***US Based Soccer Leagues***

[Urbandale2013]

With the conclusion of the World Cup I’ve actually been paying attention to MLS and USL some. Are there others who pay attention to any of these leagues?

I’m really hoping we ultimately see the USL Championship team come to Des Moines.

This weekend I saw a guy score a hat trick in less than 5 minutes.
I’ve been impressed that the talent doesn’t seem near as bad as it was in the past.

 

[Clonehomer]

I’ve come to enjoy the MLS as a summer sport. Not sure how it’ll hold my attention when moving to the fall next year. Do wish they’d spread games out rather than single match days with a ton of games. At least across a couple days during the week would be nice.

 

[cycloneman003]

I pay attention to MLS and it’s fun league that continues to get better. There are lots of good players on MLS and it’s getting there!

I also watch USL League One because we have a really fun club here in Madison with Forward Madison FC. The level of play isn’t that great necessarily but it’s entertaining and fun crowd experience. We draw 4,000-5,000 per game.

Smaller soccer specific stadiums do a world of good for the sport domestically as well. I’ll be very interested in how the stadium in Des Moines will turn out.

 

[deadeyededric]

With the conclusion of the World Cup I’ve actually been paying attention to MLS and USL some. Are there others who pay attention to any of these leagues?

I’m really hoping we ultimately see the USL Championship team come to Des Moines.

This weekend I saw a guy score a hat trick in less than 5 minutes.
I’ve been impressed that the talent doesn’t seem near as bad as it was in the past.

I like MLS. I dont get get see Sporting games as much since I dont live in KC. The skill level is noticeably different than Premier League or LA Liga and even the Mexican League so it does take a lot of the attraction out of it for me. I feel kind of like a baseball fan in a country where my my league is like the 8-9th best league in the world and then thinking about MLB. I think the USL getting more teams and playing in tournaments and having an opportunity to be in MLS will make things more fun.

 

[CysFive]

With the conclusion of the World Cup I’ve actually been paying attention to MLS and USL some. Are there others who pay attention to any of these leagues?

I’m really hoping we ultimately see the USL Championship team come to Des Moines.

This weekend I saw a guy score a hat trick in less than 5 minutes.
I’ve been impressed that the talent doesn’t seem near as bad as it was in the past.

Currently watching three matches and MLS 360 on the AppleTV quad box. I watch a lot more than I used to. The quality is noticeably up from even five years ago. Loads of younger players and academy products coming through. Watching Philly (Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre) against a Michael Bradley coached Red Bulls (Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall). Everyone but Hall is still in their teens. Mehmeti and Sullivan are clearly bound for better things, with Sullivan already contracted to go to Man City in two years when he turns 18.

 

[Hoggins]

EPL starts next month. Follow that

 

[CysFive]

I like MLS. I dont get get see Sporting games as much since I dont live in KC. The skill level is noticeably different than Premier League or LA Liga and even the Mexican League so it does take a lot of the attraction out of it for me.

I'm a Bundesliga guy myself, but it's more of a cultural/stylistic preference. Disagree on Liga MX being higher quality than MLS beyond the big spenders. Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions League results bare it out. Liga MX is recruiting MLS players straight into their teams, and a middling Brian Gutierrez from Chicago immediately got a role with the Mexican national team (relevant since most of their team comes from Liga MX). Although I suspect that Liga MX ending relegation will see the depth of their league improve, and that we'll see continued commercial cooperation between the two leagues.

 

[WIBadger]

I'm a Bundesliga guy myself, but it's more of a cultural/stylistic preference. Disagree on Liga MX being higher quality than MLS beyond the big spenders. Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions League results bare it out. Liga MX is recruiting MLS players straight into their teams, and a middling Brian Gutierrez from Chicago immediately got a role with the Mexican national team (relevant since most of their team comes from Liga MX). Although I suspect that Liga MX ending relegation will see the depth of their league improve, and that we'll see continued commercial cooperation between the two leagues.

Completely agree on the Bundesliga, that’s the primary league I follow (plus some MLS, USL and EPL). How do you feel about them leaving ESPN+ for Fandango and USA/Telemundo?

 

[BigTurk]

I would but the MLS is on Appletv and I don't have Appletv. USL doesn't hold my interest at all.

Now go watch some Premiere Lacrosse League, or better yet catch a game when it comes through, and let's talk.

 

[BryceC]

I’ve come to enjoy the MLS as a summer sport. Not sure how it’ll hold my attention when moving to the fall next year. Do wish they’d spread games out rather than single match days with a ton of games. At least across a couple days during the week would be nice.

Terrible decision, I’ll never understand it, but here we are.

I hope MLS can continue to grow. I actually think they should be 50-60 teams and a place like DSM should get one too. I wish they were holding off a bit in the USL thing.

 

[ZorkClone]

I will probably try to go to USL Pro Des Moines if that ever happens. I like sports for the emotional connection to teams, and I usually get that by actually attending games.

 

[cycloneman003]

Terrible decision, I’ll never understand it, but here we are.

I hope MLS can continue to grow. I actually think they should be 50-60 teams and a place like DSM should get one too. I wish they were holding off a bit in the USL thing.

MLS just isn’t going to do promotion/relegation so growing beyond 30-32 teams isn’t realistic to manage.

I think USLs end game is try and compete directly with MLS and force a unified US soccer pyramid but I doubt they’ll have the money and support to make it work.

The USL structure that they are moving to in 2027-28 should be really compelling though if they can make it work.

 

[cyfanbr]

MLS just isn’t going to do promotion/relegation so growing beyond 30-32 teams isn’t realistic to manage.

I think USLs end game is try and compete directly with MLS and force a unified US soccer pyramid but I doubt they’ll have the money and support to make it work.

The USL structure that they are moving to in 2027-28 should be really compelling though if they can make it work.

Was just having a similar discussion to this with someone yesterday. MLS will never agree to a relegation system on their own, which is why I hope the USL is successful. Force the issue for a merger that then creates a relegation system. If this happens, then a lot more teams will pop-up across the US which will greatly improve the sport’s popularity.

 

[jcisuclones]

I've followed the Premier League and English football pyramid for almost 20 years, and I just can't get fully invested in MLS until the US adopts promotion/relegation and seriously reorganizes the system. The closed league structure is a big issue for me as well. MLS owners have invested hundreds of millions, and in some cases over a billion dollars, into their franchises, so I just don't see them agreeing to a system where poor performance could tank the value of their investment. I also don't like the single entity structure and how it limits player salaries and movement. It makes it harder to attract quality players in their prime, so the league often becomes more of a retirement option for world class players rather than top-level talent at their peak. Then you have a playoff system where nearly half the league qualifies. I get that there are 30 teams, but I'd rather see a true top flight of around 20 clubs where the best team over the course of the season wins the league, with relegation providing meaningful consequences for finishing at the bottom. As it stands, MLS just feels more like fan entertainment than true competition to me.

Another huge part of what makes the English and European systems better to me is the local connection. I'm from central Iowa, why should I naturally feel connected to or support a team in Kansas City or Minneapolis? In England, even smaller communities have their own clubs that represent their town, and those clubs can theoretically rise through the pyramid and reach the top level. I'd much rather support a club that actually represents my local community than just pick the nearest MLS franchise. That's part of the reason why I'm hopeful Krause is successful with starting a second tier club in Des Moines, and it would be even more exciting if Pro/Rel gets implemented in the system.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

MLS will never do pro/rel. It's just not going to happen to a US pro league. Which sucks. Current owners have no incentive to agree to it, why would they want the risk of being relegated?

Maybe USL will? I think there were some rumors but again I doubt it. It would be cool if more medium to small towns get teams in the USL system, give folks something to rally around for their community.

Was initially excited for the Krause stadium in Des Moines but the way they've drawn this out to suck every last public dollar (while at the same time going over seas and spending money like there's no tomorrow) has soured me on it. Still want it to happen but not nearly as excited. They've wasted so much time and good will.

 

[cydsho]

Union Omaha that in the USL League One just announced plans for a dedicated stadium in the north downtown area of Omaha. They used to play at the Stormchasers field and currently play at Creighton's soccer stadium (which is very nice).
Really looking forward to the new stadium opening in 2028. Union has had some good teams and seemed to be really good at connecting with the local scene.

 

[cycloneman003]

I will say that American soccer fans probably overstate the MLS needs pro/rel argument. I definitely would love it, but I don't see it as absolutely necessary for the MLS to become one of the best leagues in the world. At the end of the day it's still all about money. There are some uber rich dudes getting into MLS ownership and pouring money into their rosters. Brand new soccer specific stadiums that are ~20-30K and constantly at, or near, sold out crowds. A couple years left on their AppleTV deal before they can negotiate a new, more lucrative TV contract.

If they can keep the cash flowing in they are going to keep getting better. Young homegrown talent is improving, some European stars are coming over at younger ages than before and are more impactful for longer, etc.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

 

[BryceC]

I will say that American soccer fans probably overstate the MLS needs pro/rel argument. I definitely would love it, but I don't see it as absolutely necessary for the MLS to become one of the best leagues in the world. At the end of the day it's still all about money. There are some uber rich dudes getting into MLS ownership and pouring money into their rosters. Brand new soccer specific stadiums that are ~20-30K and constantly at, or near, sold out crowds. A couple years left on their AppleTV deal before they can negotiate a new, more lucrative TV contract.

If they can keep the cash flowing in they are going to keep getting better. Young homegrown talent is improving, some European stars are coming over at younger ages than before and are more impactful for longer, etc.

Pro/Rel, in my opinion will never work for US soccer leagues.

It works in England where everything is regional and people have deep emotional ties to a club.

It will not work with brand new clubs that are already trying to get interest.

 

[Urbandale2013]

MLS will never do pro/rel. It's just not going to happen to a US pro league. Which sucks. Current owners have no incentive to agree to it, why would they want the risk of being relegated?

Maybe USL will? I think there were some rumors but again I doubt it. It would be cool if more medium to small towns get teams in the USL system, give folks something to rally around for their community.

Was initially excited for the Krause stadium in Des Moines but the way they've drawn this out to suck every last public dollar (while at the same time going over seas and spending money like there's no tomorrow) has soured me on it. Still want it to happen but not nearly as excited. They've wasted so much time and good will.

USL is officially doing pro/rel based on my understanding. My hope is that USL beats out MLS as the primary organization.

Home | uslsoccer.com

The official website of the United Soccer League (USL), the largest professional soccer organization in North America which oversees the USL Championship, USL League One, and USL League Two.

www.uslsoccer.com

USL seems to be a soccer organization and MLS is an American pro sports organization that does soccer.