I believe that promotion relegation between MLS and USL 1 is neccesary for the MLS to grow. They simply can not compete with the NFL, MLB and NBA if they operate the same way they do. The MLS needs to stand out as a different form of sport. Interest will catch on once USL fans believe that their team has a shot to get promoted at the end of the year. Perhaps they could then get to see their home teams stadium sold out to watch Becks, or Ronaldo or Shevchenko when they come.

For those MLS teams that get relegated, tough shit. The system would be for the good of the sport in this country. Just make sure you get the best players and coaches to get you back up to teh MLS the next season. NOW GAMES AND SEASONS ARE STARTING TO MEAN SOMETHING! GET ME!

In MLS, we’ve already seen that Toronto’s more adult-orientated marketing can work in North America, albeit it’s not exactly what you suggest.

I like your idea very much, and I’d be fascinated to see how well such a venture would do in the right city here.

I believe the USL can be comercially relevant as a niche market because the desire of MLS to be mass market (and efforts to be family friendly) means a less exciting product for some.

A USL owner that had the cajones to create an adult friendly atmosphere where language and fan displays are not policed and where efforts are made to generally court young adults. Brewery sponsorships, terracing . . . oh the opportunities.

certainly the business aspects of stadiums and travle come into play, and of course all levels have to be on the same page, but this is what is best for us and best for the game.

soccer will not be an overnight success in the country, but if it is to succeed, it will only be if it is done properly.

Perhaps it’s more realistic to envision a pro/rel system between USL-1 and USL-2. However, you run into a situation where clubs can’t make travel costs on their own. The Richmond Kickers literally relegated themselves to USL-2 so that they could avoid any expensive West Coast trips. If they won and came up, could they even afford it?

I think it’s good to have a USL around, just to keep MLS on its toes and give American soccer fans more local clubs to support. Anyone hoping for the possibility of the USL-1 winner getting promoted to MLS, though, should cool their heels and stick to cheering for their clubs when they play MLS sides in U.S. Open Cup action. (And really, we gotta make that cup mean something. Champions Cup bid? SuperLiga bid? Either way, nobody’s going to care otherwise.)

For example, the failure of the women’s game with the WUSA gave room to the USL’s W-League. Where the WUSA failed, the W-League picked up and has done a pretty good job in a semi-pro fashion.

What I’d like to see eventually, when MLS gets settled with the number of teams they want, is an agreement between the two leagues (and possibly all of the leagues in NA) to formalize the soccer pyramid. This would allow for promotion/relegation between levels. With some sort of Welsh style requirements for minimum facilities, a Rochester or Montreal (with next year’s stadium) could go up, while a Atlanta or Charleston would need to build up their parks.