Comments on: MLS To Seattle in 2009: The Right Choice?

By: emrinho

emrinho — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:41:09 +0000

I am kinda new to MLS so I’m asking: Is it true that MLS has draft system like NBA? I last saw it on an old version of Football Manager series.

By: Thomas Dunmore

Thomas Dunmore — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:03:59 +0000

Just wanted to note a follow-up story in the Seattle press today. Some interesting stuff, as it looks like the Sounders will play in 2008, Drew Carey is involved in the ownership group, and the current USL team will move to Kitsap County (where's that, Pacific Northwesterners?).

By: Dubya

Dubya — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:20:00 +0000

I think we can prevent a great slide in level of play if we can raise the salary cap. If we can raise the cap, good young American players out of high school and college may prefer to stay here as opposed to taking chances winning spots in lower leagues overseas. Further, a higher salary cap (and maybe an increase in the number of senior and youth internationals we can have) could allow us to get more quality from overseas. If guys like Emilio, Fred, and Toja can be brought over for between 100k (Toja) and 300k (Emilio), more money means we can scout around and lure other players of similar ability.

As to Qwest Field, I think the idea behind SSS, besides creating a good atmosphere, is to have the owners/teams own their stadiums as well. I’d figure that if Paul Allen owns the stadium, and also owns the team, the team wont have to pay rent (which other teams in other peoples’ stadiums have to do) and may even get a cut of things like parking and concessions.

Now, as to the atmosphere, the lower bowl of the stadium is supposedly designed to serve soccer, but as to butts-in-seats, I guess that’s now the responsibility of the Sounders and their current fans.

By: Misareaux

Misareaux — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:22:00 +0000

I think the next two or three years, the overall talent level in the league will drop because of the expansion. After that, the youth academies being established by every MLS side should start having an impact on the quality of players entering the league. Don’t forget that judicious use of the DP rule can just as easily increase the quality of play in MLS because of the vast experience a DP player brings to the table, especially if he is able to effectively pass it on to his teammates.

By: Bob S

Bob S — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:46:49 +0000

I’m frightened by this fast expansion. The talent pool is spread thin already and this won’t help at all. Maybe there will be less restrictions on the number of Americans in a squad and an extra DP but I don’t know. It seems like MLS is choosing good candidates with good fanbases, I just hope the stadiums get built. We’re not the NHL and I just hope the MLS isn’t racing to get to an “acceptable” number.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:47:48 +0000

Keeping a USL-1 Sounders side for one more season wouldn’t build momentum. They’ve always been perceived as a minor league franchise in a major league town. They also happen to be a money loser and I don’t think that would change in 2008. I think they are right to take a year off, build a new MLS Sounders brand, and to try to tap into the large business base in Seattle that has largely ignored the current version of the Sounders. The further they can distance themselves from the current perception of the team the better. I say that knowing full well that they have had a lot of success on the field.

I have my reservations about how well they’ll do - especially in a stadium that is not exactly intimate even when it is a quarter full - but that largely stems from my Portland bias. It will certainly be interesting to see how it turns out, although I don’t expect to make the 180-mile trip very often to find out in person.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:37:36 +0000

The right choice? Let’s see…

I live in Seattle. Therefore… Hmmm… Thinking…

Yup. The right choice.

By: Dave's Football Blog

Dave's Football Blog — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:59:55 +0000

It seems fast, but if MLS gets to 16 clubs and stay there for a while — which I think has been its intent all along — it should be just fine. A 16-club league lets them do a 30-game, single table schedule, it would make an 8-team playoff seem slightly more meaningful.