It makes sense in Europe where population density is high and there are thousands of different teams already.  In the USA there are 325 million people and in Canada there are 35 million people and both populations are widely dispersed.

Here's an example... Over 7 million people live across upstate New York. The only MLS team in the state plays in the Bronx. It can take upwards of 5 hours to drive downstate for many of those residents. It takes less time to drive from Buffalo, NY to Columbus, OH than from Buffalo to the Bronx. If NYCFC were to affiliate themselves with the Rochester Rhinos they suddenly reach millions of more fans who, if they continue to follow players through the system, will be watching and supporting NYCFC. The affiliation also gives NYCFC more news coverage upstate where it is currently scarce.

Well, this has evolved out of the old reserve league where clubs were "[insert club] Reserve" so many clubs just altered it to "[insert club] 2" to make connection with first team.

I think it is more about plaer development and control than brand expansion. I can see you perspective though.

Easily best week thus far this year with drama all over.

First off, somehow, someway, DC United stole 3 points with a stoppage time free kick stunner by Silva (freshly back from injury) after being outplayed for 90 minutes. Huge match for GK Hamid who has to have suitors from Europe this Summer.

Toronto long road trip to start the season due to stadium expansion is showing its toll dropping 3-2 to Chicago as the grumbles start once again for the chronic under achievers.

Colorado cannot score, they have no attack threat and could set league record for longest stretch without a goal now.

Seattle thanks to Martins won despite being down a man in a match Houston will have to think got away from them.

Vancouver continues stunning start to the season as Los Angeles surprisingly has had a very sluggish start.

Huge drama in Portland with Dallas falling 3-1 leading to managers nearly have a go (which is very unusual). Porter and Pareja simply loathe one another right now

How about Kansas City down 1-2 in the 90th minutes and scoring two stoppage time goals to win 3-2 and leave Philadelphia in disbelief. Supporters in Philly are furious at management spending so much on a GK that makes costly mistakes.

What a match last night in Champions League semi finals second leg. I hope you can watch video below from Montreal about the drama of last night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_5rScU47Q

Montreal advances 4-4 on aggregate away goal tie breaker, will know who they play in the final after tonight.

I think the craziest bit of the match was towards the end the home supporters began throwing shoes at the Montreal players. If people don't think it is hostile to go away in this region have no idea what it is like.

In league play a thrilling 202 draw in Vancouver as Columbus impressed against the Whitecaps. both these sides have the pieces to make some noise this year.

In Champion's League America won 6-0 in an absolute slaughter to overturn their first leg 0-3 deficit and advance to play Montreal in the final. America were the big favorites when the tournament started and that kind of performance only cements that expectation.

I don't dislike the MLS. I think it's great we have a respectable pro soccer league that's arguably Top 15 in the world and definitely Top 10 in terms of attendance. I simply want to watch a superior product than what I see on the field at MLS matches. I think one problem with MLS is that they sign a lot of big name players in their 30s (Kaka, Beckham, Henry, Villa, Gerrard, Lampard, etc). I have read rumors somewhere that Ronaldo and Messi will be looking to come to America after their contract is up, which, again, will put them in the over 30s category.

If MLS can get to the point where it can sign these players in their primes AND develop an academy where they can groom some young talent, then I think they will be on their way and I will be a fan AND STH. Imagine a young Brazilian like Neymar, a young Colombian like Rodriguez, or a young Argentinian like Messi deciding whether to go to Barca or LAFC, wouldn't that be nice? Or a young european like Ronaldo or Muller, deciding whether to stay in Europe or come to play in the US? That's the point where I'll start watching MLS, I don't want NYCFC to sign Ronaldinho or Robinho or any other past their prime players.  Last I heard teams in MLS have no academy system like they do in Europe, hence why we don't have any home grown players. Maybe that's changed in the past few years and you can enlighten me? I hear someone like Yedlin was a product of an academy in Seattle, but I don't know. Really, though, we are a country of 320+ million ethnically diverse individuals, how many young talented boys do you think have fallen through the cracks? 

Another issue I have is the fact that MLS and NASL are not working together but trying to compete. I understand the no pro/rel system here and why it won't work for us, but NASL, being a division 2 league, should be working with the MLS not trying to compete against it. The same way USL is doing it now.

Maybe I am being unrealistic and MLS will never be a Top 5 league in the world in terms of quality on the field. I'm sure it'll be there in terms of attendance and stadium quality, but quality on the field is the main issue and one that will get americans saying "The big 5" instead of "The big 4" major professional sports.

The circus that is Philadelphia sees them basically tell their botched big GK signing Mbolhi to go away after an abysmal performance last and this year. So, a club that was fine in net drafted a GK and signed one and is actually worse off for it. Poorly run club that needs time to recover from this foolish signing.

The market in Europe over past 20 years has warped in such a way that outside of it no one can afford transfer fees.  Messi right now would command a 200 million fee, which is just insanity.

MLS clubs do have academies and they are the way forward and we are in early years of that system. I look at my club DC United bringing along Bill Hamid who went from raw talent yearsa ago to a top keeper in the league and could be number one on national team. Academies take time and are not a science or everyone would produce Neymars.  

The challenge is signing for name or for talent.  Beckham brought in more fans than a dozen smart mid level signings would have, similar with Villa and Kaka this year.  I agree I personally prefer smart signings I can see from owners how financially a big older name is better business than a young prospect.

NASL relationship with MLS is on NASL and their desire to compete while USL is happy to have a working relationship with them. I am fine with that and honestly the future of NASL is in doubt as more markets are brought in by MLS.

MLS has astounding potential, but it does take time. 20 years ago we didn't even have a league so our progress is phenomenal, so I think next twenty we could see amazing growth.  Even so, we could still be a bit off the top league as the sport continues to grow all over.