Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

***US Based Soccer Leagues***

IMHO the US does not need to be one of the top leagues for soccer to continue to grow. I actually think this path is the hardest and probably the more unlikely of all the options.

I’d much prefer that the sport grows due to exposure and giving people a reason to be interested in the sport. Meaning, more teams in more places which is what a tiered approach would most likely accomplish. If I lived in DSM, Wichita, Boise, Madison and there was a local team in the third or fourth tier. You bet I’d be going to their games and supporting the team. Meanwhile, I live a couple hours away from a couple MLS teams and couldn’t care any less about them.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Urbandale2013
coolerifyoudid said:
I agree with you completely on this. I'm just saying the risk/reward of this type of investment (for those with the means to do it) is far greater than other options out there. I really hope there are enough people willing to accept that risk to get it off the ground.

I just have my doubts because I've seen so many NFL/MLB/NHL/NBA teams move cities over the years, and all of those have more established fan interest. I feel like I could see a soccer owner cut his losses versus investing more into a sports entertainment market that has been ballooning somewhat dangerously for awhile.

I'm just building a wall of pessimism so I don't get too disappointed :p
Click to expand...

I just don’t think American fans without any relationship to brand new clubs can survive relegation. People could blame the owners but I bet fans would bail if teams got relegated.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: coolerifyoudid
cyfanbr said:
IMHO the US does not need to be one of the top leagues for soccer to continue to grow. I actually think this path is the hardest and probably the more unlikely of all the options.

I’d much prefer that the sport grows due to exposure and giving people a reason to be interested in the sport. Meaning, more teams in more places which is what a tiered approach would most likely accomplish. If I lived in DSM, Wichita, Boise, Madison and there was a local team in the third or fourth tier. You bet I’d be going to their games and supporting the team. Meanwhile, I live a couple hours away from a couple MLS teams and couldn’t care any less about them.
Click to expand...

That third or forth tier already exists in a lot of places, that would be something like the Menace.
 
cyfanbr said:
IMHO the US does not need to be one of the top leagues for soccer to continue to grow. I actually think this path is the hardest and probably the more unlikely of all the options.

I’d much prefer that the sport grows due to exposure and giving people a reason to be interested in the sport. Meaning, more teams in more places which is what a tiered approach would most likely accomplish. If I lived in DSM, Wichita, Boise, Madison and there was a local team in the third or fourth tier. You bet I’d be going to their games and supporting the team. Meanwhile, I live a couple hours away from a couple MLS teams and couldn’t care any less about them.
Click to expand...
But this is Anerica, we have to be #1 in everything...

I agree with your points but stand by the goal being #6.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cyfanbr
BryceC said:
That third or forth tier already exists in a lot of places, that would be something like the Menace.
Click to expand...
Steaks are different when there is no mobility. You’re on the forth tier, but maybe not good enough to win a title? When every game still matters because you don’t want to get relegated or maybe you can win a few more games above your expectation and maybe grab that last playoff or promotion spot etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Urbandale2013
cyfanbr said:
IMHO the US does not need to be one of the top leagues for soccer to continue to grow. I actually think this path is the hardest and probably the more unlikely of all the options.

I’d much prefer that the sport grows due to exposure and giving people a reason to be interested in the sport. Meaning, more teams in more places which is what a tiered approach would most likely accomplish. If I lived in DSM, Wichita, Boise, Madison and there was a local team in the third or fourth tier. You bet I’d be going to their games and supporting the team. Meanwhile, I live a couple hours away from a couple MLS teams and couldn’t care any less about them.
Click to expand...
I think you can see this some with MiLB and the G-League. No body actually goes because there is no real point to winning. They are subservient to their parent organizations and care more about helping them win than anything else. Back when it was the Iowa Energy it seemed like there was more support because they were their own thing and they actually cared about winning.

The other spot you can see it is the historic success of college sports. The engagement and pride for smaller locations works, but only when there is a connection to an organization that is striving to win.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: cyfanbr
cyfanbr said:
Steaks are different when there is no mobility. You’re on the forth tier, but maybe not good enough to win a title? When every game still matters because you don’t want to get relegated or maybe you can win a few more games above your expectation and maybe grab that last playoff or promotion spot etc.
Click to expand...

I guess I disagree. If you’re a competitor, and most pro athletes are lunatic competitors, you aren’t going to give a bit more to try and keep your club out of relegation.
 
MLS doesn’t have a pro/rel problem they have a salary cap problem.

It’s still an enjoyable home league that i enjoy watching but they need some salary reform.
 
BryceC said:
I guess I disagree. If you’re a competitor, and most pro athletes are lunatic competitors, you aren’t going to give a bit more to try and keep your club out of relegation.
Click to expand...
My comment was in regards to fans’ perspective/engagement.
 
I think MLS needs to get rid of many of its silly rules and salary cap. Parity is good in theory but the league needs dominant teams for it to be more relevant internationally. Kind of like how the Big 12 needs dominant teams to make the CFP, which would benefit the rest of the league.
 
WIBadger said:
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?
Click to expand...
Fandango? I need to Google that. Sounds like it's free, which is nice. I liked being on ESPN+ since I was already going to have that anyway.

Hopefully they put more than just Bayern on USA/Telemundo. A lot of great atmospheres in the Bundesliga, and people don't realize that the depth of the football culture is second only to England. Three tiers of national pro leagues, and the authenticity of the 50+1 club ownership model.
 
Al_4_State said:
I'll never be able to get into European soccer from an emotional investment standpoint because I just don't have any connection to any of the places represented.
Click to expand...
This is me too. I still watch it because I enjoy the game, but when I studied abroad went to several matches (different places, different levels) and realized that I would always be an outsider. Compared to being born and raised in ISU's community, it's no comparison.

I think if you join the bandwagon on a mega club there are enough foreign fans to have some community with, but that's not for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom
Back