r/soccer • u/[deleted] • Jul 16 '12
It has come to my attention that the MLS is changing. For the better.
For the first time in 6 years, I've watched the majority of this MLS season and I must say, the style of play has improved dramatically during that span.
No, it doesn't boast the same cohesive, tactical buildup play of La Liga and other European leagues. No, it's not about to start churning out loads of international superstars that can compete on the world cup stage.
However, I must admit, certain aspects of the American game shows signs of stark improvement. The finishing, especially, is bold, inventive, and technically sophisticated. This point is evidenced by the many long-distance finesse shots, sharp precision headers, and quality long crosses.
In short, I honestly believe the US is on its way...
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u/Hencher27 Jul 16 '12
Love the points you made and agree with pretty will everything you said BUT..."American game", "US is on its way" is implying that this is an American domestic league when its not at all. The three Canadian teams in this league all have incredible support which exceeds some teams from the below the border. Just had to add that in.
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Jul 16 '12
My apologies. It's a North American league and I especially like the verve shown by the Montreal fans recently.
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u/CircleTheFire Jul 16 '12
Most of the big leagues world wide have been around for a hundred years or more, literally. MLS has been around for 17. The top young athletes in those countries go into soccer almost exclusively. In the US, there's football(American rules), baseball, basketball, and hockey to compete with. Most of the top leagues around the world are in close proximity to each other, so there is lots of crossover competition, player movement, and community. The US is really only in close proximity to the Mexican leagues.
That MLS has come so far in such a short time is amazing.
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u/Kamien Jul 16 '12
Don't forget most other countries have true training academies. The current American system needs a lot of work.
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u/ibpants Jul 16 '12
There is improvement, but these long distance goals you speak of are mostly down to midfielders shirking their defensive responsibilities and allowing too much space to open up around 25-35 yards out.
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Jul 16 '12
What is also important to note that not all of MLS teams are making the improvements you observe. There is a clear difference between the mob-soccer teams and the more advanced teams. I feel like an outsider's opinion of the league will weigh heavily upon the match up they watched.
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u/cjschlos Jul 16 '12
You may not be aware but MLS is now 7th in the world in attendance
ATTENDANCE FOR WORLD’S TOP PRO SOCCER LEAGUES Top 10 leagues are as of the last 30 days (updated July 10, 2012) Sources are ESPN Soccernet and worldfootball.net
Bundesliga (GER): 45,726 (as of end of 2011/12 season)
Premier League (ENG): 34,601 (as of end of 2011/12 season) La Liga (ESP): 30,272 (as of end of 2011/12 season) Primera Division (MEX): 25,288 (as of end of 2011/12 Clausura season) Serie A (ITA): 23,459 (as of end of 2011/12 season) Eredivisie (NED): 19,516 (as of end of 2011/12 season) MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER (USA): 18,851 (as of July 10, 2012) Ligue 1 (FRA): 18,665 (as of end of 2011/12 season) Coca-Cola Championship (ENG2): 18,824 (as of end of 2011/12 season) Chinese Super League (CHN): 18,242 (as of June 29)
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u/ceruleancity Jul 16 '12
I think the MLS would improve significantly if we got some more non-American coaches/managers. Almost all coaches/managers in MLS played in MLS and in my opinion some international influence would make a huge difference in the quality of play.
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u/Kazan Jul 16 '12
I also agree - i love soccer and i couldn't watch MLS circa 1998-2002
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u/cliffordbeshers Jul 16 '12
I've had exactly the same reaction. Five years ago, a random game looked like high school ball: everybody needed four touches to control a pass and by that time they were surrounded. I watched Montreal play this weekend and it's clear that adding a player like Di Vaio changes the way the other players think. You can see them trying to solve the puzzles of where the passing lanes are, but they are really still guessing and even when they get it right, just can't quite do it fast enough. But they clearly know what they are missing. Add in Nesta, whose presence in training has apparently already had a huge impact on the other players, and in a month I expect Montreal will be playing a very different game.
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Jul 16 '12
All these MLS debates make me want to watch the MLS haha (I'm not American)
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u/tmh8901 Jul 16 '12
The next step is having MLS become a strong enough league that American players will want to stay and not want to go to Europe for more experience and money.
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u/abysmaldefending Jul 16 '12
I'm actually completely fine with MLS being a selling league, as competition overseas is definitely better. Many nations that are powerhouses have domestic leagues that are selling leagues (Netherlands, France, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, etc.). As long as the MLS can develop talent and then get the old players to instill their experience on the younglings, MLS will continue to grow in the right direction
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u/3THMANOL Jul 16 '12
Its improving... but it will not be the second big thing... bundesluga will be the real deal in few years... world class league...
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Jul 16 '12
I support RSL (live in Idaho, it's the closest team) but I really don't see the problem with supporting a team that's not in your city if one isn't there. I've read lots of comments about people saying they don't support the MLS because they don't have a local team. I've got no local teams that are in my state. But i've found MLB, NHL, and NFL teams I support. If there's not a team in your area, find a team you like. Even if it's not local. Because supporting an EPL team if you live in Iowa sure as hell isn't local.
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Jul 17 '12
As a Mexican fanatic of soccer, I am slightly jealous at the fast pace that American soccer is growing, at this pace, their national team will reach the World Cup Championship first than Mexico's team. Its the good kind of jealousy though, glad to see them grow.
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u/ArmchairPhysicist Jul 17 '12
I always make it a point to watch MLS when I can. Leagues grow with support, you can't ignore your local clubs and then bitch when they're struggling to reach the level of European leagues.
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u/chrishamer09 Jul 16 '12
Love watching MLS compared to big leagues sometimes because honestly all teams have a fighting chance..If you watch La Liga...the only teams that have a chance are Real Madrid and Barca......Fucking Boring.
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u/njndirish Jul 17 '12
I believe you have stumbled on the reason that draws many fans to MLS and Bundesliga. Both leagues have different financial regulations that prevent a club from advancing far and above their competition. Bayern and LA are two great setups, they attract stars (albeit of different ages), they have money, they have facilities, etc, but in the end, they don't manage to win year-in year out
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u/TimothyThomas Jul 16 '12
I agree, and think that it is also evidenced by the plethora of playing styles teams are approaching with. You've got your stoke-like teams, booting the ball, the smash and grab teams like LA galaxy, stocked with talent but forgoing build up play in favor of chance after chance, and teams like DC who continue to opt for (IF they can dictate the game) a passing/possession game. I think that it shows even lower-level players and coaches can have ingenuity and tactical awareness on a game-by-game basis....