The biggest problem with MLS

[Clevelandmo]

MLS is often criticized by soccer aficionados. Klinsmann has recently said the season is too short to compete with the rest of the world. You always here complaints about no single table, the play-offs, no relegation, etc. However, the biggest problem with the league I see is with the MLS reserve team schedule. This year they played 10 games. That means you have Gen. Adidas signings like Omar Salgado only getting 10 games/year and whatever spare minutes he's thrown at the end of MLS games after the Whitecaps have already lost.

People criticize the college game, but I think Salgado's development would be far better served by playing in college where he would have a minimum of 20 fast paced, meaningful games in the fall alone. Most of the brightest young prospects in the US are the ones that skip college and go straight into MLS. If they get significant minutes in MLS then that is fine but if they just play reserves I dont see how that is better for their development with the current reserve team schedules.

[HatterDon]

MLS is often criticized by soccer aficionados. Klinsmann has recently said the season is too short to compete with the rest of the world. You always here complaints about no single table, the play-offs, no relegation, etc. However, the biggest problem with the league I see is with the MLS reserve team schedule. This year they played 10 games. That means you have Gen. Adidas signings like Omar Salgado only getting 10 games/year and whatever spare minutes he's thrown at the end of MLS games after the Whitecaps have already lost.

People criticize the college game, but I think Salgado's development would be far better served by playing in college where he would have a minimum of 20 fast paced, meaningful games in the fall alone. Most of the brightest young prospects in the US are the ones that skip college and go straight into MLS. If they get significant minutes in MLS then that is fine but if they just play reserves I dont see how that is better for their development with the current reserve team schedules.

well reasoned and well put!

[DCHeather]

I agree with a lot of what you said Mo. But if the player just wants to play soccer for a living and cares not for academia he'll chose the reserves everytime. Despite what is in his better interest.