcast into making an exception just for me.

Comcast's extended basic includes 6 dedicated sports channels, 7 if you include Vs. Between ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports South, Comcast Sports South, Speed, and Golf. Obviously Vs., Speed and Golf aren't going to carry MLS, but that still leaves 4 channels.

You keep saying that MLS is a good product, obviously it isn't, otherwise it wouldn't be buried in an obscure part of the dial that requires paid subscription to access.
Click to expand...

If the MLS could do a NASCAR tie in, I'm sure the folks at SPEED could work something out.













I am dead serious about that, too.
 
#24
#24
Panthro said:
What does that have to do with anything? Entourage is a good product too, but you need a paid subscription to get it as well. Wasn't one of the Stanley Cup Finals games on Versus? Do you realize that only one EPL match is aired per week in England? That is because they want to drive traffic to the games so they can continue to make money. We literally get more EPL access than they do on TV.
You don't seem to get my point. I'm saying that the league is competitive, and fun to watch. It just won't get any better if soccer fans here in America don't embrace it and help it grow.
Click to expand...

how can we embrace it if it's nearly impossible to find? Why would I want to drive 360 miles to Columbus, OH to take a chance on the Crew being worth seeing in person? I could take your word for it, but since you have a friend on the team, you obviously have a bias. The Crew could be no better than a 12 year old AYSO team for all I know.

Put more games in front of more people. Good grief, with all the support the US WC team received across the country, don't you think that now is the time to bring the MLS onto more mainstream channels?
 
#25
#25
Maybe they will start putting more on mainstream channels. Just when the games are on, I ask that you watch with an open mind. Notice it for the league's potential instead of how it isn't as good as watching a Champions League match.
I understand your point about not wanting to drive to Columbus. I could be just promoting them because I have a friend on the team. But, just like many teams in the league, they have good players.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - used to play for Argentina's national team
Frankie Hejduk - US World Cup squad in '02, and '06
Robbie Rogers - Called up to US World Cup qualifying squad, but injured his back in a qualifying match.
Gino Padula - former Argentina national player, and spent some time in EPL
Duncan Oughton - New Zealand national team
Brian Carroll - US WC qualifying match player
Columbus won the MLS Cup two years ago, and lost in the semi-finals last year to Real Salt Lake, the eventual Cup winners.
 
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