In 2 months, US Soccer faces a lawsuit that could completely change American club soccer's future
The complaint (from NASL) contests that their division rules violate federal antitrust laws by catering themselves towards their own business partners (MLS).
NASL has a strong case
Current division 1 rules demand the following..
- 15,000 minimum capacity stadium
- 1 million people in the given market
- $40 million minimum net worth for owners
It essentially makes it so that only franchise models with filthy rich owners (MLS) can get to division 1.
I think MLS has done the best job in American history of building a league. The stadiums, academies, media deals, attendance, etc. speaks for itself
But fundamentally, USSF having standards catered towards MLS is not fair for leagues that want to try to become alternatives
Every World Cup, I’m reminded that our national anthem, while historic and important in our country, is mid when compared to other national anthems.
Don’t hate me, I only bring truth.
France’s and Mexico’s national anthems, just off the top of my head.
It’s just hard to sing (fundamentally, from a music theory perspective it’s nearly impossible) and the lyrics are straight out of the 1700s and hard to understand.
Christian Pulisic needs to leave Chelsea because it's a place where attackers are going to have their talents wasted...
Here's a quick thread sing the 2021/22 season and Liverpool as a comparison group since their attackers thrive in the same league:
Number of times targeted with a pass per 90 minutes:
- Liverpool: All 4 primary attackers were in top 15 in the squad
- Chelsea: 1 attacker in the top 15
Havertz, Chelsea's most used attacker, would be SEVENTEENTH on Liverpool in usage.
Attackers are training dummies at Chelsea
Kante, Alonso, Chillwell, and James all averaged more touches in the final 3rd than Pulisic (& other attackers)
Pulisic averaged 25 touches per match in the attacking 3rd, James averaged 40
16 players on Liverpool's squad had more attacking touches than Pulisic got at Chelsea
It sucks that travel soccer is expensive in the USA.
It also sucks that people assume that’s something that could just be fixed overnight. Teams have to pay coaches, refs, travel fees, travel, kits, etc.
There’s not some boogeyman out there trying to keep it expensive.
Soccer has been facing the same problem in this country for almost 150 years - we are freaking huge and playing games all over is expensive.
Easy to start a cheap local Rec league but to play the best teams? That requires $$ to pay coaches and travel all over the country.
The solution is a greater density of both playing talent and coaching talent. People in Florida shouldn’t have to leave Florida to play good teams. More coaches will mean cheaper options.
Ideally, a team in NYC could stay in NYC and play plenty of great teams.
Thinking about the fact that one year from now, both Liga MX and MLS will be suspending league play for an entire month for a 47-team Leagues Cup.
Still so many unanswered questions - where will the final be? Will Liga MX ever get home games? How will groups be divided? etc. etc
The tournament is officially sanctioned and will give 3 births to CCL. Off of that alone, it's a big deal.
But it won't be what it could be unless it's marketed properly and fans understand the stakes. Could be a huge $$$ maker for LMX/MLS but they have to start it right.
A lot of issues with a neutral site final..
Tigres vs Club América final would pull 50k for a neutral site final anywhere in the USA. But what happens if you get New England vs Atlas and the game's in Las Vegas? Will the final flop?