| NewGuy said:
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 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.
