Rating MLS

After reading the threads about Boca going to Rennes as well as the signings of other USMNT members throughout Europe, I wonder, where do you rate MLS in relation to the other leagues in Europe?

I don't follow MLS, have tried a number of times, but just can't get into the league primarily due to the presentation and the lesser quality (as compared to the EPL). A local club might help that cause, but I doubt we'll see one with franchises in Houston and Dallas.

From what I've seen of the USMNT, my personal preference would be for our guys to go to Europe over MLS which leads me to believe it probably doesn't rate that well.

 

I've always been a fan of the MLS and the Crew, but compared to other European leagues, it just isn't the same. It sounds like you are similar to me ... I just can't seem to follow the MLS like the EPL primarily due to the quaility of the presentation. Televised games of the MLS are almost painful to watch with the cameras and announcers.

But the quality of play is getting better. Much better now with the introduction of players like Beckham and Blanco. So I think give another 10 years and it could be at least equivalent to the CCC or some of the minor European leagues, like the Belgian leagues, etc.

 

At the current rate of progression, once the MLS makes its next financial progression (i.e., raising the salary cap and increasing roster sizes) and the MLS should place itself equal to the 6-10th best leagues in Europe. See the attached for ratings.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uef ... s2007.html

i.e., this means MLS will be equal to the Portuguese, Dutch, Greek, Russian, and Romanian league. This is not to say that the top teams from these leagues won't be better than the best MLS team, but will mean that, top to bottom, we'll match up well with these leagues.

 

Regardless of my support of the MLS and my local MLS team, I would of course prefer US players develop their careers abroad. Clearly we have talented players on the US team that have careers in the MLS, but if I had to choose I would hope that players would have a chance to go to somewhere with a higher standard.

On another note, if you don't live anywhere near an MLS team I can't blame anyone for not wanting to follow it on TV. It can be shoddy at times, but man . . I feel sorry for people that deny themselves live soccer if it's there. Especially if you're in Texas . . Dallas and Houston aren't bad teams at all. It's obviously not the Premiership, but who cares? If you haven't been to a game, you're not even giving it a chance.

 

First off, thanks to Andy for the info. I really didn't mean to turn this into an MLS pro or con thread. I was really interested in how it compared to the other European leagues and which ones were a step up, as well as which (if any) were a step down. I only mentioned my thoughts on MLS to explain that I don't have a fair assessment of the league b/c I don't watch it.

That said, with regard to the MLS, Houston is 3 hrs away, Dallas is 4.5 hrs. So if I'm going to follow it, it'll be on tv 95% of the time. If I can't get into that way, it ain't happening. I'll keep trying after the Prem finishes each year, so as to give it a chance, and hopefully one day it'll take. Or it won't. Less time devoted to watching sports wouldn't really be that bad of a thing for me.

I do travel in state for USMNT matches when we get them, fwiw. I saw the draw in Houston w/Mexico in Feb and witnessed the subsequent shooting outside the stadium after the match.

 

No, I do have an appreciation. If it's not anywhere near you, then fair enough. That's what I was saying. If it's near you, then why deny yourself. That was my point.

Understood and understood!