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MLS Potential

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
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Given that a lot of teams already can't be arsed with the Europa League, I fail to see why any of them would give two shits about the club world cup regardless of how they revamp it, sorry.

Don’t see a comparison to the EL at all. That’s effectively a 2nd rate competition. The plan is actually to hold it at end of season in non major international cup years. Personally can see it being huge. It will be a prestigious competition to be crowned club world champions. There is clearly a gap in the market for this competition. FIFA see it as being massive if done properly.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Don’t see a comparison to the EL at all. That’s effectively a 2nd rate competition. The plan is actually to hold it at end of season in non major international cup years. Personally can see it being huge. It will be a prestigious competition to be crowned club world champions. There is clearly a gap in the market for this competition. FIFA see it as being massive if done properly.

You said the new CWC would be sandwiched between the EL and CL in terms of prestige, that's why I compared it to the EL. If people already aren't that bothered about the EL, why would they be more bothered about this? Playing most of the EL teams is far more prestigious than playing most of the people who you'd face in the CWC. Sure, it's interesting to see some of the famous South American teams like Boca play against a European giant, but other than that nobody will give a flying fuck about it.

You say it'll be prestigious to be crowned world champions, but isn't that already what you are with the current format, and nobody really gives a fuck about that. Like I say it's just another way for the big European teams to market themselves in Asia and the Americas for commercial reasons. So why would adding more teams suddenly make it prestigious? If the champions of each confederation playing each other is not prestigious, why would the 3rd/4th/5th place teams in each confederation playing each other make it any more prestigious? That just doesn't make any sense at all.

I really don't see how there's a "clearly a gap in the market" as you seem to be claiming. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "You know what, I wish there was more opportunity to play a load of crap teams I've never heard of from Asia or Oceana". Plus I can't really see any of the clubs or players being too happy about having to give up their summer breaks to play in this pointless competition that they don't care about. People already moan about international tournaments ruining clubs' seasons so now you want to have even more summers where the players don't get a break?

Sorry I just can't see any world where any of the big european clubs, players, or their fans, will be even remotely interested enough in something like this for it to work. Maybe as some sort of ICC type pre-season "tournament" but no way in hell would this become a massive prestigious tournament like you're suggesting. Absolutely no way.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
You said the new CWC would be sandwiched between the EL and CL in terms of prestige, that's why I compared it to the EL. If people already aren't that bothered about the EL, why would they be more bothered about this? Playing most of the EL teams is far more prestigious than playing most of the people who you'd face in the CWC. Sure, it's interesting to see some of the famous South American teams like Boca play against a European giant, but other than that nobody will give a flying fuck about it.

You say it'll be prestigious to be crowned world champions, but isn't that already what you are with the current format, and nobody really gives a fuck about that. Like I say it's just another way for the big European teams to market themselves in Asia and the Americas for commercial reasons. So why would adding more teams suddenly make it prestigious? If the champions of each confederation playing each other is not prestigious, why would the 3rd/4th/5th place teams in each confederation playing each other make it any more prestigious? That just doesn't make any sense at all.

I really don't see how there's a "clearly a gap in the market" as you seem to be claiming. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "You know what, I wish there was more opportunity to play a load of crap teams I've never heard of from Asia or Oceana". Plus I can't really see any of the clubs or players being too happy about having to give up their summer breaks to play in this pointless competition that they don't care about. People already moan about international tournaments ruining clubs' seasons so now you want to have even more summers where the players don't get a break?

Sorry I just can't see any world where any of the big european clubs, players, or their fans, will be even remotely interested enough in something like this for it to work. Maybe as some sort of ICC type pre-season "tournament" but no way in hell would this become a massive prestigious tournament like you're suggesting. Absolutely no way.

Will agree to disagree on this. Using you’re argument you could say exactly same about the World Cup. Which ultimately usually comes down to 6 european teams and a couple of South American. FIFA have spoken about the huge potential they see in it. I can see it. For whatever reason you can’t. I think you’ll be wrong and when it’s held as a stand alone tournament with no other football going on and as long as easily accessible TV wise it will be a big deal. As long as it’s not on some random TV station like premier or Eleven.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
Rooney been superb so far. Scored a worldy free kick last night and a crazy chip that hit the bar denied him a Hatrick.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
I can't see the MLS being anything else than similar to the Brazilian and Argentine top flights - big in their country but not massive outside of their home region. The CL, Euros and World Cup give the European leagues a massive advantage over the rest of the world. The best players want to play at the top level - domestically that's the CL and few (if any) English, French, Germans, Italians, Spaniards, etc. are making their Euros/WC squads while playing in the MLS. The only way the MLS could lure top talent from Europe is through ridiculous wages.

Given that a lot of teams already can't be arsed with the Europa League, I fail to see why any of them would give two shits about the club world cup regardless of how they revamp it, sorry.

I'd imagine for most Europeans it'd be less prestigious than the Europa League. Look at some of the teams in EL - Chelsea, Arsenal, Lazio, AC Milan, Feyenoord, Sevilla, I'd much rather watch Spurs play any of them than an MLS side.
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,336
329,025
Will agree to disagree on this. Using you’re argument you could say exactly same about the World Cup. Which ultimately usually comes down to 6 european teams and a couple of South American. FIFA have spoken about the huge potential they see in it. I can see it. For whatever reason you can’t. I think you’ll be wrong and when it’s held as a stand alone tournament with no other football going on and as long as easily accessible TV wise it will be a big deal. As long as it’s not on some random TV station like premier or Eleven.

Look at how the clubs feel about the WC as far as what it does to their players is concerned. Doing well in this could well kill off their domestic seasons the following year. No way will the big European teams throw everything into it after they have just finished a long hard season. No way whatsoever.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Will agree to disagree on this. Using you’re argument you could say exactly same about the World Cup. Which ultimately usually comes down to 6 european teams and a couple of South American. FIFA have spoken about the huge potential they see in it. I can see it. For whatever reason you can’t. I think you’ll be wrong and when it’s held as a stand alone tournament with no other football going on and as long as easily accessible TV wise it will be a big deal. As long as it’s not on some random TV station like premier or Eleven.

As you say, we'll have to agree to disagree on this. I can't see the clubs, players or fans being in favour of it and I can't see it ever becoming a prestigious tournament.
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
30,536
46,628
Atlanta won the MLS cup last night in only their second year in existence. They did it in front of a crowd of 73,019 - that's more than they've had at the last four Superbowls.
 
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yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
Atalanta won the MLS cup last night in only their second year in existence. They did it in front of a crowd of 73,019 - that's more than they've had at the last four Superbowls.
Atlanta gets really good attendance figures. Stark contrast to many other mls clubs that cant even fill a 3rd of their stadium.
 

ChristianBaler

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2010
1,877
1,246
Darren Eales (our former director of admin) is now the club president of Atlanta Ud....looks like he's down well to assemble a good squad
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,039
Whatever Americans think of MLS one thing is for certain, to my mind anyway, the Americans love theri sport and love going to a game.
I guess it helps in places like Atlanta that the weather's warm, even in December.:)
 

WalkerboyUK

Well-Known Member
Jun 8, 2009
21,658
23,476
Atalanta won the MLS cup last night in only their second year in existence. They did it in front of a crowd of 73,019 - that's more than they've had at the last four Superbowls.

My brother was at the game. Said it was like a Galatasary game outside - flares, fireworks etc.
Shame it won't continue for them - manager has quit and star midfielder joining Newcastle in January,
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
My brother was at the game. Said it was like a Galatasary game outside - flares, fireworks etc.
Shame it won't continue for them - manager has quit and star midfielder joining Newcastle in January,
Yep. Atlanta can't even reinvest. From the Almiron sale, Atlanta will get very little. MLS/SUM will get most of it.
 

WalkerboyUK

Well-Known Member
Jun 8, 2009
21,658
23,476
Atalanta won the MLS cup last night in only their second year in existence. They did it in front of a crowd of 73,019 - that's more than they've had at the last four Superbowls.

Just noticed something from this post...
Don't suppose you work for Sky Sports do you, as they made the same mistake, showing the Atalanta badge instead of the Atlanta one.
 

allpaths

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2014
3,174
8,381
MLS and footy in general in America wont become massive until, little hoodrats start using the sport to escape the shitty deal life has handed them. America will go nowhere in the sport with just rich college kids playing the sport.
 

smallsnc

Well-Known Member
Mar 30, 2017
699
1,237
I think footy in America will continue to grow and we will continue to produce better players up to the age of 16. The issues with development really begin there as MLS and other top youth clubs don't have a U23 or 2nd team that a 16 or 17 year old can join to test himself against better and older players and MLS does not do a good job, other than a couple of clubs, bringing youth into the senior team. With that said, a number of players between 16 and 18 are leaving for Europe after being developed in the US your system. There have been a half dozen or so players, 16-18, leave the US for Germany the last couple of years. McKinnie with Schalke is starting matches both in the Bundeliga and CL at 19, Josh Sargent (18) got his first time and first goal of the season for Werder Bremen in the Bundeliga this weekend after scoring 7 in 12 for their 2nd team. Others are in 2nd division teams or youth setups including a 17 year old that Bayern have just signed for a record MLS signing. Man City just signed or is about to sign keeper Zach Stefen. Almiron from Atlanta is rumored to be going to Newcastle in Jan.

MLS is going to start getting younger IMO and become a selling league to the big 5 in Europe over the next 10 years. Then we can see where it will go after that.
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
30,536
46,628
Just noticed something from this post...
Don't suppose you work for Sky Sports do you, as they made the same mistake, showing the Atalanta badge instead of the Atlanta one.

I'm blaming auto correct Walkerboy.... And you don't want to know what it just changed your name to
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
MLS and footy in general in America wont become massive until, little hoodrats start using the sport to escape the shitty deal life has handed them. America will go nowhere in the sport with just rich college kids playing the sport.

Agree completely, although probably wouldn't have used the word "hoodrats" but I'll let you off ;)

Also I don't think it'll ever compete with other leagues while players are still going through the American system of playing for your High-School team, then playing for your college team, then getting drafted etc. I mean really even if you're naturally talented as a player, it's complete pot-luck whether you happen to go to a high school where the coach is any good and even at college level it's still not a professional environment. American kids don't get to experience a professional level development environment until they graduate college and get drafted at what 22-23 years old? How are they supposed to compete against e.g. European kids who have been coached by elite level clubs from the age of 10 and been basically fully professional since the age of 17. They've got no chance unless they do a Pulisic and move over to play in Europe instead of going to college in the US. Would Messi have ever achieved his dizzying heights if he's waited till he graduated Uni before going professional? Unlikely.
 

allpaths

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2014
3,174
8,381
Agree completely, although probably wouldn't have used the word "hoodrats" but I'll let you off ;)

Also I don't think it'll ever compete with other leagues while players are still going through the American system of playing for your High-School team, then playing for your college team, then getting drafted etc. I mean really even if you're naturally talented as a player, it's complete pot-luck whether you happen to go to a high school where the coach is any good and even at college level it's still not a professional environment. American kids don't get to experience a professional level development environment until they graduate college and get drafted at what 22-23 years old? How are they supposed to compete against e.g. European kids who have been coached by elite level clubs from the age of 10 and been basically fully professional since the age of 17. They've got no chance unless they do a Pulisic and move over to play in Europe instead of going to college in the US. Would Messi have ever achieved his dizzying heights if he's waited till he graduated Uni before going professional? Unlikely.
Used the word, because I thought it was funny and couldnt think of a word that was less offensive. Surprised more people have called me out.

US Footy's best chance is when American Football becomes illegal in the states due to head injuries, causing a mass migration over.
 
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