Commish: Best year for MLS
Folks, I already listed some reading material for you earlier today, but I did want to quickly point to something else American soccer fans should take a look at — Sports Illustrated asks MLS Commissioner Don Garber many of the questions we’ve discussed ourselves here lately, about expansion, single table, designated players and so on. And overall, he’s obviously chuffed with the year so far.
Is this the most successful year MLS has had since the inaugural season of 1996?
– Bruce Jagarosovich, Los AngelesThis is arguably the best year MLS has ever seen. The inaugural season was so much about buzz. This one is about very strong fundamentals. Our quality of players is perhaps as high as it’s ever been, and a number of our developmental players have become terrific players — Jozy Altidore is probably the best example of that.
Expansion continues to go strong. When you look at San Diego, Portland, Vancouver, Montreal, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Miami and a second team in New York, just to name a few, there are more serious prospects for expansion than we have available teams. Our ownership group is as strong as it’s ever been and soccer-specific stadium development is going extremely well. Sponsorship is at an all-time high and we went past the 3 million mark in attendance for first time in league history. It’s an exciting time for MLS.
The whole interview is worth a read, and if you have any thoughts on the Commish’ views yourself, drop them here.
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Whenever I read or hear something the Commish has said, I can’t help but think, “Man, he sounds like an American.” I cannot shrug the sensation that the sport in this country is run by a bunch of guys who just don’t understand the heart and soul of the game.
Anyone else get that feeling?
It’s disheartening, but I have hope that my generation will understand the important aspects better than Garber and Co. Maybe then, being a fan in the US won’t be both frustating and often confusing.
Matth, I understand what you mean entirely, and it can be frustrating. For example, below the Commish, the front offices and stadium security people who obviously don’t understand soccer supporter culture.
But one thing I’d add is that whilst I think soccer here should respect its roots as a global game and not “Americanise” too much, as a business it does need to do some things more like other American sports than like European or South American soccer. For example, on the promotion/relegation issue — I don’t see American businessmen investing millions of dollars in teams if they might get relegated. Until the game is more established and expansion is complete, that is.