Area 51 Sports Network

Local Sports. Local Source.

Blog Vancouver Whitecaps FC

How to fix MLS

Byjoshuarey

Jan 17, 2023

Major League Soccer or MLS for short, is the biggest soccer league in North America.

Soccer has always been seen as an afterthought in Canada and the United States where football, basketball, baseball and hockey are bigger. However, the rise of MLS, the Canadian and American men’s and women’s teams and lower leagues such as the Canadian Premier League and United Soccer League are growing the game across the continent. Oh yeah, Canada, the US and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup which will grow the game further.

The Vancouver Whitecaps start their 2023 MLS campaign on February 25 and are currently in Marbella, Spain for preseason.

So far, it has been kind of a quiet offseason for the Whitecaps. Karifa Yao and Mathias Laborda have been brought in to bolster the defence but the club has been linked to Israeli international Tai Baribo who plays for Wolfsberger in the Austrian league. The ‘Caps are going to play them in Spain on January 21 so make of that what you will. Throughout the season, the Area 51 Sports Network will have out-of-this-world Whitecaps coverage.

But let’s talk about MLS as a whole today.

There are things that people don’t like about MLS: the quality of play, retirement league etc. The league isn’t perfect and people will always have issues with it.

So here is how I would fix MLS. Keep in mind, I don’t expect these things to happen.

#1: Get rid of the Discovery Rights rule

I never liked this rule and most MLS fans don’t.

The Discovery Rights rule is simple: Once a team enters negotiations with an international player, other MLS clubs can’t start a bidding war. Sounds stupid right?

What’s wrong with having a bidding war? It makes great entertainment! It also gives the players options around MLS to choose from. Plus, the league has seen plenty of parity over the last decade. Since 2013, there have been nine different MLS Cup winners and the Seattle Sounders are the only team to win it twice since then.

The reason why the MLS has the Discovery Rights rule is parity. They want to give smaller clubs such as the Colorado Rapids to sign touted international players instead of having them all go to a bigger club like Los Angeles Galaxy.

But you see teams trade General Allocation Money for a player’s Discovery Rights and it is kind of ridiculous. Let teams have a bidding war and make the fight for the players they want.

#2: Bring back the two legs in the playoffs

The playoff format is fine. It’s kind of similar to the NFL where the highest seed in each conference gets a first-round bye. #2 plays #7, #3 plays #6 and #4 plays #5 in the first round.

However, as the league continues to expand, the playoff format might need to change. They could possibly do #1 vs #8 as the NBA does and as the NHL used to but that’s another story.

MLS has had single-game knockouts for the playoffs since 2019. Before that, they had the conference semi-finals and conference finals as two legs and the first round and MLS Cup Final are single-game knockouts.

In my opinion, they should go back to that. The reason they changed it was to drive up TV revenue and make the playoffs go quicker. Don’t get me wrong, I like the single-game knockouts but having the conference semi-finals and conference finals two legs adds to the intensity and both teams get to host a playoff game.

#3: Every team must play each other at least once

In many soccer leagues around the world, (I’m pretty sure all) the teams play each other at least once. In MLS, that doesn’t happen.

For example, the Whitecaps have not played Inter Miami yet. They have only played Orlando City SC once in club history.

It just feels wrong that some teams don’t play each other. It would be cool to see the Whitecaps travel to Mercedes Benz Stadium to play Atlanta United.

I believe all MLS teams should play each other at least once. Therefore, I propose the league gets rid of conferences and have divisions. Credit to Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini for this idea. He’s spoken about this to us media folk when the cameras weren’t rolling. It’s a good one though he might disagree with my placements of teams.

Here are my proposed divisions.

Pacific Division

Vancouver Whitecaps

Seattle Sounders

Portland Timbers

San Jose Earthquakes

LA Galaxy

LAFC

Midwest Division

Real Salt Lake

Colorado Rapids

Sporting Kansas City

Houston Dynamo

FC Dallas

Austin FC

Central Division

Minnesota United

Chicago Fire

St. Louis SC

Nashville SC

Columbus Crew

FC Cincinnati

Southeast Division

Charlotte FC

Atlanta United

Inter Miami

Orlando City SC

DC United

Northeast Division

Toronto FC

CF Montreal

New England Revolution

New York Red Bulls

New York City FC

Philadelphia Union

So every team in those divisions plays each other twice. That means the Whitecaps would play the Sounders and Timbers as well as the California teams home and away. The Whitecaps would play every other team once whether that is at BC Place or on the road.

You might have noticed flaws with this system. First, the Southeast Division has only five teams instead of six like the others. That is because MLS currently has 29 teams and one division had to be uneven.

The second is that the Whitecaps for example would play 10 divisional games and 24 games against the other teams assuming MLS keeps the current 34-game schedule. But, there are 23 other teams and one team will be left out.

Back to the playoff format for minute. With no conferences, it will look a little different for the 14 teams that make the playoffs. That could mean we could have west vs east matchups but with this new division system could change the format to something else.

You might also be saying that St. Louis and Kansas City should be in the same division. Well, this system could only be fixed by expansion. For example, if MLS decides to award a team to Las Vegas, SKC could move into the Central Division.

When (not if) the league decides to expand again, this kind of format should be considered so every team can play each other at least once.

#4: Have Relegation

This one kind of feels far-fetched but one can dream, right?

The biggest reason why many soccer fans don’t take MLS seriously is that no one gets relegated. In a perfect world, teams should get relegated from MLS.

Here is what I propose: Three teams get relegated whether that is to the USL or CPL. The teams that replace them are the CPL champions, the USL champions and the USL runner-ups.

Relegation would help grow the game to its full potential in Canada and the US and the league will be more respected.

The Whitecaps have been lucky that there isn’t relegation because if there were, they would have been banished to the CPL after the 2019 season. DC United would also have been relegated to the USL a while ago.

Unfortunately, relegation means financial losses. Teams that get relegated to lower league leagues mean less revenue and that means a lower wage bill and lower transfer budget. When teams get relegated that means less support from fans and that leads to fewer season ticket members and lower TV ratings.

Also the MLS salary cap is very complicated. I won’t get into it all but relegation and promotion could make things…even more complicated.

How would you fix MLS? Let me know in the comments below!

By joshuarey

I am the head blog editor at the Area 51 Sports network. You can find me writing about the Whitecaps and other sports here. I also host the Terminal City FC Podcast with Nathan Durec I am also a site expert at The Canuck Way and a graduate of Langara's Journalism program When I am not writing you can find me surfing the internet, watching movies, listening to rock and rap music or eating pizza.

Related Post

Blog Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps start bright; end up losing 2-1 to RSL

Sep 23, 2023 Nathan Durec
Blog Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps crash back to Earth against the Dynamo

Sep 20, 2023 joshuarey
Blog Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks traded Tanner Pearson: It is what it is

Sep 19, 2023 joshuarey
331 thoughts on “How to fix MLS”

  24. http://www.articles.gappoo.com/Articles-of-2020/copper-bracelets
    https://itswashington.com/page/business-services/feraco-jewelry
    https://freesbmlinksforyou.com/page/business-services/copper-bracelet-for-women
    https://seoanalyzersite.com/page/business-services/magnetic-bracelet-for-pain
    https://bestsbmsites.com/page/business-services/men-s-magnetic-therapy-jewelry
    https://bookmarkgolden.net/page/business-services/copper-magnetic-bracelets
    https://blogsbmsites.com/page/business-services/hematite-magnetic-bracelets
    https://besthealthcaretips.net/page/business-services/magnetic-cuff-bracelets
    https://offpagesites.com/page/business-services/magnetic-therapy-necklace
    https://bookmarkavailable.com/page/business-services/pain-bracelet
    https://bestsiteslist.org/page/business-services/arthritis-bracelets-for-womens-
    https://highauthoritysiteslist.com/page/business-services/hematite-magnetic-bracelet-
    https://onlinewebmarks.net/page/business-services/magnetic-therapy-with-bracelets
    https://newsbmsiteslist.com/page/business-services/men-s-best-magnetic-bracelets-
    https://bestsbmsiteslist.com/page/business-services/well-crafted-

  73. To the area51sportsnet.com webmaster, You always provide great examples and real-world applications, thank you for your valuable contributions.

  173. ed medications online [url=http://cheapestedpills.com/#]erection pills[/url] best over the counter ed pills

  177. [url=https://pharmacyreview.best/#]canadian pharmacies[/url] canadian pharmacy near me

  182. [url=https://propecia1st.science/#]cost of cheap propecia prices[/url] get propecia online

  185. best erection pills [url=http://cheapestedpills.com/#]best non prescription ed pills[/url] impotence pills

  192. buying amoxicillin in mexico: [url=http://amoxicillins.com/#]amoxicillin azithromycin[/url] amoxicillin generic brand

  194. can i buy amoxicillin over the counter: [url=https://amoxicillins.com/#]generic amoxicillin[/url] buy amoxicillin 250mg

  200. canadian pharmacy meds review reputable canadian online pharmacies or canadian pharmacy cheap
    http://changeinyou.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=certifiedcanadapharm.store canadian neighbor pharmacy
    [url=http://paodeacucarviva.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=certifiedcanadapharm.store]canadian pharmacy india[/url] 77 canadian pharmacy and [url=http://bbs.cheaa.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2925537]canadian pharmacy 24h com[/url] canadian pharmacy antibiotics

  202. canada discount pharmacy [url=https://certifiedcanadapharm.store/#]the canadian pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacy uk delivery

  207. buying prescription drugs in mexico online mexican pharmaceuticals online or best online pharmacies in mexico
    http://seniorhelpers.tv/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mexpharmacy.sbs purple pharmacy mexico price list
    [url=http://danchess.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mexpharmacy.sbs]п»їbest mexican online pharmacies[/url] purple pharmacy mexico price list and [url=http://bbs1.857moli.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=426722]pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa[/url] pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa

  209. pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa [url=https://mexpharmacy.sbs/#]mexico pharmacies prescription drugs[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico

  213. canadian pharmacy 24 canadian pharmacy ed medications or canadian pharmacy ratings
    http://eclipseemporio.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=certifiedcanadapharm.store pet meds without vet prescription canada
    [url=http://cloud9wine.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=certifiedcanadapharm.store]canadian mail order pharmacy[/url] canadian online drugstore and [url=http://www.whatsapap.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=457091]real canadian pharmacy[/url] best canadian pharmacy

  218. best india pharmacy [url=http://indiamedicine.world/#]top 10 pharmacies in india[/url] indian pharmacy online

  220. mexican rx online buying from online mexican pharmacy or buying from online mexican pharmacy
    http://doctorsdialogue.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mexpharmacy.sbs mexican mail order pharmacies
    [url=http://elettrodomestico.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mexpharmacy.sbs]pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa[/url] п»їbest mexican online pharmacies and [url=https://slovakia-forex.com/members/207788-kbiibsjerb]mexico pharmacies prescription drugs[/url] pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa

  224. reliable canadian online pharmacy [url=https://certifiedcanadapharm.store/#]ordering drugs from canada[/url] canada rx pharmacy

  227. top 10 pharmacies in india india pharmacy or buy prescription drugs from india
    http://tuxedoparktowneandcountrypropertiesllc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=indiamedicine.world india pharmacy
    [url=http://surfoxsystem.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=indiamedicine.world]top 10 online pharmacy in india[/url] indian pharmacies safe and [url=http://www.aiwujie.wang/home.php?mod=space&uid=1341977]top online pharmacy india[/url] world pharmacy india

  231. canadian pharmacy in canada [url=http://certifiedcanadapharm.store/#]canadian mail order pharmacy[/url] legal to buy prescription drugs from canada

  243. where to get zithromax over the counter [url=https://azithromycin.men/#]where can you buy zithromax[/url] zithromax tablets for sale

  249. generic zithromax india order zithromax without prescription or zithromax 500 mg lowest price pharmacy online
    http://agelesscreativity.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=azithromycin.men zithromax order online uk
    [url=http://www.blinskylaw.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=azithromycin.men]zithromax online australia[/url] zithromax cost canada and [url=https://masterbationtube.com/user/fkbmsdoekz/videos]zithromax 500 mg[/url] zithromax price canada

  252. neurontin 50mg cost [url=http://gabapentin.pro/#]cost of neurontin[/url] buy cheap neurontin

  270. ciprofloxacin mail online cipro ciprofloxacin or ciprofloxacin 500mg buy online
    http://stifamily.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ciprofloxacin.ink ciprofloxacin generic
    [url=http://customdailyvitamins.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ciprofloxacin.ink]cipro 500mg best prices[/url] ciprofloxacin generic and [url=http://www.sempre-roma.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=469545]ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price[/url] ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price

  276. can i buy avodart without dr prescription where to buy cheap avodart without rx or can you get generic avodart without insurance
    http://malazy.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=avodart.pro can i get cheap avodart without prescription
    [url=https://ultramar-ti.com/redirect/Index.asp?url=http://avodart.pro]cost avodart without prescription[/url] can i get cheap avodart without prescription and [url=http://forum.meogames.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=8838274]can i buy generic avodart prices[/url] where to buy avodart

  283. online canadian pharmacy [url=http://certifiedcanadapills.pro/#]canadian pharmacy meds[/url] canadian pharmacy drugs online

  288. best india pharmacy [url=https://indiapharmacy.cheap/#]reputable indian online pharmacy[/url] pharmacy website india

  320. To announce true to life rumour, follow these tips:

    Look fitted credible sources: https://apexlifestyle.co.uk/statamic/bundles/pags/?news-brought-by-balthasar-to-romeo.html. It’s material to secure that the news outset you are reading is reputable and unbiased. Some examples of reliable sources include BBC, Reuters, and The Different York Times. Interpret multiple sources to pick up a well-rounded view of a particular news event. This can help you get a more over facsimile and escape bias. Be hep of the angle the article is coming from, as set respected telecast sources can be dressed bias. Fact-check the gen with another fountain-head if a expos‚ article seems too lurid or unbelievable. Forever make inevitable you are reading a fashionable article, as news can change quickly.

    By means of following these tips, you can evolve into a more in the know news reader and best know the everybody everywhere you.

  331. Anna Berezina is a renowned framer and demagogue in the deal with of psychology. With a offing in clinical psychology and extensive probing circumstance, Anna has dedicated her craft to understanding sensitive behavior and unstable health: https://historydb.date/wiki/Get_to_Know_Anna_Berezina_An_Exceptional_Desktop_Support_Technician. By virtue of her achievement, she has made impressive contributions to the grassland and has become a respected thought leader.

    Anna’s mastery spans various areas of emotions, including cognitive screwball, unmistakable psychology, and passionate intelligence. Her voluminous knowledge in these domains allows her to victual valuable insights and strategies as individuals seeking offensive proliferation and well-being.

    As an inventor, Anna has written some instrumental books that drink garnered widespread recognition and praise. Her books put up for sale practical information and evidence-based approaches to help individuals decoy fulfilling lives and evolve resilient mindsets. By combining her clinical adroitness with her passion quest of dollop others, Anna’s writings have resonated with readers all the world.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *