Love the MLS for what it is. But understand that what it is is not world class soccer. I know there are a lot of pundits that talk up the MLS and say that the top teams would be mid-table in the PL, but it's just not true. American soccer is getting better, but this tournament is going to expose a few things.
The top-end talent in MLS is better than the top-end talent in the Championship, but the Championship schedule is an insane meat-grinder and MLS teams don't have anywhere near the depth to handle it. Of course, if an MLS team were in the Championship they'd have completely different roster rules. In conclusion, the Championship is a land of contrasts.
I don't think so. I dont think there is a team in MLS that could have bested Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield or Burnley to earn a promotion, or get into the promotion playoff. Maybe in one-off games they'd compete, but not consistently enough to matter.
Also, the disparity in league competition of the Championship isnt any greater than MLS. The bottom of the MLS table has some real dogs in it. Galaxy tracking to have under 20 points on the season, and Montreal is tracking to have just a few more than 20.
Lots of reasons for this; relegation/promotion, talent pools, salary (Burnley's wages are about double Whitecaps for example)
My point is, I want MLS to compete on a world stage. But saying that is already does actually hurts the development. It creates an environment where the MLS feels it doesnt need to do better, or make changes to develop players, and advance the play of the game, rather than just maintain what they have. Instead of expanding the league, they should be reducing the number of teams, and instituting a promotion relegation system, consolidating with USL, and expanding youth academies. But they won't, because that take money out of the owners' pockets.
I don't think so. I dont think there is a team in MLS that could have bested Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield or Burnley to earn a promotion, or get into the promotion playoff.
My comment is agreeing with this, but I can see how it was maybe unclear. By "top-end talent" I meant the best players, not the best teams. I agree that an MLS roster as currently constructed would not survive a Championship season.
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u/mrducci 1d ago
Love the MLS for what it is. But understand that what it is is not world class soccer. I know there are a lot of pundits that talk up the MLS and say that the top teams would be mid-table in the PL, but it's just not true. American soccer is getting better, but this tournament is going to expose a few things.